Partisan politics gets in the way of good ideas

Recently, an idea came out of the Obama administration that made a lot of sense. Instead of rewarding big oil companies with tax breaks while average Americans are getting hit hard at the pump, let's eliminate tax breaks and subsidies for the oil industry and invest in a clean energy economy that reduces America's dependence on foreign oil, creates new jobs and supports new 21st-century industries.

It was voted down along party lines.

The plan was one of those things that could help everyone. I feel ripped off. I lived in Saudi Arabia, about 5 miles from an oil refinery that spewed black smoke into the atmosphere 24/7. Believe you me, nothing stopped the flow of oil or the profits from it.

On Capitol Hill, some politicians voted to give tax breaks to overseas oil companies that are rich beyond the average person's imagination.

I admit that there is no single, easy answer for addressing increased gas prices. But the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress are doing the right thing by supporting the idea of eliminating tax breaks for the oil industry and investing more in clean energy. It's time for Republicans to get on board as well.

Beverly Blasingame

Iowa City