May 1, 2008
Congressional
Candidate Tracey Brooks Blasts the Bush Administration and Big Oil
Companies for Record Gas Prices and Record Profits Brooks Discussed Failed Policies of the Past and Proposed Solutions for the Future Congressional
Candidate Tracey Brooks today laid out her commitment to help
middle-class families deal with crushing gas and related food prices,
by proposing short-term conservation and long-term alternative energy
solutions. Brooks blasted the Bush Administration’s failed
policies which have resulted in high prices at the pump and big oil
companies’ record-breaking profits.
“After another
record-breaking quarter of big oil profits, today’s Siena poll showing
that 70 percent of us are paying more for gas and food, and with local
gas prices already touching $4.00, it’s clear that we need change in
Washington and help here in the Capital Region,” said Brooks standing
in front of an Exxon station on Central Avenue in Albany.
“The
Bush Administration’s failed energy, economic and foreign policies have
led to a weakening economy with stagnant wages, continued job loss and
a looming recession,” continued Brooks. “Republicans in Washington and
Albany continue to fight for the status quo. After thirty years
of the same failed ideas, a lack of any real energy plan, and an
inability to pass meaningful legislation they should have learned their
lesson. We need a new kind a leadership that will be effective
and make real change to keep gas prices in check.”
Brooks’
proposals hit on key structural problems in the U.S. energy and foreign
policy, as well as, touched on ways individuals can weather the
economic storm. “We can start with short-term conservation practices
like providing tax incentives for fuel efficient cars, maintaining air
pressure in our tires, and walking or car-pooling more but we really
need to address the long-term fundamental issues.”
“We
need to start by bringing our troops home from Iraq and reinvesting the
war’s $12 billion monthly price tag right back here at home. We must
end tax loopholes for oil companies and instead invest in alternative
fuels and renewable energy. We must continue to push the auto industry
to increase gas mileage and we absolutely must end this eight-year
practice of unnecessary price-gouging on the part of big oil companies.”
Brooks’
long-term energy solution also includes both federal and state energy
plans and more investment in renewable energy businesses that will also
bring more jobs and better wages to the region.
“I’m
committed to helping solve this problem by fighting to reduce our
dependence on oil, calling for smart investments in renewable
energy and energy-efficiency technology that will create green
jobs here in the Capital Region,” said Brooks. “We can no longer have a
government that puts the profits of oil companies ahead of the needs of
the people.”
Brooks pointed out that Exxon Mobil
today announced that their first-quarter net income rose 17 percent to
$10.89 billion and profits increased by 10 percent. Shell and BP's
combined first-quarter profits topped $17 billion. Meanwhile, the price
of gas has recently jumped in the Capital Region to nearly $4.00 a
gallon with prices ranging as high as $3.79 to $3.99, well ahead of the
expected summer increases. The price of crude oil is at an all-time
high, reaching over $120 a barrel. Brooks noted that the Iraq War
has contributed significantly to the pain at the pump with average gas
prices jumping from $1.57 at the start of the war to recent averages
topping $3.61.
As a lifelong resident of the Albany area
and the Capital Region Director for Senator Hillary Clinton for the
last three years, Brooks enters the race with working knowledge of the
problems facing the region and experience in finding solutions to
them.
“I have been bringing our message of change to
all seven counties of the district, meeting with families, listening to
their concerns, and talking about the need for new priorities in
Washington and new leaders, to make real change happen here in the
Capital Region,” Brooks concluded.
To learn more about Tracey Brooks, please visit www.traceybrooks.com.
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