Gouging, Gasoline and Political Gas
So, I haven't really been covering the gas cost crisis thing, because, well, so many other people have been doing it.
But, that's about to change...
Here the Senate Republicans are trying to solve all our gas woes.
Senate Republicans unveiled a proposal on Thursday to soften the blow of rapidly rising gasoline prices by giving taxpayers a $100 check and suspending a retail fuel tax.
Okay, so it's more like softening the blow, but if you're being hit by a train wreck, and they take off the caboose to "soften the blow," you're still being hit by a train wreck.
Frist calls it a Band-Aid, and yet uses the word "hemorrhage" in the same sentence. Now, I'm not a doctor, I doubt Frist is a doctor, and yet even I know you do NOT use a Band-Aid when you're hemorrhaging, you sew the wound up! We don't need Band-Aids. You know this, I know this, our "representatives" know this. We need to SOLVE THE PROBLEM!!!
What a concept! An actualy, real, honest, long-term solution. Like, um, maybe, working towards ending the necessity of gasoline altogether! But, no, wait, I'm being silly. If we ended America's need for gasoline, that might harm the profit margin of the big oil companies, and we just couldn't have that!
To make matters worse...
The Gas Price Relief and Rebate Act of 2006 was attached late on Wednesday to a controversial bill being debated this week on the Senate floor to provide emergency funds for the war in Iraq.
Okay, I'll admit that the cost of oil (and thus the cost of gasoline) is somewhat related to what's going on in Iraq, but not like this! For once, just once, I'd like to see a bill come out of the legislature that wasn't showing signs of ADD, please!
Which brings me to this...
"Americans are struggling to pay the rising cost of gas, and they are not interested in handouts to help oil companies make more money by letting them drill in wildlife refuges," Reid said, referring to ANWR.
The Dems don't like this idea. Big surprise. I know, I'm shocked too. *Yawn*
However, their plan...
If Democrats want the Senate to consider a plan to tax record oil company profits, they will have to consider the Republican plan too, Frist said.
Has absolutely NOTHING to do with helping the American consumer! It's purpose is to "punish" the oil companies and make Bush look bad. Let me say it again... *Yawn*
Yes, I'm being snarky. But...
To pay for the lost revenues, the legislation would suspend some tax credits and royalty waivers now given to oil companies.
This is the only good thing about this whole mess that I've seen yet. So, I've got to ask... Green energy, anyone? Anyone? Anyone at all?
by Mark @ 3:40 PM
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comments
4 Comments:
Want to give some links?
I'm getting really tired of all the old-game tricks being played by the Dems. Stir up hatred for "Big Oil" and make the average American think there are some evil oil company executives twirling their mustaches and laughing evil laughs in their teak-lined boardrooms. As if taxing companies is always the answer and tax cuts never is. Apparently the Dems have gotten their base to think that stealing MORE money from companies is somehow not going to be filtered back to where it hits the consumer. Don't they realize that when a company's profits get reduced by a new tax, the company will simply find a way to attach it to the consumer to make up the shortfall (check your cellphone bill for proof in writing).
Green energy is the long-term solution. More oil from our own sources is the short-term solution. More taxes is NEVER the solution.
R_V,
While I agree taxing is the wrong solution, the Dems don't have to do much to "stir up hatred for "Big Oil."" People are getting pissed at the pump, then when they see the record profits and outrageous CEO benefits... People are getting pissed at "Big Oil" all on their own. And, when you consider they do get tax breaks...
"Don't they realize that when a company's profits get reduced by a new tax"
I agree with the wholly. Besides, if they really wanted to "hurt" the oil companies, they'd investigate the prices to determine whether or not they are inflated (I don't trust the GOP to do it...then again, I don't trust the DNC either). Until we have representation that isn't bough-and-paid-for, we really don't have a whole lot of options other than to suck it up and drive on.
Thank youu for writing this
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