U.S. oil production in 2007 was only 59% of what it was in 1980. (Congress, Democrats)

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Obama is Channeling Jimmy Carter
August 03, 2008 10:01 AM EST

By Alan Caruba

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter set in motion the energy crisis that America is experiencing today. He was aided by a Democrat-controlled Congress that imposed a Domestic Crude Oil Windfall Profits tax on oil companies who he blamed for the crisis that had led to long lines at gas stations. It was, however, the OPEC nations, not the oil companies, that decided to force up the price of oil.

In tandem with the tax, Carter announced that any attempt by an outside force to gain control of the Persian Gulf region would be regarded as a threat to U.S. interests, in effect taking on the responsibility to defend the area. U.S. flags went up on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and the U.S. Navy became responsible for protecting them.

What followed was a twenty-eight year decline in the U.S. oil industry as Democrats set about doing everything they could to eliminate the exploration and extraction of oil (and natural gas) in the United States.

The drilling rig count fell from 4,530 in 1981 to 488 in 1999.

U.S. oil production in 2007 was only 59% of what it was in 1980.

Today, 65% of the U.S. oil demand is imported from foreign countries.

Read the rest of the story at:Obama is Channeling Jimmy Carter by Alan Caruba