Views on the US banning Russian energy imports
On Tuesday, the Biden administration announced a ban on Russian energy imports as part of the sanctions against Russia for its actions in Ukraine. All parties agree this policy is likely to increase the cost of gas in the United States.
The bottom line: Some people support Biden’s decision because it shows a strong commitment to supporting the Ukrainian people in a time of crisis. Others oppose Biden’s decision because it will increase gas prices and turn the US towards socialism.
Below, we break down how different people interpret this event, and what values or information inform this perspective.
Our goal isn’t to change your mind — it’s to show how rational people can understand this same event so differently.
NOTE: This issue, like many others, does not fit cleanly into the broader left/right divide. our ANALYSIS PRESENTS TWO OPPOSING PERSPECTIVES AS EXAMPLES FOR HOW PEOPLE MAY REACH DIFFERENT CONCLUSIONS ABOUT THE SAME TOPIC. YOUR VIEW MAY DIFFER, AND THAT’S OKAY.
What does each side see as fact?
- The Ukrainian people are suffering more than Americans.
- Banning Russian energy import is a logical next step.
- Banning the import of Russian oil will hurt the American people.
- Restarting American oil production is essential to lower gas prices.
The Narrative
The facts above, synthesized into a communicable information packet.
Banning Russian energy imports is an important step in showing solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Yes, it will temporarily increase gas prices, but that’s a price worth paying. We must stand up for what’s right, even when it’s hard.
The initiative is supported by politicians across the political aisle. But this broad support won’t stop Republicans from shamelessly blaming Biden for the increase in gas prices and calling for his impeachment, even though they supported Trump who committed real crimes against the American people.
The Biden administration’s disassembly of American energy production infrastructure is the reason we see higher gas prices – banning Russian oil will only make it worse.
Biden could avoid this by restoring American energy production to its full capacity. Instead, he’s guiding the US towards socialism by normalizing the relationship with Venezuela, Iran, and Cuba. He does not serve the American people and should be impeached for his actions.
How could a reasonable person come to think this?
Symbols, language, priors that each side brings into the discussion.
Because people on the left generally enter this conversation with more faith in the Biden administration, they trust that Biden will take just and measured actions to benefit the American people, both at home and abroad.
Because people on the right generally enter this conversation skeptical of Biden’s ability to lead the country, they see Biden’s actions as destructive and out of touch with the reality of everyday Americans — who will be the ones paying the price.
What does each side see as fact?
- The Ukrainian people are suffering more than Americans.
- Banning Russian energy import is a logical next step.
- Banning the import of Russian oil will hurt the American people.
- Restarting American oil production is essential to lower gas prices.
The Narrative
The facts above, synthesized into a communicable information packet.
Banning Russian energy imports is an important step in showing solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Yes, it will temporarily increase gas prices, but that’s a price worth paying. We must stand up for what’s right, even when it’s hard.
The initiative is supported by politicians across the political aisle. But this broad support won’t stop Republicans from shamelessly blaming Biden for the increase in gas prices and calling for his impeachment, even though they supported Trump who committed real crimes against the American people.
The Biden administration’s disassembly of American energy production infrastructure is the reason we see higher gas prices – banning Russian oil will only make it worse.
Biden could avoid this by restoring American energy production to its full capacity. Instead, he’s guiding the US towards socialism by normalizing the relationship with Venezuela, Iran, and Cuba. He does not serve the American people and should be impeached for his actions.
How could a reasonable person come to believe this?
Symbols, language, priors that each side brings into the discussion.
Because people on the left generally enter this conversation with more faith in the Biden administration, they trust that Biden will take just and measured actions to benefit the American people, both at home and abroad.
Because people on the right generally enter this conversation skeptical of Biden’s ability to lead the country, they see Biden’s actions as destructive and out of touch with the reality of everyday Americans — who will be the ones paying the price.
Takeaways
Although opinions on this issue don’t neatly follow party lines, our view of Biden more broadly still has an impact on how we interpret this specific story. If we view Biden as a failed president, we are more likely to pay attention to the negative aspects of this policy (and overlook the positive). But if we view Biden as a competent president, we are more likely to pay attention to the positive aspects of the policy (and overlook the negative).
That doesn’t mean that one side is right, and the other is wrong. Instead, it shows how complex issues can be interpreted in different ways based on our values and worldviews.
Sources
3 Wives
— Jonathan Gaffney 🇺🇸 (@JGaffneyUSN) March 8, 2022
No Dog
2 Impeachments
1 Failed Coup
Countless Affairs & Abortions
Lifetime Twitter Ban
6 Bankruptcies
3,500 Lawsuits
26 documented assaults on women
6 Deferments
Putin's Bitch
92,497 lies
500k needless deaths
476 golf trips
and no friends.
But, sure.#IMPEACHBIDENNOW
Banning Russian oil is the right thing to do for Ukraine and in response to Putin aggression. This is an effort to save lives.
— Steven Beschloss (@StevenBeschloss) March 8, 2022
Cue Republicans, who now say they support it, blaming Biden for high gas prices in the midterms.
Good. Thank you @POTUS. And be straight with the American people by telling them that this will raise the price at the pump. And then explain to the American people why this sacrifice is so darn important. And then challenge Republicans to say the same to their constituents. https://t.co/jDQCJGkuRy
— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) March 8, 2022
Before the narrative gets too carried away: Gas prices aren't up because the White House is banning Russian oil. They're up because Joe Biden campaigned on an energy "transition" away from oil and launched a war on domestic-U.S. production.
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) March 8, 2022
So Biden is banning Russian oil imports (which he should have done since the beginning if he wanted the sanctions to be serious) but is looking to substitute for those imports oil from…Venezuela, a Russian ally and authoritarian socialist state. Makes sense!
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) March 8, 2022
Banning Russian oil is all part of Based Comrade Biden's grand master plan to normalize relations with Venezuela, Iran and Cuba and usher in an era of American Socialism. Trust the plan 🇺🇸🇻🇪🇮🇷🇨🇺
— Secular Talk🎙 (@KyleKulinski) March 8, 2022