Show-Me State of Mind for May 21st, 2008

A Representative Who Won't Ask for Exxon's Permission
A woman from Holt County recently shared her story with me. Each month, this retiree must drive to Kansas City to receive an eye treatment for a severe disorder that could cause her to lose her sight. And last month, she had to skip her appointment - because she could not afford to fill her gas tank for the drive.
This story was a clear reminder that Missourians need someone who will stand up to oil and gas companies in the midst of the current gas crisis. Unfortunately, Missouri's 6th District residents do not have such an ally in Washington.
Congressman Sam Graves recently took credit for providing Missourians "relief from high gas prices." He voted to suspend additions to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, despite a long record of doing just the opposite. In both 2004 and 2005, Graves voted against doing just this. I wish I could applaud Graves for voting in support of a Democratic sponsored bill that will help ease consumers' pain at the pump. But this change in position is clearly election-year politics in action.
Sam Graves is attempting to clean up a seven-year record of siding with Exxon and the big oil companies who bankroll his campaigns, rather than with consumers here in Missouri. In fact, Graves only votes for bills that Exxon and Big Oil approve of. That's the price of receiving more than $50,000 in campaign contributions from these companies: only 14 members of Congress received more support from Exxon than Graves since 2006.
When Graves had the opportunity just a few months ago to take some of the billions in tax breaks and giveaways from oil companies and redirect them to renewable energy projects here in Missouri, he voted the way Big Oil told him to, which was "No." So our Congressman again turned his back against cutting their giveaways and against supporting renewable energy.
We need a Representative who won't ask Exxon for permission before voting for good energy bills that will provide relief for everyday Missourians.
Kay Barnes is a candidate for U.S. representative for Missouri's 6th Congressional District