Stole that one from Jambo - thought it would make him laugh and take the following medicine a bit easier.
First, Titus. You made some sincerely complimentary remarks regarding Mormons, and noted that we practice a version of a Judeo-Christian faith. I'll take it - and leave it at that. Also, I want to note that we have our own version of Ted Kennedy. None other than Harry Reid (D) NV claims to be a Mormon. No one could be in more disagreement with the tenants of our faith, yet there he is.
On "f***ing" "big oil." Are you people all insane? Especially you Jambo - you're supposed to our in-house moderate. Not to mention, like myself and badboy, and to an extent Titus, we are in a tipping industry. Our income depends on the expendable income of others. And here you are advocating what would amount to flushing our economy down the toilet. Titus wants the government to artificially interfere in driving the price of gas down, you want them to artificially drive the price up to probably 10 bucks a gallon. Are you kidding? That would guarantee a recession. New capital and its investment into new energy technologies would evaporate over night, the Stock Market would lose 30% of its value by lunch, and one F.Ryan will have $90 days instead of 300!
How many times must I advocate this? There is a path in which we keep the economy, and its life blood, OIL, humming along and we also have a national initiative to find new energy (not to mention the private capital it will take to make it a reality). And that path is presidential LEADERSHIP. THAT is what's lacking. First you suspend the gas taxes for X amount of time, then you begin, by going on TV or in the inaugural address (it won't be this president), and announcing a "moon shot" style energy initiative involving the private sector - whoever wins gets the exclusive rights to fuel the US Government. What do you think that contract would be worth? Now you've got everyone from an eccentric scientist in his garage to BP execs searching in order to win that coveted prize - the genius of the human spirit is unleashed. THAT is how leaders motivate - not by "forcing" people out of hardship and a wrecked economy to try & find a new energy source. Not to mention, even if you disagree with my approach you have to admit that politically my plan is much more likely to be implemented then a huge new oil tariff. What first term president or any term congressman is going to face his constituents knowing he cost them an extra 7 bucks a gallon? No one will go for that.
The approach I have layed out in broad strokes is inspiring, it's American, it's ... Reaganesqe.
FR
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How much of that $900 is spent on fuel for your vehicles, or God forbid you live in an area where you will spend up to 2,500 a year in heating oil like we are about to.
Maybe the old "trickle-down" theory would work in saving the average Joe a buck or two in his pocket to spend SOMEWHERE.
...just a thought.
Wouldn't a suspension of the gas tax and the environmentally encouraged additive requirements merely ENABLE an oil addicted society? Where is the impetus for change? The GRASS ROOTS impetus?
Some private firm wins the X prize and gets the contract, we're still talking half a decade away from implementation. Same headaches. Same price gouging. Same billion dollar quarterly profits. And despite the X prize, no relief for Joe Dealer.
Slap the tariff on light sweet crude, turn around and dish that money out to alternative fueled vehicles RIGHT NOW, no waiting, and there's economic incentive to make it happen. And low and behold, Detroit's working three shifts to get these bad boys out. Nice.
Vote for Jambo.
Completely wrong Jambo ... that tariff would rip into our economy like a cat 5. It would devistate with its ripple effct in a way that can't be imagined. And you want the government to basically take that money, from the tariff, and then be the deciders of who gets the funds, funds mind you that the govt will be dictating be spent on the "available" technology - DISASTEROUS. Spend about an hour at your local DMV and then tell me you want the govt to take the reigns of the lifeblood of our economy. This is Hillary Clinton stuff - "take the oil co profits and reinvest them." Key word their being "take." And someone show me unasailable PROOF of price gauging, because that's illegal now and can be dealt with. Other than that who cares if they make a billion dollars a second? So does harrahs and I'm not advocating that the govt take a portion of their profits and invest it inmy healthcare - an item essential for me and my family. The only reason EXXON et alis making these record profits (and since when is record profits a bad thing in this country?) is because the consumer wants more and more. ONCE AGAIN I emphasize that alternative energy can be arrived at without disabling our economy and for GOODNESS SAKE without the govt dictating the winners and losers via a tarrif. This is socialism 101. And it is NOT the answer. This is Jimmy Carter on steroids.
Suspend the tax and have real leadership on the issue from the Oval Office - and believe me, our addiction to the crude already exists, a dollar less won't enhance it. BUT it will ensure a vibrant economy, one in which once the president announces prize X the available investment capital will be available for. I trust the ingenuity of our private sector to feild the answer - their track record is proven ... and so is the governments, and it ain't pretty.
FR
I concede the tariff would fail. Chalk that up to impatience. There's no need to force necessity when it's already here. BUT...
The track record of the private sector versus the government is historically not as one sided as you let on. I'll give you that government "social" programs have historically hurt more than they've helped, but the private sector has historically never TRIED social programs. History is full of examples of the horrors of private sector's transgressions against the common Joe.
I know the point you're making, don't worry. But I couldn't leave that unaddressed. Especially in the light of your pro-union posts last month. Worry not, I understand the failure of the protective or punitive tariff on imported light sweet crude.
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