Obama's latest vote buying idea!

[AWL71 0]

So get this. Obama just released a policy paper proposing that every American family get a $1000 dollar handout to help with energy costs. And how is he going to fund this? With windfall Oil profits. Obama says the oil companies are making too much money. You have got to be kidding me. I don't like paying $4.00 for gas but this is a free market economy and success should not be punished. And what is scary is that the sheeple will line up and say give me my money. Obama is a socialist, I am not interested in his change. He does not get to decide how much profit is too much. The market will decide that.

The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

[JohnRich 4]

Oh come on now, all we have to do is put a couple more pounds of air pressure in our car tires and then everything will be all right.

[kallend 2,027]

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Obama is a socialist

Amazing how 8 years of Bushism's failures have opened the door to a socialist, isn't it. Only in America.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[Andy9o8 2]

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So get this. Obama just released a policy paper proposing that every American family get a $1000 dollar handout to help with energy costs. And how is he going to fund this? With windfall Oil profits. Obama says the oil companies are making too much money. You have got to be kidding me. I don't like paying $4.00 for gas but this is a free market economy and success should not be punished. And what is scary is that the sheeple will line up and say give me my money. Obama is a socialist, I am not interested in his change. He does not get to decide how much profit is too much. The market will decide that.

Just keep in mind that all anti-trust laws are a form of socialized impediment to monopolies that would otherwise exist in a 100% free market economy. Generally speaking, monopoly tends to exert upward pressure on prices, while competition tends to exert downward pressure on prices. That's the social policy behind anti-trust laws. Since there is so little competition in the oil industry to keep prices down, a distribution of windfall profits is just an extension of the same social policy. Yes, I suppose it's "socialistic", but policy decisions should be based upon reality, and not labels.

[idrankwhat 0]

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So get this. Obama just released a policy paper proposing that every American family get a $1000 dollar handout to help with energy costs. And how is he going to fund this? With windfall Oil profits. Obama says the oil companies are making too much money. You have got to be kidding me. I don't like paying $4.00 for gas but this is a free market economy and success should not be punished. And what is scary is that the sheeple will line up and say give me my money. Obama is a socialist, I am not interested in his change. He does not get to decide how much profit is too much. The market will decide that.

Windfall profits tax is a bad idea.
But please tell me how massive subsidies to the petroleum industry, with yet again posting the largest profits of any industry EVER recorded, is considered free market economics.

[AWL71 0]

And don't forget to tune up your engine...all our problems solved.

The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

[idrankwhat 0]

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Oh come on now, all we have to do is put a couple more pounds of air pressure in our car tires and then everything will be all right.

What's wrong with the concept of conservation? Have you tried it? I got an almost 10% increase by inflating to the upper limit. I also got another 10% by slowing down from 70-80 to 60-70.

[AWL71 0]

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So get this. Obama just released a policy paper proposing that every American family get a $1000 dollar handout to help with energy costs. And how is he going to fund this? With windfall Oil profits. Obama says the oil companies are making too much money. You have got to be kidding me. I don't like paying $4.00 for gas but this is a free market economy and success should not be punished. And what is scary is that the sheeple will line up and say give me my money. Obama is a socialist, I am not interested in his change. He does not get to decide how much profit is too much. The market will decide that.

Windfall profits tax is a bad idea.
But please tell me how massive subsidies to the petroleum industry, with yet again posting the largest profits of any industry EVER recorded, is considered free market economics.

You make a valid point with the subsidies but government likes high gas prices since they get .40 to.50 cents tax per gallon.

The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

[idrankwhat 0]

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And don't forget to tune up your engine...all our problems solved.

I'm getting the idea that common sense is considered "unpatriotic" by some.

[idrankwhat 0]

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You make a valid point with the subsidies but government likes high gas prices since they get .40 to.50 cents tax per gallon.

Maybe that's why they drag their feet like they do on demanding higher CAFE standards.

[AWL71 0]

Not at all. I just thought it funny that a presedential candidate would mention tire pressure and tune ups. That is something I do already. How about some real solutions from Obama and McCain as well.

The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

[Remster 30]

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The market will decide that.

There is no "free" market.

The SEC puts in loat of limitation to what could otherwise be a much more free market.

Antiturst and anti-collusion laws limit free markets.

And even so, this wonderful "free" market that is still left has for only aim to maximize profit for the firms that make it up. And in case you havent followed the news in the last 20 years, there is always a trend towards consolidation, which greatly reduces competition, one of the tennent of this "free" market theory.

Remster

[ErricoMalatesta 0]

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So get this. Obama just released a policy paper proposing that every American family get a $1000 dollar handout to help with energy costs. And how is he going to fund this? With windfall Oil profits. Obama says the oil companies are making too much money. You have got to be kidding me. I don't like paying $4.00 for gas but this is a free market economy

...no isn't

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and success should not be punished. And what is scary is that the sheeple will line up and say give me my money. Obama is a socialist, I am not interested in his change. He does not get to decide how much profit is too much. The market will decide that.

The US president or candidate cannot be a 'socialist'.

[kelpdiver 2]

I find it hard to see this proposal as any different than the ill advised gas tax holiday by McCain and Clinton.

[AWL71 0]

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I find it hard to see this proposal as any different than the ill advised gas tax holiday by McCain and Clinton.

Agreed. As usual no one from either side of the aisle has any decent ideas. The democrats won't do anything since they are lock stop with the enviromentalists and the republicans are in bed with big oil. One big quandry.

Why can't we drill domestically while developing wind, solar, and nuclear? It will take 10 years to get oil from Anwar, yes. But Clinton used the same excuse 10 years ago. The only thing that gets done is the production of more rhetoric.

The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

[kallend 2,027]

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So get this. Obama just released a policy paper proposing that every American family get a $1000 dollar handout to help with energy costs. And how is he going to fund this? With windfall Oil profits. Obama says the oil companies are making too much money. You have got to be kidding me. I don't like paying $4.00 for gas but this is a free market economy and success should not be punished. And what is scary is that the sheeple will line up and say give me my money. Obama is a socialist, I am not interested in his change. He does not get to decide how much profit is too much. The market will decide that.

Windfall profits tax is a bad idea.
But please tell me how massive subsidies to the petroleum industry, with yet again posting the largest profits of any industry EVER recorded, is considered free market economics.

You make a valid point with the subsidies but government likes high gas prices since they get .40 to.50 cents tax per gallon.

Average Federal + State gas tax is $0.47/gal, and does NOT depend of the price of gas at the pump. Hence gas tax revenues depend on gallons sold, not on price/gallon. If high prices lead to lower consumption, then govt. revenues would drop when the price increases.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[azdiver 0]

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So get this. Obama just released a policy paper proposing that every American family get a $1000 dollar handout to help with energy costs. And how is he going to fund this? With windfall Oil profits. Obama says the oil companies are making too much money. You have got to be kidding me. I don't like paying $4.00 for gas but this is a free market economy and success should not be punished. And what is scary is that the sheeple will line up and say give me my money. Obama is a socialist, I am not interested in his change. He does not get to decide how much profit is too much. The market will decide that.

Windfall profits tax is a bad idea.
But please tell me how massive subsidies to the petroleum industry, with yet again posting the largest profits of any industry EVER recorded, is considered free market economics.

You make a valid point with the subsidies but government likes high gas prices since they get .40 to.50 cents tax per gallon.

Average Federal + State gas tax is $0.47/gal, and does NOT depend of the price of gas at the pump. Hence gas tax revenues depend on gallons sold, not on price/gallon. If high prices lead to lower consumption, then govt. revenues would drop when the price increases.

obama is wanting to add another tax per gallon on gas for his global poverty bill, adding even more to the price. he sure is a friend to the poor and middle class isnt he. making it so people cant afford to drive to work with their current cars, and with obama declaring theres a recession, so it must be so, people cant buy new ones.

light travels faster than sound, that's why some people appear to be bright until you hear them speak

[Muenkel 0]

Be at peace my friend. Come Jan. 20, 2009 when Pres. Obama is sworn in, the heavens will open up. Choirs of angels will sing. Iran and Israel will become the best of friends. Al Qaeda will lay down their arms. The rich will distribute all their money to the poor. Environmentalists will teach the rest of the country how to live and the air will become sparkly clean and the water crystal clear. The Garden of Eden will once again appear and spread throughout the U.S. and throughout the world because Barack Obama is truly the 2nd coming.

_________________________________________
Chris

[mnealtx 0]

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Be at peace my friend. Come Jan. 20, 2009 when Pres. Obama is sworn in, the heavens will open up. Choirs of angels will sing. Iran and Israel will become the best of friends. Al Qaeda will lay down their arms. The rich will distribute all their money to the poor. Environmentalists will teach the rest of the country how to live and the air will become sparkly clean and the water crystal clear. The Garden of Eden will once again appear and spread throughout the U.S. and throughout the world because Barack Obama is truly the 2nd coming.

Been watching the network news again, have you?

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[Muenkel 0]

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Been watching the network news again, have you?

That obvious is it? Actually, I can't say that I have been watching all of the network news....just 99% of it.

BTW, Soylent Green is people.

_________________________________________
Chris

[Gawain 0]

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So get this. Obama just released a policy paper proposing that every American family get a $1000 dollar handout to help with energy costs. And how is he going to fund this? With windfall Oil profits. Obama says the oil companies are making too much money. You have got to be kidding me. I don't like paying $4.00 for gas but this is a free market economy and success should not be punished. And what is scary is that the sheeple will line up and say give me my money. Obama is a socialist, I am not interested in his change. He does not get to decide how much profit is too much. The market will decide that.

Windfall profits tax is a bad idea.
But please tell me how massive subsidies to the petroleum industry, with yet again posting the largest profits of any industry EVER recorded, is considered free market economics.

I keep hearing about these massive subsidies to the petroleum industry.

Start itemizing actual dollars and cents - what are these subsidies?

The symbolic, and comparatively small revenue detours these capital intense companies amounts to little.

I can easily outline the billions-and-billions in taxes these companies pay. In fact, just do a search of posts by me, noting ExxonMobil.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[tbrown 26]

The only thing the Republicans have to complain about is that they didn't think of this $1000 giveaway first. Of course it's a bad idea, but so was the "economic stimulus" giveaway. Not to mention McCain's proposal for a summer gas tax holiday.

Tax and spend: it's an idea we can live with !

Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

[mnealtx 0]

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summer gas tax holiday

How about Pelosi's request to release oil from the strategic reserve - how good of an idea was that?

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Tax and spend: it's an idea we can live with !

Near and dear to ALL politician's hearts!

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[kelpdiver 2]

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Average Federal + State gas tax is $0.47/gal, and does NOT depend of the price of gas at the pump. Hence gas tax revenues depend on gallons sold, not on price/gallon. If high prices lead to lower consumption, then govt. revenues would drop when the price increases.

Averages are deceiving.

CA taxes gas at the full sale tax rate, which around here is ~8.5% (minor variations by county). This has made Sacramento a beneficiary of the run up in price. The variable sales tax is just a couple pennies less than the fixed costs of state + federal. Overall at 4.40 it's about 70 cents per gallon.

[akarunway 1]

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Be at peace my friend. Come Jan. 20, 2009 when Pres. Obama is sworn in, the heavens will open up. Choirs of angels will sing. Iran and Israel will become the best of friends. Al Qaeda will lay down their arms. The rich will distribute all their money to the poor. Environmentalists will teach the rest of the country how to live and the air will become sparkly clean and the water crystal clear. The Garden of Eden will once again appear and spread throughout the U.S. and throughout the world because Barack Obama is truly the 2nd coming.

And yopu might fall down the stairs again.

I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.