Republicans want to lift the ban and promote more offshore drilling. It's the main issue among voters this campaign season. Senate and House Democrats generally oppose it. So does Senator  Barack Obama. President Bush lifted an executive ban on offshore exploration on the outer continental shelf on July 14 and challenged Congress to lift its own ban. Congress now has the sole power to lift the ban, but so far has done nothing. While it is not the only solution, it is part of the solution and contrary to conventional wisdom, can begin to have an impact inside of 6 months. Lift the ban, exercise conservation and explore alternatives immediately - that is the solution. Remember the first OPEC embargo? When the Alaska pipeline went in and the U.S. started importing oil from South America along with our own offshore drilling, nuclear power plants combined with a  new line of economy cars OPEC was forced to drop its prices. Ronaly Regan advocated offshore drilling in the U.S., nuclear energy and R&D. The Dems in Congress won't bring it to a floor vote. Why? It will expose the Democrats' divisions and embarrass Obama. Most Americans favor a bi-partisan solution that is multi-pronged. Instead, Congres sits around, does nothing and points fingers at one another because most of them have salaries where they can tolerate prices at the pumps. We have wasted 4 months and now Congress goes into recess. By the time we figure it out, half a year will be gone.