Today, Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico took a courageous stand against energy independence by making sure that the world's most profitable oil companies get to keep massive tax breaks.

William F. Buckley once summed up the philosophy behind "Reaganomics" with these famous words:

"It's about giving the horse enough oats so
that some of them pass through the other
end for the sparrows on the road."

Today, Domenici lead a valiant effort to preserve massive welfare-style tax subsidies for Big oil by feeding the big Oil and Utility horses a diet of straight oats at the expense of taxpayers.

Unfortunately, this move leaves nothing but a steaming pile of dung for the sparrows on the other end.

Using the power of the fillibuster, Senator Domenici successfully stopped alternative technologies such as solar energy and wind power from getting their share of Big Government oats. According to New Mexico's own leading newspaper, the Albuquerque Tribune, the state's solar industry has been "left by the side of the road."

You would think that a politician from New Mexico would be interested in giving a little seed money to solar power.

After all, the state is so rich in sunshine that its flag is a red sun on a yellow field. In fact, you would think that Mr. Dominici would bet at least a little money on the "solar horse," instead of the "Big Oil Horse" in the race toward energy independence, but no ... he has deliberately left one of his state's brightest hopes for energy independence by the side of the road.

Why is Mr. Domenici backing the wrong horse?

According to www.opensecrets.org, which tracks political contributions, Senator Domenici is the top recipient of dollars from oil and gas companies, electric utilities, and natural gas transmission and distribution corporations.

So the next time you pay a record breaking price for your gasoline, or write a check to your local electric utility, think of Pete Domenici. He's the man who is bravely defending the status quo at your expense by giving the Big Energy horse plenty of oats.

As for you: You're just a sparrow.

Bon Appétit.

Post Script: On November 14, 2007, UCAN predicted that prices for gasoline would begin to rise a few weeks after the President signs the new Energy Independence Bill." Read about it here.