posted on November 9, 2005 10:23:30 AM
Senate is wasting time having oil company execs explain their profits last quarter.
They need to tell the senate they only report to their share holders and to kiss thier a$$.This a free country and one based on capitalism, they made money good for them.
posted on November 9, 2005 10:44:15 AM
Oh Ron....certainly you must be aware that the Congress feels it necessary to give a 'whipping' to huge companies that make nice/large profits.
They also know it's our form of government [Capitalism] and they know these profits are what actually GROW our eonomy...in many ways.
BUT if the ultra-lberals ever get control....they'll most likely work against what has made this Nation the great Nation it's always been. They'd try to get laws passed that are found in Europe....and we all know who poorly their economies are doing. Yeah, what great examples those more socialist countries are to us. LOL LOL LOL Not!!!
This country was founded on personal acheivement and personal self-sufficency....and the Capitalistic form of economic growth.
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
posted on November 9, 2005 10:48:26 AM
Such conflicted neocons. Cry about corporate price gouging. Want more deregulation when it comes to business, but then wants all the regulations in the world when it comes to personal choices like abortion and gay rights. Want some cheese with that whine?
posted on November 9, 2005 11:07:36 AM
Oh yes Rusty coming from the great state of Oregon where they just upheld the constitutional admendment to ban same sex marriage. Just a great liberal state Oregon is.
Yet at the same time screwed property owners by declaring measure 37 unconstitutional. Democrats run that State so what is the excuse?
Ron
[ edited by WashingtoneBayer on Nov 9, 2005 11:09 AM ]
posted on November 9, 2005 11:11:53 AM
If it was left to sheepa, you know companies would be banned from making any profits.
I don't like the idea of inflated pricing. The solution in my eyes is to stop purchasing those products.
Like the gasoline companies. Gas prices go sky high when demant is high. Once people stopped buying high priced gasoline, the price has fallen.
Yesterday I found gas at Wal Mart in Huntsville (TX) for $2.00 a gallon.
It does make me wonder if congress and the demos would be investigating Heinz foods, Microsoft or AOL if their profit margin jumped 40 or 50 percent.
I gave my liberal neighbors son a book for his birthday. He went crazy trying to find where to put the batteries.
[ edited by Bear1949 on Nov 9, 2005 11:13 AM ]
posted on November 9, 2005 12:17:20 PM
Price gouging has become part of capitalism with no policing. Look at the drug companies as well. With oil, the government makes huge profits from taxes which is why they have their nose in it.
What's interesting, is how much of this profit is spent on research for altenate fuels. Same with the drug companies. Look up how much is spent on research. And while you're at it, look up how much the Cancer Society takes in and how much is spent on research. It'll make you sick.
posted on November 9, 2005 12:34:19 PM
"It is required of every man," the Ghost returned, "that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and wide; and if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. It is doomed to wander through the world -- oh, woe is me! -- and witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth, and turned to happiness!"
Again the spectre raised a cry, and shook its chain, and wrung its shadowy hands.
"You are fettered," said Scrooge, trembling. "Tell me why?"
"I wear the chain I forged in life," replied the Ghost. "I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it. Is its pattern strange to you?"
Scrooge trembled more and more.
"Or would you know," pursued the Ghost, "the weight and length of the strong coil you bear yourself? It was full as heavy and as long as this, seven Christmas Eves ago. You have laboured on it, since. It is a ponderous chain!"
Scrooge glanced about him on the floor, in the expectation of finding himself surrounded by some fifty or sixty fathoms of iron cable: but he could see nothing.
"Jacob," he said, imploringly. "Old Jacob Marley, tell me more. Speak comfort to me, Jacob."
"I have none to give," the Ghost replied. "It comes from other regions, Ebenezer Scrooge, and is conveyed by other ministers, to other kinds of men. Nor can I tell you what I would. A very little more, is all permitted to me. I cannot rest, I cannot stay, I cannot linger anywhere. My spirit never walked beyond our counting-house -- mark me! -- in life my spirit never roved beyond the narrow limits of our money-changing hole; and weary journeys lie before me!"
..."But you were always a good man of business, Jacob," faultered Scrooge, who now began to apply this to himself.
"Business!" cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. "Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"
____________________
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." -- George W. Bush
posted on November 9, 2005 12:41:33 PM
I gotta LOVE this way of thinking.
What's interesting, is how much of this profit is spent on research for altenate fuels. Same with the drug companies. Look up how much is spent on research.
Yep...just like ebay sellers should put aside part of their net profits to research other venues for making money for someone else.
That's just crazy. Here in America, KD, our government DOESN'T OWN our companies. Why you would think that ANY company should be told how to spend their profits by a government, ANY government, is total socialism.....not Capitalism.
That's where our country is different. A difference MOST American's appreciate.....FREEDOM....not more socialism.
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
posted on November 9, 2005 12:50:31 PM
The excerpt has everything to do with this story. Because it seems that, for some, capitalism means "make money by any means fair or foul, and think only of yourself--it's every man for himself." And that sort of "capitalism" is illustrated in "A Christmas Carol."
Yet I wonder how many who take this stance would cry out "unfair!" if they were told that, under capitalism, they would no longer have health or retirement benefits. That taking a day off to celebrate a holiday would see their pay docked. Stuck pigs would more than likely be drowned out by the cacaphony.
____________________
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." -- George W. Bush
posted on November 9, 2005 01:22:56 PMBecause it seems that, for some, capitalism means "make money by any means fair or foul, and think only of yourself--it's every man for himself."
I disagree totally. Just who are these capitalists who support this?
We Capitalists believe in an open and free market place, where DEMAND regulates the selling price of ANY product being produced.
And we have laws that regulate this industry already. No one who commits a CRIME...not just gets blamed for wrongdoing when there is NO proof...is held to account by our criminal justice system.
Don't like the price of gasoline??? Talk to ALL the DEMOCRATS who have for generations taxed and taxed fuel....THEY'VE raised the prices as taxes....this administration and mostly all republicans are the ones AGAINST raising taxes.....don't get confused please.
Supply and demand....that regulates the industry quite well. Start taking the bus, riding your bike where ever you go, rapid transit, Amtrak...etc. THEN #*!@ about the cost of fuel. But not while you're [collectively] consumping it in RECORD amounts.
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
posted on November 9, 2005 01:47:26 PM
Oh God Linda - get off it - what the hell does the tax on gasoline have to do with a 50% price increase over a 3 month period in which the suppliers were making record profits.
I swear, If I said their were clouds in the sky you would say there the result of a democratic conspiracy to rob conservative farmers from needed sun.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on November 9, 2005 01:53:21 PM
LOL fenix - Taxes on gasoline RAISE the price...as you know. It's been mostly liberals who want to raise taxes....republicans believe CONSUMPTION will regulate the price.
That's a pretty simply concept...surprised you don't get it. Profits go to investors....all those 401Ks that American's are investing in. More profit...mean more income for investors.
Again...you have chosen to sell your car ...but most who constantly complain about high prices have a choice....consume less. And also there's the international price issue...the more all these previously poor third world nations that gain wealth by using MORE fuel...help raise the prices too.
Nothing wrong with ANY company making a profit for their investors...it's how the system works.
Maybe you liberals would like to show us all some LAW that states making profits is illegal in this country.
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
posted on November 9, 2005 02:03:26 PM
AND since you, fenix, listen to Fox News a lot then you've probably already heard this info....but for those who haven't....they may be interested in reading some of the oil company exec. give some reasons.
All this is, is a political stand the dems are taking to have something else to blame the reps for.
IF they EVER get in control/office the same thing would be going on under the same circumstances and there would be nothing the dems could do either. Except try to grow more government control over the free market....and send our economy back into the toilet by passing a law to control the price that can be charged.
Price controls NEVER work...and that maybe what SOME liberals want to see. Hopefully with our administration in the majority THAT won't come about any time soon. I can easily remember just what the 'price controls' did before....we should LEARN from our past bad experiences....not repeat them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
[ edited by Linda_K on Nov 9, 2005 02:07 PM ]
posted on November 9, 2005 02:20:16 PM
Lets see if we can put this in true perspective.
As an eBay seller widget X sells consistently for a certain price. But there is a sudden demand and lack of supply; You have an opportunity to get this widget and make 50% profit. Does that make you a price gouger?
Ron
[ edited by WashingtoneBayer on Nov 9, 2005 02:21 PM ]
posted on November 9, 2005 02:23:24 PM
Yes.
____________________
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." -- George W. Bush
posted on November 9, 2005 03:21:08 PM
As always, great analogy Bunni!!
Not only are big companies reaping big profits, but they've become even greedier by outsourcing and calling it a need to save consumers money, yet the savings the consumer gets is a joke compared to the profits made.
posted on November 9, 2005 03:26:21 PM
Again, more socialistic thinking.....
yet the savings the consumer gets is a joke compared to the profits made.
In THIS country we don't do 'income redistribution' with our PRIVATE companies profits....they benefit their share holders and employees.....NOT THE general public.
Boy, kd you really do support a socialist government. I thought you once denied you did.
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
posted on November 9, 2005 03:49:01 PM
Before Ebay banned the selling of all accesories and parts for AR's, AK's & SKS's, I was regularly selling my items for a minimum of 200% profit.
No one forced purchasers to buy these items. Like Ron stated, it was a matter of supply & demand.
I gave my liberal neighbors son a book for his birthday. He went crazy trying to find where to put the batteries.
posted on November 9, 2005 06:13:06 PM
Making a profit is fine, price gouging is not and i the neocons ever developed any morals they would see there's no difference between holding a gun on someone and stealing their wallet and gouging the American public..especially in time of crisis.
posted on November 9, 2005 07:40:41 PM
Heard on the O'Reilly show tonight that gasoline prices in NY consist of $.63 Fed, state and local taxes....that's the same profit the oil companies make he stated.
And in CA the same thing...$.60 per gallon for taxes....
But it's the liberals who don't want to allow drilling - off shore or in AL....it's the liberals who don't want more nuclear [clean] power, the liberals don't want coal use [too dirty], the liberals who don't want windmills in THEIR neighborhood or blocking THEIR Alantic coast view and the liberals who are against building more oil refinery plants.
So...like I said....you'll just have to pay the price or walk, bicycle, give up those gas guzzling cars....or buy expensive ones that run on alternative energy/fuels.
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
posted on November 9, 2005 08:27:17 PM
Hmmm. I seem to remember the government issuing a "cease & desist" to the entrepeneurs who, after Katrina struck, immediately jacked up the price of gas, water and groceries.
How dare Bush & Co. interfere with Americans showing good old-fashioned values! The market was there, so why shouldn't they take advantage? Why, if those Katrina survivors didn't like the prices, all they had to do was not buy from the high priced places!
Oh, wait! There was nowhere else to buy at the time? Well, then tough titty, that's the American way!
It's strange...the America I grew up in was known for its generosity and sense of fair play. That America seems to be disappearing fast under neocon rule.
____________________
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." -- George W. Bush
posted on November 9, 2005 09:07:46 PM
Linda - the taxes on gas did not increase 50% in 3 weeks - the product price did. As for the consumer setting the price? That's a crock. There was no greater demand for gasoline or a lessened supply of available gas. the same amount of gasoline existed and the usage numbers where the same as there had been a month earlier.
Gasoline is the only staple that sellers can impose drastic overnight changes on in times of emergency and get away with it. I wonder why that is. I guess Dasanti and Energizer just needs to make larger political contributions next season.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on November 9, 2005 09:14:09 PMMaking a profit is fine, price gouging is not and i the neocons ever developed any morals they would see there's no difference between holding a gun on someone and stealing their wallet and gouging the American public..especially in time of crisis.
A clinton supporter talking of morals? Hypocrite.
What don't you understand about purchasing anything. If the price is too high for you, DONT BUY IT
Or is that too symple a concept for you, Craw?
I gave my liberal neighbors son a book for his birthday. He went crazy trying to find where to put the batteries.
posted on November 10, 2005 05:20:06 AM
There are always exceptions bunnicula.
In the Katrina area freezing the price was the proper thing to do.
Not the whole United States. I never seen the America you are espousing, however I do see one that is trying to be dragged to the left and turned socialist.
Yeah, what great examples those more socialist countries are to us. LOL LOL LOL Not!!!
