Shortsighted

This is the best word I've heard to accurately describe the governing policies of the GOP -- and the best current example is Pres. Bush and Sen. McCain's proposal for off-shore oil drilling.

Andrew Leonard explores this in his "How the World Works" series for Salon.com. Here are some excerpts that prove this point:

"But maybe the most fascinating aspect to the debate about offshore drilling -- to this profound choice between two worldviews, two ways of being on the planet -- is the harsh light it sheds on the value systems at the heart of how political identity is traditionally seen in the United States.

Republicans have made hay for decades by portraying Democrats as spendthrift, reckless liberals. Their side is supposedly "conservative" -- sober-minded, prudent, levelheaded -- while their opponents are "radical" -- dangerous, risky, foolish.

But what is the truly "conservative" position on offshore drilling, or energy policy in general? Recklessly exhausting all available resources now, and letting the future take care of itself -- or conserving those resources, investing carefully for the future, and thinking about the long term? Where does prudence reside -- in attempting to shave a few pennies off of gas prices now, or on planning on how to cope with high gas prices for the foreseeable future?"

First of all, we couldn't even get a rig up and running (or drilling) for at least 5 years and the effect on gas prices would be minimal. If this is a typical pander - who is it aimed at? Oh yeah, oil companies -- those fat cats that fund your campaigns.

Leonard concludes with this:

"As shareholders in this planet, what do we want? A good quarter now, at the risk of financial disaster next year? Or a long-term ecologically healthy path to sustained prosperity? That's what the debate over offshore drilling is really about."

Oh, and leave the polar bears alone.