Barnes ties Graves to Cheney on oil.

While American consumers are getting slammed at the gas pumps and oil companies report record profits, the only solution Republicans can come up with is to send Vice President Dick Cheney to the Middle East to beg OPEC to take pity on us and lower oil prices. At the same time, Missouri 6th District Congressman Sam Graves stands by the big oil companies and their tax breaks while voting against legislation to fund alternative fuels that will help break our dependence on foreign oil.

Kay Barnes, candidate for the 6th District, issued the following statement:

“Sending Dick Cheney to the Middle East to beg OPEC to take pity on the United States makes it apparent now more than ever that the Bush Administration has lost touch with the day to day economic struggles of American families. As we pay more than $3.20 a gallon at the pump, its time for our government to get serious about a real energy policy in this country. Dick Cheney has been the leading advocate for the failed energy policies that George Bush has promoted in the White House and Sam Graves has supported in Congress. Just two weeks ago Graves once again joined Bush and Cheney and stood with the big oil companies and defended their tax breaks while voting against using those tax dollars to fund alternative energies like ethanol, solar and wind power. You cannot expect the persons who caused this problem to be part of the solution. And that is why we need a change in leadership in Washington."

Cheney is leaving for the Middle East on Sunday.

See: http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=8388615&msgid=114246&act=JEFV&c=230867&admin=0&destination=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/10/mideast/cheney.php
On February 27 Graves voted against the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Act, which would reverse the unwarranted tax breaks that President Bush and the previous Congress handed over to the big oil companies, which this year have shown world-record profits, and redirect them instead toward renewable energy sources. The production tax credits and other incentives in the legislation for alternatives like wind energy and ethanol facilities would benefit many Northwest Missouri communities.