posted on June 10, 2008 05:58:04 PM new
I was just reading the article on Senate GOP blocks windfall tax on big oil. I'm no good at posting the link but I'll just say this one thing might kill the republicans in the election. This gas think is going to make everybody vote for a change.
posted on June 10, 2008 06:31:33 PM new
Perhaps the Senate should have voted to open up drilling in the U.S. and along both coasts. That along with legislation mandating that all domestic oil remain in this country.
I just bet that there would less a dependence upon foreign oil.
Unfortunately, the members of both parties are so bound to their constituencies, lobbyists, and big money, that they don't give a hoot about the people that they represent.
posted on June 10, 2008 07:19:52 PM new
Can anyone here defend the block on the windfall tax? I know we are a bit one-sided here but I would really like to hear a rational defense of why oil companies shouldn't pay a windfall tax and why taxing them is not in the best interest of our country.
[ edited by pixiamom on Jun 10, 2008 07:36 PM ]
posted on June 10, 2008 08:21:31 PM new
The oil companies are just running their businesses correctly. When the price of oil by the barrel increases, the cost of gasoline in inventory should also increase, because the gasoline will cost more when replacing inventory.
Now I am not coming to the defense of the oil barons. However, has anyone really checked the effect of the weak dollar on our import purchases. Or, the lack of refining capacity, or the lack of domestic production, or alternate energy sources?
A major reason for the increase in gasoline prices is that weak dollar.
The policies created by the present administration and in many cases mandated by Congress , plus the recent increase in Dollars that the Fed Bank has flooded our economy with (cheap money), has had a hand in the drop of the Dollars value.
So, why should the oil companies be taxed when they are not the cause of the price increases? So we can feel good, knowing that they can't have all that money. Of course, they will only pass that tax back onto us as an increase in prices.
All Congress is trying to do is hide the real reasons for the increases - by pointing a finger at the oil companies, while it continues the failed policies of both political parties.
posted on June 11, 2008 09:33:23 AM new
The oil companies do not decide the price on a barrel of oil. Demand and speculation (mostly the latter lately) do. The oil companies are bound by contracts with OPEC.
This is just a meaningless sop to morons so politicians can get their pictures taken, etc.
It's in the same boat as "special" laws for gays, etc or when they call to ban whatever weapon the latest nutty killer just used. Just a publicity scam.
In today's paper, France wants to block web sites with "bias" and US politicians want more government control over Usenet to "protect the children". Meanwhile the dopes pushing this crap shriek in horror that terrorist detainees might be supplied with the wrong size prayer rug or someone advocating or aiding religious violence might be investigated.
posted on June 11, 2008 01:25:29 PM new
Pixiamom - I've heard that a windfall profits tax could in fact hurt, because the oil companies would just up their profit margins (i.e. raise the price of gas) to recoup the money lost in taxes.
posted on June 14, 2008 11:43:31 AM new
Please tell me honestly what the hell would a windfall tax do for the average American?? Absolutely nothing - that's what. A tax will do nothing but fill the coffers of the federal government and then maybe we could have more programs and freebies for those who refuse to work and live off the government?? It certainly would not make its way to the average American working stiff. All it would do is make the oil companies raise their prices to make up the deficit. And who pays for that??
We do of course. Use your head for something other than a place to grow hair. The less taxes we have the better off everyone who is a contributing member of society will be.
