60 Plus Chairman Jim Martin: “Dems want to make America an ‘energy free’ zone.”

(Alexandria, Virginia) – 60 Plus Association Chairman Jim Martin – the leader of the most influential conservative seniors advocacy group in the nation – today scolded Democrats in the U.S. Senate for their plan to raise taxes on oil companies, a move sure to kill jobs and raise the price of energy on every American.

“It is absolutely mind boggling that President Obama and the Senate Democrats are seeking to raise taxes and make U.S. industry less competitive in this atrocious economic climate where millions cannot find work.  But oil companies make an easy target and divert attention away from the fact that Obama’s energy policies are directly contributing to over $4 a gallon gasoline.

“The Obama energy policy has already instituted a moratorium on drilling and denied permits in vast oil reserves.  Raising costs on oil companies will only continue the exodus of oil exploration abroad. Add this to Obama’s taxpayer subsidies to Brazil so America can become ‘one of their best customers’ and it is clear to see that this Administration seeks to make America an ‘energy free zone.’

“While over-dependence on foreign oil hurts seniors on fixed incomes, it is now a clear and present danger to national security.

“Senator Hatch (R-UT) is absolutely correct; these hearings are a ‘dog-and-pony’ show meant to score political points at the expense of private industry that creates jobs.  Democrat Senators Mary Landrieu (LA) and Mark Begich (AK) deserve credit for standing up to their party’s demagoguery and defending U.S. industry.  Representing oil-producing states, they clearly understand the danger of singling out oil companies and the harm that will come from pilfering their profits.

“There is no such thing as a ‘controlled’ tax increase.  Hiking taxes on energy will spread higher costs to everyone. It will kill jobs, hurt American competitiveness and put a big smile on the faces of foreign nations who do not have the burden of the Obama Administration telling them when and where they can produce energy. This plan must be defeated immediately.”

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