corporate welfare

[strandinthewind]

Here's a idea, why not just give the $100 directly to the oil companies so they can "earn" even higher record profits next year I get that most could use the $100, but the effect of it is just subsidizing the oil companies even more than they are now and does nothing to lower the price of fuel.

April 27, 2006
Republicans Offer Plan on Gas Prices
By DAVID STOUT
WASHINGTON, April 27 — Republican senators offered a relief package today for a public dismayed by rising gasoline prices. Trying to get out front on an issue that seems certain to be a factor in this fall's elections, the senators proposed a $100 "gas-tax holiday" in the form of a rebate check for every family.

They also proposed new government investments in alternative fuels, like ethanol, and in hybrid vehicles, and they pledged to aggressively investigate whether some petroleum companies are guilty of price gouging.

However, the Republican senate leader opposed suggestions from some Democrats for a windfall profits tax on oil.

One of the Republican senators, Pete Domenici of New Mexico, chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said today that he was "troubled to hear stories of families who are really having a difficult time having to cut essential items from their budgets to fill their cars."

Senator John Thune of South Dakota also reflected the awareness across Capitol Hill that energy prices may remain a hot-button issue for a long time. "I think what the American consumer is saying is that filling up your gas tank shouldn't empty your wallet," said.

The proposal came out on the same day that Exxon Mobil, the world's largest publicly traded oil company, announced that its first quarter earnings increased by 7 percent, pushed up by higher oil prices.

Whether the senators' proposals will become reality was an unanswerable question this afternoon. Some of their ideas may not be popular with their Democratic colleagues. Then, too, whatever the Senate passes must get House approval, as well as President Bush's.

Mr. Bush, touring the Gulf Coast region today, used a stop at a service station in Biloxi, Miss., to promote some of his energy ideas, which include drilling in the wildlife refuge, and to show his concern for consumers. "The first thing is to make sure that nobody is getting cheated," he said. "One of the roles of the federal government is to make sure that you're taken care of."

"We've got a problem because we're dependent on oil from overseas," Mr. Bush said, using the language he has embraced to argue for drilling in Alaska, proposed by the Republican senators today, and for building more refineries in the United States.

The idea of opening up a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska for gas and oil exploration has been explosive every time it has come up in Congress.

At the senators' news conference, one questioner suggested that at least some proposals echo those incorporated in a sweeping energy bill passed last August — a suggestion that Senator Bill Frist of Tennessee, the majority leader, deflected by describing the Republican program as "a bold package."

Mr. Frist said he hoped a vote on the Republicans' package could be held "very quickly." Lawmakers of both parties have plunged into energy-related issues in the past few days and have been looking again at industry-friendly measures enacted in last year's energy bill.

The $100 rebate seemed to be the centerpiece of the plan laid out today. "It will show people that Washington gets it," said Senator Jim Talent of Missouri, "and that it's time to provide some relief to Americans, to Missourians who are trying to support their families and are paying these very high gasoline prices."

Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania blamed "the obstruction of the folks on the other side," meaning Democrats, for holding up progress on forward-looking energy legislation. Both Mr. Talent and Mr. Santorum are up for re-election.

Besides a $100-per-family rebate, the Republican senators' package calls for giving the administration new authority to raise fuel-efficiency standards; spending $1.1 billion on alternative-fuels research and $1.8 billion on hybrid-vehicle research; opening part of the wildlife refuge for drilling, and subjecting oil companies to tougher scrutiny.

"I know the Democrats have proposed, or last night were working and are strongly supporting, a windfall-tax proposal," Mr. Frist said. "For the most part, I think we'd be very opposed to that. And if they'd like to vote on that, we'd like to take this directly to the floor and vote on this as well."

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, where there is widespread sentiment for drilling in the wildlife refuge, said the tract was "probably this country's best opportunity for a long-term source of oil that is quite apparent we desperately need." The tract could yield a million barrels of oil a day — about what was lost during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita — and do it for 30 years, she said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/27/wa...gewanted=print

[David]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Here's a idea, why not just give the $100 directly to the oil companies so they can "earn" even higher record profits next year I get that most could use the $100, but the effect of it is just subsidizing the oil companies even more than they are now and does nothing to lower the price of fuel.

It's pretty goofball, isn't it? Obviously, it's just a scheme to make the stupider among us think good thoughts about the republican senators who proposed the idea.

Here's my view: If the government can afford to hand out money to everybody, it shouldn't have taken that money in the first place.

[DrummerDeanna]

Originally Posted by David

It's pretty goofball, isn't it? Obviously, it's just a scheme to make the stupider among us think good thoughts about the republican senators who proposed the idea.

The Republicans are ****ting themselves over the prospect of losing power in November.

[DavidMn]

I found this idea rather laughable.

[snowman]

This whole thing is so F'd up:

1. Polititians who's pocket are lined with big oil money, trying to look good for the folks back home...
2. Always a different reason for these increases-Katrina, political strife in importing countries, refineries going off line for seasonal maintanence, ethanal shortages, Memorial Holiday weekend, increased consumption by China & India, Iran's nuclear program

What's really screwy is that the price of oil is determined by commodities brokers from what I understand, not supply and demand.

[estranged4life]

how about a political pinata made up of all those crooks of both parties, That we citizens can beat silly in any way we choose, until they are all D-E-A-D??!!!

I dont think $100 will help most folks who are having to bite the bullet thanks to the high gasoline prices. Sounds like the Rethugs are trying to buy a vote out of desparation cause they know their reign is ending (Cant wait to see the Demi-gods drop the ball over the next several years too)

Ballot with a Bullet...Indeed!

[Sorcerer386]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania blamed "the obstruction of the folks on the other side," meaning Democrats, for holding up progress on forward-looking energy legislation. Both Mr. Talent and Mr. Santorum are up for re-election.

My GOD do I hate, loathe, despise, and detest this man (Santorum). Anyone in PA or anyone who knows anyone in PA, PLEASE urge them to vote against this pit of bile that has taken a human form.

I just don't understand Republicans' economic view in general. I mean, $100 per family for gasoline. That's what, on average TWO fill ups? So we are set to go for two weeks, then back to paying out of pocket. And let's allow the oil companies to rake in ridiculous profits...we'll just kill the wildlife to get more oil. It makes me want to smack my head off the desk (which I honestly DID when I read this). I cannot believe that there are people who believe this is the best way to solve this problem. I just can't believe it.

[BTFLCHLD]

Originally Posted by Sorcerer386

So we are set to go for two weeks, then back to paying out of pocket

this reaks of lets give them a bonus tax check as a thank you for the bazillion years folks have paid taxes then ram it up them arses much further for a bazillion more



fyi i hate the IRS

[amber]

Besides a $100-per-family rebate, the Republican senators' package calls for giving the administration new authority to raise fuel-efficiency standards; spending $1.1 billion on alternative-fuels research and $1.8 billion on hybrid-vehicle research;

Goooood...

and subjecting oil companies to tougher scrutiny.

Gooooood...

opening part of the wildlife refuge for drilling,

@^%$#%$#&^%$^$!!!!!!

wtf??

I am seething with rage at the cumulative moronity of this administration. I'm really digging Brian J.'s suggestion....

[gldstwmn]

On that note...





House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Ill., center, gets out of a Hydrogen Alternative Fueled automobile, left, as he prepares to board his SUV, which uses gasoline, after holding a news conference at a local gas station in Washington, Thursday, April 27, 2006 to discuss the recent rise in gas prices. Hastert and other members of Congress drove off in the Hydrogen-Fueled cars only to switch to their official cars to drive back the few block back to the U.S. Capitol.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...cpm10904272019

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

The Republicans are ****ting themselves over the prospect of losing power in November.

It's inevitable.

[gldstwmn]

Originally Posted by Sorcerer386

My GOD do I hate, loathe, despise, and detest this man (Santorum). Anyone in PA or anyone who knows anyone in PA, PLEASE urge them to vote against this pit of bile that has taken a human form.

His poll ratings suck, last I read. I think he has a pretty good chance of being unseated.

[BTFLCHLD]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

On that note...

Hastert and other members of Congress drove off in the Hydrogen-Fueled cars only to switch to their official cars to drive back the few block back to the U.S. Capitol

outrageous!!!!
sneaky basts!

[irishgrl]

However, the Republican senate leader opposed suggestions from some Democrats for a windfall profits tax on oil.

WHY??? EEJITS!

[DrummerDeanna]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

It's inevitable.

What is..them ****ting themselves or losing power

I really hope they lose their asses in November...but I have little faith in the American people these days...I just hope people are pissed off enough to make that change happen...

The little light of hope I have is that my sister and her husband are staunch republicans but they are fed up, pissed off and ready for change.