Letter: Obama pits labor against environment

Amusing, if not depressing, is that President Barack Obama's ideology is a union killer ["House rejects tax-cut extension," News, Dec. 21]. The administration's push for closing tax loopholes for corporations drives and keeps jobs offshore, while discouraging domestic investment and expansion.

The moratorium on oil drilling has been another major job killer, directly affecting the Gulf region and fuel-related industries. That moratorium has driven gasoline prices to almost double what they were a few years ago with a distressing effect on all businesses.

Obama is cornered between pacifying the environmentalists or the unions, both staunch contributors and supporters of his distorted vision for America. The Green Party believes the Canada-to-Gulf of Mexico pipeline is a threat to the environment, but labor needs the jobs created by its construction and the subsequent oil-refining process. Union membership is declining.

While Iran threatens to close access to Mideast oil, our president has decided where his personal interest and re-election campaign benefit the most.

Green Party: 1, Unions: 0, America: 0.

Joseph S. Ruszczyk, Kings Park