A message for Giffords

Editor:

We have sent the following letter to Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords:

We have both signed Newt Gingrich’s “Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less” petition. After reading Dr. Walter Williams’ recent, well-written essay on speculation and crude oil prices (http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/wew/articles/08/Scapegoating%20Speculators.htm), it is ludicrous to believe that announcing we plan to drill for more oil domestically will not have an immediate, positive impact on oil and gas prices here in the U.S.

The current congressional policy against drilling domestically is especially outrageous, considering China and Cuba are drilling for oil only 60 miles off the Florida coast, an area currently off-limits to U.S. oil companies.

While alternative energy sources are good (choices are always a good thing), it will be many years before they become plentiful, affordable, and economical.

Until that happens, it is economically disastrous that we have to suffer with high energy prices and their effects throughout the entire economy when a simple congressional action would ease this crisis.

In the best interests of the people of your district, the State of Arizona, and the United States, we strongly urge you to vote along with President Bush to remove ALL congressional restrictions for oil drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. ?— Joan & Tom Fava

I urge all like-minded people who are tired of the current high cost of gas and energy to contact their congressperson and demand immediate actionto bring down energy costs.

Thomas F. Fava, Green Valley