BP did us Harm

A massive, catastrophic oil spill in the gulf is bad. But British Petroleum (BP) did more harm to our economy than they could possibly do to the environment. Every drop of oil we buy from Opec gives more money to terrorists.

As our money flows to OPEC, it flows out of our economy. It buys stuff for people in OPEC member countries. But if we spend money on American oil, it moves around our own economy where it belongs. It gives BP more money to pay employees. It causes lower oil prices. It allows you to spend less money filling your tank and more money on other things.

Because of the month-long oil spill, it's going to be next to impossible to get permits for other ocean platforms in this country. This is going to harm the economy because:

* Fewer oil platforms means fewer jobs.

* Money used to purchase oil from OPEC leaves our country.

* Some of the money used to purchase oil from OPEC is used to fund terrorism.

Write or call your congressman. Tell him you understand that offshore drilling comes with risks. Tell him that it makes sense to increase scrutiny of oil companies. Tell him that it wouldn't hurt to tighten up regulations to make oil companies safer. But tell him not to do anything to cause delays in further offshore drilling, because the U.S. doesn't have enough energy to supply its needs. Tell him you would rather risk another catastrophe of this sort than continue paying at the pumps for the next 9/11.

Make sure he understands you will vote against him if he tries to capitalize on the public panic over this spill to improve his popularity at the expense of our economy and our energy independence.