Decrease dependence on oil

I found the Republican response to President Obama’s veto of the Keystone XL pipeline very revealing. In fact, I’ll use House Speaker John Boehner’s words to describe the Republican majority in Congress as a “national embarrassment!”

I would also like to ask Sen. Mitch McConnell “to what special interest groups does the Republican-controlled Congress yield?” Mmmm, let me guess. Big oil. If we look at the big financial contributors to the Republican campaigns, I would wager to guess that oil companies would be at or near the top of the list.

Exactly how many jobs would be created by this pipeline, and who would benefit? If this pipeline is so important to Canada, let them build the pipeline and the refineries in their own country. Also, I don’t know which Americans Canada’s minister of natural resources spoke to “who are supportive of the project,” but he obviously didn’t speak to the many Americans who oppose this pipeline.

It’s time we take the high road, the road less traveled, and start decreasing our dependence on oil and start embracing clean, renewable energy resources.

Diane Belyea

Spokane