Gas prices continue to rise, the Democrats in Congress dither, and we get burned at the pump.

The Sarasota Herald-Tribune editorial board does their two favorite things: bash President George W. Bush and defend a failed Democratic Congress that has a 9% approval rating. In their editorial, "Offshore politics" they offer the same failed policies of Jimmy Carter.

Their solution to rising gas prices? "Further increase vehicle fuel-efficiency standards...Push for and pass pending legislation that would extend tax credits for producing and using alternative energy...Lower the speed limits on interstates and federal highways."

That's it? Lower speed limits, increase fuel efficiency standards and tax credits? So more government mandates and government largess using my tax dollars. Don't tell me, we will get the money for the tax credits for using and producing alternative energy from - gas taxes!

As I have said many times we have been doing exactly what Democrats wanted for over 30 years. We have mandated higher fuel efficiency standards, provided subsidies to alternative fuels, made it illegal to drill in ANWR, the Outer Continental Shelf and Gulf of Mexico, added ethanol to our fuel, over regulated the oil, coal and natural gas industries, created over 45 blends of gasoline to meet state and federal emission standards, not built a nuclear power plant in 30 years, not built a new gas refinery in nearly 40 years, and finally conserved our hearts out.

What has all this gotten us? $4.00 a gallon gasoline that is dragging down our economy, making the food we eat more expensive, costing us jobs and causing businesses to fail. We have created more pollution in the Gulf of Mexico from fertilizer run off raising the corn to make ethanol. Taken over 23 million acres of farm land that used to produce food to feed Americans and the poor overseas to make fuel for our SUVs. Kept the cleanest form of power generation, nuclear, off the table. Shifted our energy production from coal, of which we have an abundance, to more expensive oil, natural gas, wind and solar.

Finally, we spend from $650 billion to $1 trillion to buy our oil from overseas. That is the largest transfer of wealth in American history. Some of that money goes to fund those who want to kill us. Just think what that $1 trillion could do here. More jobs, lower gas prices, lower food prices, and a stronger economy.

I sat on a SCOPE committee that looked at having 50% of existing buildings and 100% of new construction have solar water heaters in Sarasota County in five years. This idea should have never made it to the discussion level because it is impossible. But those committed environmentalists and solar power proponents on the committee pushed it until now Sarasota County government is involved. The committee ignored the facts. For example, since 1998 Lakeland County, FL has had an incentive program through their electric utility. The heavily subsidized program in fact installed solar water heaters in only 60 homes. That's it.

Even when highly subsidized with Federal, state and county tax rebates like in Hawaii only 25% of people opted for a solar water heater system. Why? People want cheap and reliable power. Solar and wind do not provide that. Ethanol does not currently provide that. In fact, it takes more than a gallon of oil to produce a gallon of ethanol when you factor in the life cycle of growing corn or other biomass fuels.

As President Bush said we don't have time to wait. The onus is now on Congress to do something. All other road blocks to drilling have been removed by the President. Is this a political issue? Of course. Anything that impacts my pocket book is a political issue. Gas prices is a political issue, just ask your neighbor, unless of course he or she is a member of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune editorial board.

You see Democrats and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune want you to pay more for gasoline. They believe they are saving you from yourself. Personally, I can take care of myself without your help Barack, Harry, Nancy, and Tom.