The Republicans, John McCain and their corporate benefactors, the oil companies, finally believe they have an issue with which they can hoodwink the public into voting Republican. Given the recent spike in oil prices, they believe they can finally convince the public we should dig up the Alaskan tundra and commence extensive offshore drilling. However, there are certain steps we should take as a nation prior to even considering such action.

People may not be aware that when Congress originally authorized the Alaskan pipeline to deliver North Slope oil to Prince William Sound, the agreement was that all Alaskan oil would be used for domestic purposes. We were not allowed to export Alaskan oil. When Republicans took control of Congress in 1995, they quietly removed the prohibition against the exportation of Alaskan oil. That’s right folks. We are now exporting Alaskan oil to Asia.

At the same time, the Republican Congress was removing the prohibition, oil companies were closing down Western refineries. Our own Sen. Ron Wyden conducted an investigation in the mid-1990s and discovered internal documentation indicating the purpose of exporting oil and closing down the refineries was to jack up prices on the West Coast. It is obvious the oil companies were successful.

The oil companies are sitting on numerous leases, simply refusing to drill. Just a short time ago, the Democrats proposed a “use it or lose it” law that would have mandated the oil companies drill on the leases they already have or forfeit them. That bill failed in the face of unified Republican opposition, which was the course backed by oil companies.

At one time it might have seemed reasonable to open up some drilling off our coasts. In light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision vastly reducing the damages awarded in the Exxon Valdez case, it would be suicidal to do so, as the oil companies would factor in the potential costs in damages in a lawsuit and determine the cost-benefit analysis would protect them from any real damages should a massive spill occur.

At one time I thought Sen. McCain was a straight shooter. Since winning the Republican nomination, he has flip-flopped on numerous issues including his once principled stand against offshore drilling. It is somewhat pathetic to see him pandering to the far right and further engaging in slimy and reprehensible campaign tactics against Barack Obama.

Sen. McCain has forfeited his credibility and the Republican party has forfeited what credibility its moderate wing once had. As I write this letter, gas prices are beginning to fall. Since Sen. McCain attempted to blame Barack Obama for the spike in gas prices perhaps he might have a few good words for him now that prices are beginning to fall.

I don’t think the American voters are going to be hoodwinked and bamboozled this year. I, like many others, am looking forward to Jan. 20, 2009.