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Sunday, June 29, 2008
(Updated) Monday: Join Protests of Pearce Policies at the Pump
UPDATE: Bryan Barash over at the Tom Udall blog was at two of this morning's protests and has feedback and photos. Check it out and also learn about the Udall campaign's new text messaging service, TextMyTom.
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From the Democratic Party of New Mexico: On Monday, locals will protest Steve Pearce's choice to support Big Oil, while New Mexicans suffer at the pumps.
WHAT: Pearce = Pain at the Pump protest
WHO: Outraged Consumers
WHEN: Monday, June 30, 2008 at 10:00 AM
WHERE: Albuquerque, Clovis and Las Cruces, NM
- Albuquerque: Phillips 66, 4th and Montano; Diamond Shamrock, 2550 Central SE; Diamond Shamrock, 3440 Isleta Boulevard SW
- Clovis: Town & Country #248, 3412 North Prince
- Las Cruces: Brewer Oil Co Inc. Shell Self-Serve, 2512 E Lohman Ave.
"Pearce has repeatedly voted against measures that would help lower gas prices. New Mexicans deserve leaders that will fight for lower gas prices and not for Big Oil's record profits," Josh Geise, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of New Mexico.
Pearce has opposed legislation that would:
- Make price gouging by Big Oil a crime
- Take away $14 billion dollar tax breaks from Big Oil
- Increase fuel efficiency standards to get more miles per gallon
- Require utilities to produce 15% of electricity through renewable energy like wind or solar energy
More Criticism of Pearce
Americans United for Change also issued a statement criticizing Steve Pearce on his energy stance, including his vote last week against legislation that aimed to lower gas prices and end profiteering by Big Oil barons and energy speculators.
“It’s almost unfathomable that at a time when his constituents are having to choose between putting gas in their cars or food on their tables that Rep. Pearce would block common-sense legislation that would provide tangible relief and lead the way to a cleaner, more secure energy future,” said Caren Benjamin, deputy executive director of Americans United for Change, the progressive issue-advocacy group behind this summer’s Bush Legacy Tour. (The Tour will stop in Albuquerque in August, on its way to the Dem Convention in Denver.)
“This is just another – particularly egregious – example of how some members of Congress are putting loyalty to their corporate sponsors and to President Bush’s conservative corporate-driven agenda above the needs of the people they were elected to represent,” Benjamin added.
In lock-step with President Bush and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Rep. Pearce voted against the “Use It or Lose It” bill, which would compel the oil industry to start drilling on the 68 million acres which they are currently warehousing or be barred from obtaining any more federal drilling leases until they demonstrate that they are diligently developing those lands.
“Clearly, Rep. Pearce is out of touch with the needs of the people of New Mexico,” Benjamin said. “He must be held accountable.”
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June 29, 2008 at 02:24 PM in 2008 NM Senate Race, Democratic Party, Energy | Permalink
Comments
I love this idea, but is it really hitting the point home when you protest at one of the cheapest gas stations in town? The phillips at 4th and montano is almost always ranked lowest in the city if not, they run a close second to the phillips on 4th and griegos. Many times I have found them to be as cheap or cheaper than costco. I just think it would look better to protest at the highest priced stations. My two cents, go Udall!
Posted by: woodstock | Jun 30, 2008 8:24:19 AM
This whole thing puts me in a weird mental loop. I WANT gas prices to go up. Six bucks or bust. But I certainly don't want to give any credit to Steve Pearce, who is almost certainly the Devil Incarnate "Southern New Mexico Texan-Wannabe" Division.
Same thing with what is sure to be a hyper-recurring litany of Obama railing against higher gas prices for the next few months. I guess I can live with it as long as Obama wins in a landslide, Pearce gets his inevitable butt-kicking and the next Congress REALLY does something about alternative fuels.
It will be a cringe-filled few months for us "six bucks or bust" folks along these lines, however.
P.S.: I won't even MENTION the idea of nationalizing the energy industry, along the lines of Hugo Chavez. How about we "six bucks or bust" people just keep that idea under wraps...wouldn't want to SCARE possible mainstream Obama voters or anything.
Posted by: | Jun 30, 2008 10:31:27 AM
It's more than cruel to want gas prices to go up. You may be able to afford it but what about low income and retired people on fixed incomes? Even if they don't drive much or at all they will be battered financially by high gas prices because the costs will be added into everything they buy like food, clothing, housing, school supplies, you name it. Not only are these things transported mostly by vehicles burning gasoline, but so many of our day to day items are made using petroleum products.
High gas prices can push people to take public transportation but what about people who live where there is none or not much? How are they supposed to get to work, school, etc?
Why can't we move into the anti-oil economy without forcing the most vulnerable among us to suffer? You can rest assured that as gas prices continue to rise, the monied classes will keep driving big hogs and being piggish consumers no matter what while the more impoverished will be begging for milk and bread.
Posted by: Old Dem | Jun 30, 2008 10:54:29 AM
This demonstration is great step in the right direction to lower gas prices. I have another idea that is easy to participate in and could really have an impact.
I’m part of a campaign to boycott Exxon Mobil, the current leader in profits during this energy crisis. It is hosted on The Point, a new social action website. Check it out here https://www.thepoint.com/campaigns/send-a-message-to-the-oil-companies/overview
Hopefully, we can all do something about this terrible injustice
Posted by: | Jun 30, 2008 12:31:44 PM
Well, I went to the demonstration at 4th and Montano. What a hoot. Stewart Dyson interviewed me regarding why we were there, there were about 10 people with me, and then the station manager changed the price of gas up ten cents per gallon. While we were there! In fact, while Stewart Dyson was there, and they filmed him changing the price. They certainly played into our hands. Watch Channel 4 tonight, that will be a hoot with them raising the price WHILE we were protesting.
Terry Riley
Posted by: Terry Riley | Jun 30, 2008 3:48:31 PM
