ACTION ALERT: Fight Back Against High Gas Prices And the Politicians Who Will Make them Higher Still

There must be something about springtime in Washington that makes Senators forget where they came from.

Next week, the Senate is set to begin debate on a bill that will raise the price of gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil and aviation fuel.(view this Heritage Foundation state-by-state breakdown to find out how much Warner Lieberman will cost you). It's the Warner-Lieberman global warming bill, and its supporters are as misguided and out-of-touch with the American people as the supporters of last spring's immigration amnesty bill - and we all remember how that turned out.

Our Goal: 100,000 Voices the Senate Can't Ignore

There are two things you can do now to fight back.

First, call or email your Senator and tell him or her to vote "no" on Warner-Lieberman – "no" on raising the cost of driving to work, heating your home, and feeding your family.

Second, visit americansolutions.com/drillnow and sign our "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less" petition.

The petition is simple but powerful. It says:

We, therefore, the undersigned citizens of the United States, petition the U.S. Congress to act immediately to lower gasoline prices by authorizing the exploration of proven energy reserves to reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources from unstable countries.

In just a few short days, over 45,000 Americans have signed the pledge.

And with your help, as the Senate begins to debate Warner-Lieberman, American Solutions will present the names of 100,000 of their constituents who will hold them accountable if they fail to allow America the freedom to use its own energy resources instead of relying on foreign dictators.

Americans truly have a choice – a choice between the Pay More, Send More Money to Foreign Dictators and Cripple America Left and the Produce More, Enjoy More, Pay Less, Stengthen American Center-Right Majority.

Make your choice by visiting americansolutions.com/drillnow.

Keep reading…

Kudos to Congressman Green

I also want to take the time to congratulate a principled Democratic Representative who had the courage to break with his party leadership last week on the issue of domestic energy production.

Congressman Gene Green (D-TX) told CNBC, "We also need more exploration. But we really need to get more oil to the market, particularly from our own country. The best signal we can send to OPEC and anywhere else in the world is maybe not filing a lawsuit against them but actually saying 'we are going to start producing in our own country.'"

All Americans who are concerned about out-of-control prices and our vulnerability to energy blackmail by foreign dictators should appreciate and acknowledge Congressman Green's stand. The only question left is the one posed to Green by the CNBC anchor: "Can you convince the other wings of your party to think like you do?"

"Rediscovering God in America" Goes to Hollywood

Callista and I were thrilled to have our DVD, "Rediscovering God in America" shown at the Warner Theatre on the Warner Studios lot.


Photo Credit: Callista Gingrich, Gingrich Productions

It meant a lot to have nearly 400 people come out in the movie industry to see a film explaining our Creator's role in Washington.

Now I Know Why President Reagan Loved His Ranch

Callista and I also visited the Reagan Library and the Reagan Ranch last week to film some segments for our new documentary on President Reagan, which will be released later this year.


Filming at the Reagan Library, May 21, 2008
Photo Credit: Callista Gingrich, Gingrich Productions

The visit to the ranch was a surprising revelation of the simplicity and strength which President Reagan drew on throughout his presidency. While in office, he and Nancy spent nearly a full year there (360 days in eight years) and it was easy to see why, given the comfort, quiet and natural beauty of the place (we had deer in the nearby field as we were filming). The joys of the Ranch gave President Reagan a sense of comfort, serenity and renewing strength which allowed him to stay focused on the great goals of his administration.


Newt stands at the table where President Reagan signed the 1981 tax cut
Photo Credit: Callista Gingrich, Gingrich Productions

The Young America's Foundation is doing a great job running the ranch and preserving its historic nature. Former Secret Service agent John Barletta was a great host and we recommend his book Riding with Reagan which tells stories about President Reagan that only someone who had been with him for 15 years would have known.


Filming at the Reagan Library, May 21, 2008
Photo Credit: Callista Gingrich, Gingrich Productions

A Bridge to the 21st Century in Minneapolis

Remember the bridge in Minneapolis that collapsed last summer? Columnist Barry Casselman lives three blocks away, and has naturally been concerned with how quickly government can replace the bridge so that life (and traffic) can return to normal in Minneapolis.

In his op-ed Casselman describes how, despite the urging of some, Minneapolis decided against raising taxes and opted instead for innovative, incentives-based contracting to replace the bridge. Thanks to bonuses in the contract for early completion, Casselman writes, the bridge could be open and ready for traffic by the Republican national convention in Minneapolis this September.

This is the kind of 21st century contracting that relies on private sector incentives - instead of bureaucracy and regulation - that could be applied to developing energy sources like clean coal, NASA and the space program, and a whole host of government activity.

Georgia Leads the Nation in School Choice

My home state of Georgia has taken a giant step forward in education reform that deserves more attention.

Governor Sonny Perdue (R) has signed what is reportedly the most expansive school choice law in the nation. Under it, all students and their families in Georgia will be eligible for a scholarship to attend the school of their choice.

My friend Paul Weyrich has more here.

Your friend,

Newt Gingrich

P.S. -- Father's Day is just around the corner and my new novel (with historian William Forstchen) Days of Infamy makes a great gift. It's the second in our Pacific war series. Just click here to get signed copies of both Days of Infamy and Pearl Harbor.

P.P.S. -- "It was his success that really got him excited" These are the words of the mother of a Fulton County, Georgia 8th grader who participated in the "Learn & Earn" program I told you about last week. As I mentioned, my daughter, Jackie Cushman, is one of the innovators behind this pilot project. The official results won't be available for a few weeks, but the anecdotal evidence of how this project is turning around academically struggling young men and women is very encouraging.

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Comments
By judjohns @ Tuesday, June 03, 2008 11:23 AM
As the daughter of an independent petroleum geologist (he is still operating his business in New Mexico 55 years now) I can tell you that the government is the big problem and has been for over 100 years, but ESPECIALLY since the environmentalists took over Washington. In answer to someone's post, yes there are many wells all over New Mexico, it is one of our nations leading oil producing states, but over 80% of the wells in New Mexico, Texas, Arizona and Colorado and Oklahoma and Louisiana are CAPPED since the Jimmy Carter era of false high gas prices, the Windfall Profits Tax (they want to resurrect that one again too) and the rape of our offshore oil fields by other countries.
My dad has a foundation which has gone to Washington for the last 10 to 15 years to try to educate them about the oil industry and the real challenges we face. No one is listening to him or his colleagues. They have gone into the public schools in Southeastern New Mexico to educate kids about responsible energy use and the real issues, fortunately the schools in that area are not so liberal that they refuse to listen to them.
We are headed into a terrible time in this country if we do not rise up and march in the streets over this issue. I fear it may take another "American Revolution" to accomplish real change. And, as another poster said so well, the only REAL answer is TERM LIMITS.
Thank you.
By GripperDon @ Monday, June 02, 2008 10:24 PM
The Eco bunch are by and large anti growth, and really want to puse the USA back to a 1930 standard of living.

What we need is a 1930 population not a reducation pf our standard of living. All sane people want to do REASONABLE things to perserve the enviroment but lrts not throw out out standard of living to perserve selected specises that are not human,

Repeal the farm vote buying law, let us have OUR oil and coal it does not belong to the enviromentalists, same is true for all our resources. The bunch are the most powerful loby in the USA.

The constitutationlet citizens communicate with their government but that doesn't mean a tax exempt group of people that were not elected to rep us, groups larger than 2 ( a family) should not be allowed.

I am not going to buy anything and I mean anything not made in the old USA and I want my oil, coal, ethanol, and anything elso that belowngs to US. !!!!!!!
By wmctlc @ Monday, June 02, 2008 5:21 PM
This article was in today's Virginian-Pilot. Entitled "Sen. Warner, Climate Warrior" it discusses the revalation that the Senator had in becoming this "Climate Warrior". Full of a lot of pie-in-the-sky stuff, I zeroed in on one statement that reads: "There is considerable uncertainty about how the bill would affect the economy, Warner acknowledged...". Then I have to ask Senator....WHY? I have included the link:

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/06/sen-warner-joins-fight-limit-greenhouse-gas-emissions
By RINE @ Monday, June 02, 2008 11:40 AM
There hasn't been global warming in 8 years, did the CO2 level go down?
By harley2 @ Monday, June 02, 2008 11:14 AM
While harry says dril drill drill !CHINA hears him loud and clear.Just heard China An India are slant drilling 50 miles off our coast an taking our oil out our country. HELLO ! Congress an senate,pres,an Mcain ,I guess Cap an trade are much more important.
Is it me or is America under siege from within.
By Wally @ Sunday, June 01, 2008 11:09 PM
Harry Reid Also Said It Best - "Drill, Drill & Drill". **************
Viva Newt! Wolverines!
By JoeHol @ Sunday, June 01, 2008 9:35 PM
Newt, you need to raise the goal to 500,000 signatures. I really believe if you go on all the talk shows (it would be great if you could get on abc, nbc or cbs) and tell everyone that you have raised the goal to 500,000, people will respond. Thanks for your leadership on this issue.
By John Ashman @ Sunday, June 01, 2008 1:39 PM
I think this is fairly easy to frame for all but the furthest left on the scale. "We, as Americans, understand the need to conserve energy and to move towards more environmentally friendly energy sources. However, as we make this progress, we have a more urgent need to protect our economy and our sovereignty by becoming energy independent and that means allowing drilling in all parts of the United States with careful oversight, as well as the construction of more safe and environmentally friendly nuclear energy facility. The prohibitive and near-sighted policies of the past are now costing us dearly in ways that largely could have been avoided. The solution is not only energy conservation and conversion but energy independence"

If people can't understand the need to drill in ANWAR with $4/gallon gas and the threats from dictators to throw our economy into a depression, the heck with it, I'm moving to Mexico where there's term limits, relatively affordable gas, economical vehicles, solar panel ownership programs, affordable healthcare and semi-privatized social security.
By intoler8 @ Saturday, May 31, 2008 9:35 PM
Here is my letter to my congressman, Raul Grijalva. Let me know what you think.

"Dear Mr Grijalva,

Your response to my request for congress to allow businesses to drill our countries national oil resources was not the answer I received from you, nor I or any other American believe it will resolve our immediate energy crisis now or in the future. Do you really think I am that stupid to not understand that what intend to do will have no effect on the immediate problem at hand.

You wrote, quote; "I believe that this nation should adopt a transportation energy policy that emphasizes increased fuel efficiency, combined with support for new technologies that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil while ensuring a healthy environment for future generations. I also believe that we must more closely monitor the markets in fuel commodities. For this reason, I have co-sponsored H.R. 4066, which will give the government's Commodity Futures Trading Commission the authority that it needs to adequately oversee speculation and price manipulation in the energy market.

I will continue to work with my colleagues in the 110th Congress towards energy policies that benefit consumers and the nation in the long term. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. I hope you will keep in touch with me on the issues that matter to you. "

I have no problem with alternative fuels being invented and used, but in the meantime, these technologies don't exist and all of us Americans believe we must use the resources we have to keep our countries economy and military strong and for the security of this nation. Without doing so is going to jeopardize the entire United States with consequences this country has never experienced.

Taxing big oil only leads to taxing the consumer. This doesn't work, so don't send me another canned message telling me your going to do this.

Imposing a token law penalizing investors will not suffice this countries energy needs. Besides, why does government think it can handle and resolve all of our needs in an efficient and better manner? Can I point to the Social Security program (which is in a state of emergency dire need and repair) as one of many big government programs that you and our elected officials said you could do better than us, yet I will be lucky to see a penny of this money when I retire. Yet, I am forced to pay into it without making my own personal and informed decisions to invest my money. It's ludicrous!!

The US government and it's elected officials have proven they cannot handle the citizens of the united states needs in a reasonable manner. Inaction is what I am seeing in our government. Inaction along with blaming big oil and business (who have nothing to do with prices, they are only following the market of supply and demand). We need to let the private market access our oil rich deposits and bring them to market. This will allow private citizens to also make investments to supplement their retirement (because government and social security will not be there for us).

I think you need to read Newt Gingrich’s Book, "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less" because 90% of Americans are being affected and hurt financially by this and you and our elected congress could care less. Also, when we are forced to pay more for energy, guess what happens to our consumer economy and the rest of the worlds economy's when we don't by non energy goods and services? We can't buy goods from china, so they hurt, we can't spend money at the clothing store, so the foreign worker and retail store employees get laid off, truck drivers don't deliver goods such as food and necessary medical supplies to hospitals, etc.

But, you and congress are so smart and know what’s good for us, no you don't!!!!! I am the one out here trying to take care of my family and their needs. The American citizens right of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are only allowed if our congress and government say its ok with them. Sir, you are our politicians are hurting this country with it's partisan politics, antiquated energy laws that don't allow us to drill, make refineries or nuclear power plants.

The decline of this great country is upon us if you and congress fail to not utilize this countries national energy resources. You and congress will be the one to blame when we are no longer able to go to work, buy food and take care of our families and when we cannot afford the price of energy to warm/cool our homes, cook our meals and have sufficient transportation to handle our families needs, and keep America running by paying our taxes and buying goods and services from businesses.


Action is needed now. You, congress and our government need to open ANWR, the Pacific coast (where China is now drilling and stealing our oil as we speak), the Bakken reserve and other oil rich area's so we can secure this countries security, military and economy and keep the American citizen from being hurt financially and economically. In addition, allow more refineries and nuclear plants to be built. This will allow us to be energy independent while we form new energy alternatives that will be implemented in the next 10 years (Alternatives just don't make themselves overnight).

If you would like to speak with me further Sir, I am free to discuss this and other matters that concern me and our country. But, I will probably just get the usual canned response as most politicians are chicken to speak with their constituents. So typical.

Sincerely,

Mark Harvey"
By arizona-guy @ Saturday, May 31, 2008 8:41 PM
I think most open minded Americans agree that we must drill more across the U.S. and off our shores in order to lower gas prices. We must do this to secure energy indendence and to help stabilize our economy.
What I propose is that President Bush submit a plan to congress to address this problem immediately.

1st: Propose to drill of the American Coast.
Based on poll data, about 80 percent of Americans agree that this should be done. Other countries are already drilling there, why aren't we? Do they have safer methods? Are they better than we are at extracting oil? I don't think so!

Present this to Congress and let President Bush tell the American people which members of Congress support this and which ones do not. I think the American people will be able to clearly see which member of Congress are in touch with the American people.

Present other proposals such as drilling in An War, building Nuclear power plants, etc. Let the American people see which Congressmen and Senators agree or disagree with each of these proposal. Then let the American People decide at election time which representatives are truly representing the American people!!!
By hatteras230 @ Saturday, May 31, 2008 5:35 PM
An open letter to all Senators and Reps in Congress:

I cannot begin to speak of the level of my shame and fury at the elected officials of the United States. Use of oil and coal energy is now being cited as the ultimate evil in America and the world (now superceding the love of money and food—two other things we cannot do without). These natural energy sources are not luxuries; both are necessities for us and our nation's well being.
This fevered notion that everyone is joyriding aimlessly through life in an SUV is evidence that we are paralyzed by stupidity and brainwashing. Is anyone else aware that hospitals and schools need energy for heat and light and basic operations, emergency vehicles and transit buses, trains and container trucks carrying food to ALL Americans? We MUST have fuel.
I hear no one discussing transitional energy sources—there is only talk of “fantasy future” alternative sources needing technology we do not yet possess. Jeanie and Bewitched cannot their blink eyes or twitch their noses to convert internal combustion engines into magic turbines of air power. Please think of what you are doing to us and our nation by continuing to deny our present day energy needs. We have coal, oil, oil shale, and natural gas that can all be used TODAY. The Germans powered their military empire on gas converted from coal. Obviously, coal-to-gas technology has been around for 60 years. We don’t have to wait for a scientist to whip it into a usable element—just refine it a little.
There is no scientific consensus for global warming. The earth has not warmed one degree in the last decade, but the temperatures of your voting constituents have reached the boiling point. Continue to impede food and energy delivery and you are encouraging either a full out depression or a revolution. Which are you willing to risk?
Stop treating us like unruly children with your high-flown rhetoric and votes against using our own energy sources on this continent, gentleman. If you have no care for the electorate--think of your babies, grandbabies, and elderly loved ones. Think of them shivering in the dark or going unsaved on a hospital table because YOU voted against capturing all available American energy sources. Is it really more important to appear concerned about the environment than your own people? Is it more valuable to you to pander and cave to environmentalists who don't even think we have a right to exist on the planet with God's other creatures? What are you thinking?
By OhAncientOne @ Saturday, May 31, 2008 2:25 PM
Yes we must DRILL, for OUR oil.
The high price of oil is destroying our economy.
This makes it a national security issue, and as such, action should be taken by executive order if Congress refuses to act.
The Federal Government must build at least four refineries stretched across the USA.
The oil companies pay small royalties for OUR oil as they pump it out.
As a national security issue, these contracts can be changed now.
The new fee will be one barrel of oil sent to our new refineries for every barrel pumped.
In the mean time, during construction, the fee will be refined fuel delivered to distributors solely within the USA.
The distributors must then factor in their reduced costs which will immediately reduce the price of gas and diesel.
My point is this, if oil companies like Exxon who have recently refused to increase production (as stated at a recent stockholders meeting) Then we the people
must drill and refine and sell AT COST ourselves.
I am a huge supporter of private enterprise but, it only works when private companies recognize that their customer is the boss, not their shareholders. Competition must be restored to the market. Perhaps just the threat of federal action will be enough to get them doing something right with OUR oil.
By johnfromjersey @ Saturday, May 31, 2008 6:49 AM
My friends, one bill, passed, or not, will not help "We the people", take back our country from these ravenous money eaters we call congress. IMHO, we the people must DEMAND term limits for them all. Not only will they get the message that Americans will no longer sit back and take their indifference to our needs, but, it will send a signal to the incoming congress not to become like the old guard. "TERM LIMITS IS THE ANSWER"!
By Anonymous @ Friday, May 30, 2008 11:13 PM
I am certainly pressing my friends to contact our Cngressmen in DC to vote NO on the Leiberman/Warner bill. Enough is enough, I am on fixed income and the price of gasoline has "Outpriced My Budget." I worked for many years and retired on a fixed income, I now have 4th stage cancer (Thank God I do have Health Insurance. However, getting back and forth for Doctor visits and Chemo can drain my monthly check. Keep up the good work Newt
By TornVictor @ Friday, May 30, 2008 7:12 PM
“By steveinaz @ Friday, May 30, 2008 5:26 PM - I'm buying 2 new electric cars and the oil companies can keep their oil. See how they like it then!”

Well steveinaz, I hope their solar because electric cars need electricity and that is still oil. See the problem yet? No nukes no power. No coal no power. No oil no power. No power no power. No power no country!
By steveinaz @ Friday, May 30, 2008 5:26 PM
I'm buying 2 new electric cars and the oil companies can keep their oil. See how they like it then!
By Johnd7458 @ Friday, May 30, 2008 4:19 PM
Nothing new here in CT, Joe and Chris have to go......
By DEAN POWELL @ Friday, May 30, 2008 2:43 PM
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT YESTERDAY EDWARD MARKEY HEAD OF THE "ENERGY INDEPENDENCE GLOBAL WARMING COMMITTE" INTRODUCED A BILL TO CUT GLOBAL WARMING BY 80% AND START CHARGING PRESENT ENERGY SOURCES 8 TRILLION DOLLARS(CARBON-CREDIT GAME).
THESE PEOPLE HAVE FOUND A NEW WAY TO FLEECE THE AMERICAN PUBLIC ON FALSE SCIENCE. THIS IS WORSE THAN THE LIEBERMAN/WARNER BILL.
DEAN
By RLPeck2 @ Thursday, May 29, 2008 7:22 PM
I've heard that there is a substantial amount of drilling for oil going on in Northwestern New Mexico and that the wells are just being capped. I think that it is Halliburton that is doing the work.
What Say YOU?
Bob
By rogerroney @ Thursday, May 29, 2008 6:03 PM
Draft Newt!!!!

Run, Newt, Run!!!

We Need Ye!!!
By edcoil @ Thursday, May 29, 2008 5:55 PM
I made a pin that says:

JUST DOO
Drill Our Own

Newt, if you want me to listen to you, stop doing tv spots with the current speaker telling us of the danges of global warming.
By TornVictor @ Thursday, May 29, 2008 4:45 PM
This is an open comment to Senator Warner; vote "no" on Warner-Lieberman. How can you endorse this attack on American families? This will adversely impact every family in the country. American freedom is at stake. Do you really think we want to ignore our own energy resources and let the liberals in our government hold them hostage to social change? Waters was telling the truth when she said she wanted to socialize the energy industry in America. Senator Warner, shame on you for disregarding the national good in this way. Yes, Americans use more energy than other countries. However, we have paid a steady price in blood and treasure to support our way of life. If any country, not so blessed as ours, would but establish the freedom to live as we have, and as we forthrightly have, by force of arms defend their right to live free. Then they would also reap the benefits of such a society and life. But their cost of freedom is to high a price to pay. So America, retreat from your good life and share in the ashes of ours for our benefit and as penitence for being bold enough to grab freedom and hold it. Apologize for the life you have earned and give back what level of comfort you have won through courage, toil, and determination. I think not, I hope we fight the haters of America in our own country. Those that presume to barter our society, for no good will, believe our strength is a horror and not a central fabric of the nation we have become. I will not apologize for my birthright, nor will I bend to garner praise from those whose choice it is to suckle, and take, and entreat, what about me, give me mine. The American way of life is one of courage and challenge not of retreat and dishonor. To those less fortunate I extend my helping hand, I do not require your rebuke or lecture. I am proud of my life, my country, and I will defend it in every lawful way. Some men know what is just, and some men have the will to defend what they know. Our fathers knew and they had such valor. Our soldiers know and they exemplify America in their every deed. Find your courage, stand up for America, and ask other nations to find the courage to live free or die.
By John Ashman @ Thursday, May 29, 2008 2:50 PM
If Algore had managed a $2.00 tax on gasoline, most people would have been driving economical cars instead of gas guzzlers and wouldn't be complaining so much now!

The reality is for us to get more drilling and exploration here, the Republicans are going to have to give up something to the Democrats, but they can choose what that is if they do it right.

Demand ANWAR be opened up, but also offer up some public lands for algae farms or offer credits for economical vehicles or create a mandate that all cars have biodiesel engine options or a solar panel lease to own program as in Germany/Mexico or something that is also saves us fuel.
By wmctlc @ Thursday, May 29, 2008 7:12 AM
Once again, I am deeply disappointed in the man I voted for to represent the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia...Senator Warner. I will be e-mailing him to voice, yet again, my displeasure in how he has turned his back on the people he represents. And Senator Lieberman....haven't I heard his name mentioned as a possible running mate for Senator McCain? What is happening to the Republican Party?
By ericrobinson @ Thursday, May 29, 2008 1:36 AM
GAS PRICES

I hope people, as they empty their wallets while filling their tanks, take a moment to think about one thing. Remember, not so long ago, when Democrats - like Al Gore - were proposing the imposition of $1.00 to $2.00/gal. additional gas taxes, as a means of "encouraging conservation" - see: imposing their will on YOU? I want everyone to consider just how much negative impact the present rise in gas prices has had on our economy - your standard of living. Imagine if Algore had been elected, and the Democratic Congress had given him his tax. All you people would be paying $6-8/gal by now.
'Ya think we'd all be happy campers today? Oh, there's something else you should probably ponder, now that I've got your attention. They're those same Democrats who've blocked expansion of DOMESTIC sourcing of fuels for your motorcycles, boats, RVs, SUVs, personal autos, oh, and the trucks you drive to work.
Oh, and the same Democrats/Liberals/Environmentalists who've slapped the regulations on you that prevent your local motorcycle shop from changing the exhausts and intakes on your American V-Twin motorcycle? In case you're wondering, those same regs have cost more than a few jobs, and resulted in the closure of more than one business.
So, as you're staring at that ballot, come this November, take time to think about how your vote will impact your life, and the quality of your family's life, before you cast your vote. Are they "saving" American oil for future generations? Why? If they drive you out of your car, and we no longer need oil, who will use it? So, if we won't need oil in the future, why save it?
Perhaps you should consider exactly what they might really be after, and why, and remember the last time the government actually did something FOR you, and the last time they did something TO you.
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