Hit Them Hard; Hit Them Fast; and Hit Them Often

The GOP has a golden opportunity to crush the Democrats over their refusal to debate a future American energy policy. House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi scurried away from her responsibility to the American people on Friday by adjourning the house for a five-week vacation at a time when most Americans are struggling to cope with high energy costs and the inability to afford five weeks of vacation (indeed, most folks do not get five weeks of vacation through their employers).

Now, while I wouldn't mind Congress being on vacation more often since that generally safeguards the personal rights and freedoms of all Americans, Pelosi and her craven Democratic party buddies are abdicating their responsibility under the US Constitution to provide for the common defense and general welfare.

Energy policy is vital to the common defense and general welfare. It's an integral part of the economy and the failure to deal with surging energy costs is a colossal failure on the part of Democrats.

The GOP seized on this matter on Friday, and while they didn't go nearly far enough with their actions then, this fight is only just beginning. The GOP has to hammer this point home for every single day during Pelosi's forced recess.

The Democrats simply do not have a viable energy policy. Some moderate Democrats in the Senate have realized this, which is why you've seen a Gang of 10 form to attempt a bipartisan energy bill. However, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is tied at the hip to Pelosi and the other eco-leftists in a zero-growth energy policy that reduces domestic energy production and ties up power projects in red tape and stifles innovation.

Energy policy clearly resonates with most Americans since they see the tangible effects of the Democrats' zero-drill policy at the pumps. No amount of conservation will bring down the price of oil, but the high prices are stifling economic growth and affecting the economy in every aspect as energy costs suck up funds that would otherwise go to discretionary spending elsewhere. Indeed, states are seeing motor fuel tax revenues and toll revenues fall as fewer people drive, forcing them to consider still more tax hikes, including resurrecting congestion pricing taxes in New York City.

In a year when the stars seem aligned for a Democrat sweep in Congress and even the Presidency, their odious position on energy has not only opened an opportunity for the GOP, but has reinvigorated the party and given them a golden opportunity to regain seats in Congress in swing districts due to the obstructionist and zero-energy eco-leftist Democrats in charge.

UPDATE:
Game on. The GOP is going to resume its protest of the Democrats' feckless non-energy policy starting tomorrow.