The cost of gasoline is too high. The price for oil by the barrel is outrageously priced. Everyone is crying for lower gas prices but our own government won’t give us what we want. Our own government is bickering over whether we should drill for oil on our own land. Our own leaders aren’t taking the American citizen’s seriously when we say that we want lower gas prices and come November, there will be some government leaders out of a job.

Congress is so dead against helping their fellow citizens with more affordable gas prices that we suffered this summer on family vacations. With excuses of saving the planet, our own government leaders can’t decide on what to do. Sounds like a “no incumbent” vote for this November.

It’s not a matter of saving the planet to drill on our own land for oil in places that are sparsely populated like North Dakota and Montana. It’s not a matter of saving the planet when President Bush lifted the 18 year ban on off-shore drilling last month to help with the price of gas at the pump. With off-shore drilling as safe as ever, we could use the oil for ourselves and not have to depend on foreign oil. It’s not a matter of saving the planet when we have the resources to help ourselves without hurting the environment. The Democrats in Congress are so against any drilling anywhere that they are willing to shut the government down to prevent it.

They don’t seem to really care about what we have to pay at the pump. While the American people suffer from record-high gas prices, the message we get is loud and clear from the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi: Go home for vacation and we will deal with it later. While in the middle of the Republicans’ speaking in behalf of the high gas price and the need for drilling on U.S. property for more oil, Ms Pelosi turned off the microphones and the lights to stop the discussion. Someone with some sense needs to be in charge so we can stop dragging our feet about using our own resources to help our own country’s citizens.

It’s frustrating to see this nonsense continue in our nation’s capital, but we are the ones who voted them in. We can be the ones who vote them out and maybe by the New Year, we will have national leaders who are sensible enough to use or nation’s resources wisely and we can get back to under $2.00 a gallon of gas again. One could only hope.

Loxley resident Valerie J. Steimle is the author of two books, “Home Is Where The Heart Is, A look at strengthening the American Family,” and her latest book, “Home Is Where The Learning Is” (www.amazon.com/gp/product/1403379637). Contact her at valeriesteimle@yahoo.com or visit her website at www.stengthenyourhome.com.