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Subscribe to RSSPresident Barack Obama, turning his political sights on snowy New Hampshire, demanded that Congress eliminate oil and gas company subsidies that he called an outrageous government "giveaway." Though politically a long shot, the White House believes the idea resonates at a time of high gasoline prices.
"Let's put every single member of Congress on record: you can stand with oil companies or you can stand up for the American people," Obama said.
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Obama has repeatedly called for an end to about $4 billion in annual tax breaks and subsidies for oil and gas companies, government support that Obama has said is unwarranted at a time of burgeoning profits and rising domestic production.
"It's outrageous. It's inexcusable. I'm asking Congress: eliminate this oil industry giveaway right away," he said.
It was Obama's latest and most direct appeal to Congress to act on the tax breaks, and an administration official said the White House expects Congress to soon take up a measure ending some subsidies. The official requested anonymity to avoid speaking publicly without authorization.
Republican presidential contenders and GOP leaders in Congress denounced the idea and called on Obama to take further steps to expand oil production in the United States.
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The oil companys control to much of our lives and our government. This country needs a trust buster like TR ie Teddy Roosvelt and bust these companys up if this country is to last another century.
Are you talking about the banks? They definitely need to be busted up - no banks across state lines was a good rule. No bank should control more than 5% of the national market in any sector of their business. Fannie and Freddie should be dismantled - liquidated.
This is so funny, you can tell just how effective President Obama's speaches are by all the GOP/TP loons it brings out on thes vines... The price of a gallon of gas is going up because of the oil companies and speculators...period. They want them to go up to the GOP/TP have something else to blame the President for. Even though he has nothing to do with it and no contol over it. This is the President telling the oil companies "I'll hit you where it hurts, in your wallet for creating this false uptick in gas prices". The President know's it's about politics and he's trying to watch out for us little guys... Kick the obstructionist GOP/TP out. Get rid of the GOP/TP lawmakers who create the laws to rig the markets against the middle class. They line their pockets with the bloodmoney of their corporate masters...Take away power from the GOP/TP and you take away the power of the Corporations.
So why don't you figure out a way of getting refined petroleum products without oil companies. Our problem isn't with the oil companies, its with the anti-business administration of Obama.
It is like the man says, 'you can build anything you want, but you will never get a permit to operate it.'
Today, just like he stated in 2008, Energy Secretary Chu
admitted to a House committee that the administration is not interested in lowering gas prices.
Chu, along with the Obama administration, regards the spike in gas prices as a feature rather than a bug. High gas prices provide an incentive for alternate energy technology, a priority for the White House, and a decrease in reliance on oil for energy.
So Obama won't do anything about it and Congress could put a tariff on the number one export out of the country in 2011...Gasoline and Oil. ....Nope to much insider trading and bought and paid for politicians. Doesn't matter Republican or Democrat one's as corrupt as the other.
The Democrats were in power for the first two years of the Obamas administration. They did nothing but pass what 68% of the american public told them not to, ObamCare. They bailed out the United Auto Workers Unions. They bailed out Wall Street. Spent trillions and want to spend trillions more. It just isn't working for me.
Exxon Mobile paid more taxes than the rest of the alternative energy companies combined. Obama wants to give subsidies to corn farms and Solydra who pay no taxes.
You have to remember, the government does not give anything. We the taxpayers are ultimitely responsible for the actions of the people we vote into office. The governemnt does not have any money to do anything with unless we pay for it. The government does not have it's own money. The money they receive may be borrowed, but i don't remember signing for the obligation.
Finally, someone with some backbone to stand up to the oil companies heh heh. Those companies are making millions in profits and still get subsidies. Time to end that LOL
We'll see who tries to stop this from happening. Those on the right will say it is not fair and complain it is politically motivated and those on the left will say it should have happened before now. It is getting addressed now and we will see who does what. Chances are the Republicans will try and kick it down the court or attach the issue to some ugly issue like contraception or lowering taxes on the wealthy, but none of that will fly any more. The Republicans have failed to hear the drumbeat of the new Progressive world where they could have been a part, now they are out in left field. There is no stopping the new Progressive Movement. Either they are with us or they are against us.
And everyone will whine about increasing fuel prices.
PLEASE NOTE THE BOLD FACE QUOTATION FROM MR CHU where he admits to wanting to drive up the price of gas.
To..King"""
I see this a lot on the winger blogs...but what is this supposed to mean ...Obama doesn't want to lower gas prices ...is that what you are trying to say...
Exactly. . .
Did you read the above article?
OUCH!!! That's going to end up costing us more if passed.
Ya think?
Right winged, close-minded republicans are the biggest blight on this country..
- they are selfish, and don't care about anyone else... (give back your medicare & SS if you had principles)
- they are anti-american more than any group on this earth.. (they are cheering for economic failure)
- they do not believe in valid economics or science .. (fair markets, global warming, evolution, etc, etc )
- they espouse ridiculously simplistic slogans to address complex issues (drill more oil hasn't worked)
and most of all
- they HATE those who may question or seek compromise (the antithesis of their so-called christian values).
Fortunately, we have seen the last right winged republican president, and by the end of this decade, the demographics will ensure a progressive POTUS, Congress and SCOTUS which will finally get this country on track !
They know this and they hate it ... we are seeing them thrash as their last rites are being read.
sorry you are so wrong...obama and his gang of petty tyrants are a cancer on this country....ANYONE BUT obama IN NOVEMBER!!!
At What cost?
grovers not going to allow it
I think we should all tell Mr Obama to go Chu on this
he done did and has the solution. but like I said grover wont allow the president to do it. can't you read. WAKEUPAMERICA.
How about if we demand from Obama he sign off on the Keystone XL pipeline, stop giving subsidies for Chevy Volts, and spending taxpayer money for projects like Solindrina and have his minion Holder tell the truth about Fast and Ferrous.
You lost me on the Keystone XL Pipeline. Don't need it, don't want it.
bush beat him by spending trillions, gazillions on made up wars. HALIBURTONis still making off like a theif in the nite.
Even though ending oil and gas subsidies is the right thing to do, there's a good chance the argument is going to backfire. As gas prices rise, oil companies will find it easy to blame the end of subsidies as a major contributor to that rise.
It will be a lie, and an obvious one at that, but that won't stop anyone looking to blame Obama for everything wrong with the country from latching on to it and repeating it ad nauseum. With an improving economy and job market, high gas prices will be a serious Achilles' heel for an incumbent in the upcoming elections.
ha ha. The shills are out in force!
I agree heh heh
Far as I'm concerned, I couldn't give a rat's arse about the dems and repubs heh heh. Long as someone puts a stop to the subsidies. If the dysfunctional congress won't go for it, then we'll know for sure about what a bunch of rich jerks they are running this country and who's pockets they are in LOL. Far as I see it, it's the politicians that are the problem heh heh.
Last I checked the oil companies paid more than 4 billion in taxes. This is the definition of a subsidy "a direct pecuniary aid furnished by a government to aprivate industrial undertaking, a charity
organization, or thelike". The government is not GIVING them anything. By their good grace the government is allowing them to keep more of their money. Aren't they wonderful. Looks like gas prices are going to go up even more.
Much like we are being told the Canadian pipe line is going to lower our gas prices, right heh heh. That oil is marked for export lol
not if we vote in a democratic, an all democratic all three branches of government. then and only then gas prices will go down as the rest of the burdon on the lost middle class.
Today, just like he stated in 2008, Energy Secretary Chu
I see this a lot on the winger blogs...but what is this supposed to mean ...Obama doesn't want to lower gas prices ...is that what you are trying to say...
Glad you can figure it out Am, yes that is exactly what Obama has been saying and his Sec of Energy is pushing for.
Ell to the Yeah!!!
Really... ask yourself... "How much are we really paying for gas when you figure in the pork???"
When I see how much profit the oil companies claimed last year, and to know that they are keeping subsidies off shore to keep from paying American taxes... now THAT makes me want to vomit, Mr. Santorum... can I call you Mr. Bubbles?
What makes me want to puke is that liberals have no idea what a "subsidies" or the difference between a "subsidies" and a tax write off. But all you need to do is look at GM and it's volt and that would be the difference. The volt is being subsidised by the government.
If you haven't checked out your local mass transit schedules and got some agreements from your employers to adjust your work hours for them now might be a good time to do it.
obama calling something "an outrageous government giveaway" is too rich to be true........i think his stimulus program was an outrageous government giveaway and also the bailout of GM was an outrageous government giveaway..actually the bailout of GM was a bribe for the UAW.......GM is still being run by the clowns who almost brought it to ruin prior to the UAW bribe......GM should have gone through bankruptcy.....it would be a better stronger company now...obama is an idiot and i say ANYONE BUT obama IN NOVEMBER!!!!!!
will you move out of the country when obama wins ? please ? lol you don't even realize what is going on... ha ha ha ha ha ha .... grab your gun and bible and stay in the basement...we will all be better off
you can say anyone but obama all you want.... but its already over...and you can't handle it.... there is NO way independents will vote for santorum and romney is a JOKE who obama will eat for breakfast.... think about how bad he is going to look !!!!! lol lol
Higher Taxes = Higher prices for all of us. Does't this man undertsand anything at all about economics? Anything done now represents a tax hike. Businesses pass that added expense along to their customers. Isn't it clear to him with fuel prices going through the roof that the added shipping expense does nothing but increase the price of everything? The man has no concept of business or how it works. His policies are the deafening roar of economic collapse in this country.
Maybe instead of playing chicken little, you should be trying to figure out a way to take care of your part of it in spite of higher fuel prices.
Obama demands? He should check out his stick before demanding anything.
"The Obama administration frequently used federal resources to promote the president's agenda," the report said. "The president's right to sell his policy recommendations to Congress and the public is not disputed; however, using the resources of the federal government to activate a sophisticated propaganda and lobbying campaign is an abuse of office and a betrayal of the president's pledge to create 'an unprecedented level of openness in government'."
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/03/01/senators-call-for-investigation-into-taxpayer-funded-spin-by-obama/#ixzz1ntlKkk4l
The oil companies have been pocketing obscene profits at the expense of working Americans, and justifying it with lame excuses and outright lies for years. It's time, and long past time, for them to pay their fair share.
you ought to educate yourself.....oil companies pay huge tax bills and in reality who do you think brings the oil to you after exploration and drilling?.......it aint obama.........ANYONE BUT obama IN NOVEMBER!!!
The main thing to consider is to why is government so involved in everything business does. Over regulation os the root cause of this country's manufacturing collapse. The president is for even bigger government and more regulations. We are being deprived of personal opportunity no matter what he says or how he says it. His idea of "Hope and Change" is control everything we do and how we do it.
Fine, take away the subsidies. I can hear the libbies cheer. Will they cheer if gas is $9 per gallon like it is in Europe? I doubt it.
If Obama is out to do away with subsidizes, he can start with corn subsidy and the requirement for 15% of automobile fuel be ethanol. That consumes 60% of our annual corn crop which has doubled the cost of our groceries.
I can't wait to hear him defend this outrageous waste of American agriculture resource.