Shell President Stands Up To Government Harassment
I find it utterly despicable that Congress has the nerve to call up the President of a private company and publicly harass him for, heaven forbid, making a profit. We are talking about a man that has absolutely no control over the price of crude oil as traded in the future’s market, a man that has no control over the Fed’s weak dollar policy or national debt, a man that has no control over the fact that the vast majority of domestic oil is off limits thanks to the actions of the very thieves he is forced to answer to, a man who would love to build another refinery if only Congress would let him.
But to the neo-Marxists/Chavezites that occupy the United States Senate, nothing, and I mean nothing is worse than a private company making money.
Here is an example of what was said by the Senator from the People’s Republic of San Francisco.
Dianne Feinstein- “Yet you rack up record profits, record profits, quarter after quarter after quarter, and apparently have no ethical compass about the price of gasoline.”
I find it amazing that United States Senators are uttering those words. I would expect that kind of language from Soviet Party officials, but from the US Senate?
I imagine there will probably be yet another government investigation harassment of big oil, in spite of the fact that no evidence of wrongdoing has ever been found during the other 350 investigations.
If any of you are interested in facts, as opposed to populist rhetoric, please click on this link. In it, you will find a graph revealing that yes, there is a correlation between the price of crude traded in the open market and the price at the pump. You might even see a graph that shows a decline in refineries, but an increase in demand. Imagine that!
Some of you though would rather feel than think. You are happy to remain ignorant, and you could care less whether government harasses a private company, so long as it’s not you.
As for me, well I am also hit hard by the high price of gas. But I have enough sense to know that if the market was truly free, if government would get out of the way, things would be much better. I don’t blame oil companies for the price at the pump. I blame our government, which has opposed drilling or building a refinery anywhere. This is the same government that subsidizes American corn ethanol, while imposing a tariff on more efficient Brazilian sugar ethanol. Folks, if you are looking for somebody to get mad at, get mad at your government.
Venezuelans are paying 13 cents a gallon for gas.
Both Russians and Chinese are paying less than here.
I hope it goes up to $12 a gallon. Maybe then, Bushies and McSameites will reevaluate the future of a continued isolationist government policy that alienates major oil producing countries like Venezuela, Russia, Iran, etc.. and creates enemies rather than allies.
The Church of Economic Conservatism preaches there are only two options, Communism and freedom, and that under the Sacred Laws of Freedom business is only responsible to itself.
This is wrong. Business has an obligation to act in good faith in order to add value to the market and if it fails to act on this responsibility the people are well within their rights to enact regulation.
I am not necessarily asserting that this is the case in this instance, or that some of other points may not merit consideration. However, Congress is not out of line here as you claim.
Great examples William, while our enviro-wacko movement is tying our hands, not allowing us to drill, Venezuella, Russia, Iran, and even China are drilling everywhere. Thanks to the policies you support William, we are buying oil from those guys. Russia and Venezuella are laughing all the way to the bank, probably saying to themselves “Stupid liberal Americans”.
You like Venezuella, don’t you William? Your kind of place, is it not? Businesses being stolen and nationalized. You are probably stupid enough to think that overall things are better there than they are here.
You have revealed yourself, you piece of shit commie.
HB, unbelievable. Congress is not out of line? At least you admit, sort of, that the energy industry has nothing to do with the price of gas.
Did any of you click on and read the link, btw. Of course not…
I don’t have a problem with drilling in ANWR but any idiot knows that the total supply estimated in all oil reserves in ANWR would be less than the US consumes in oil in 2 yrs.
Do you like to go to the beach Glen? Just imagine the sugar white sands of the FL panhandle coated with smelly black shit for the rest oour lives. All it would take is one major spill. Is it worth it to you?
You wish you were a communist Glen, if you were, you’d have decent free health care and probably a better job and better education. Anyone who works for the state, gov’t or military can be viewed as ‘communist’ under your definition.
You have no idea what you are talking about. If you want bad environmental policy in regards to drilling for oil, go to your workers paradise in Venezuela, or Russia, home of Tsar Putin.
Your right about the idiocy of Congress on this issue but wrong about the reason, I think. They are desperate to appear to be doing something on this issue that has no solution. It’s the flip side of Bush groveling before his Saudi masters asking them to increase the oil flow.
I’m for drilling in ANWAR but you are nuts if you think it is going to have an effect on prices. We are most going towards the downside of Hubbert’s Peak and oil is going to be more and more expensive.
P.S. Assuming W is correct about the price that Venezualleans are paying for gas is correct, it would be because Mussolini, er Chavez is a demagogue and is bribing the rabble with cheap fuel.
It is what it is, Clark. Btw, I’m not just talking about ANWR, but the Rockies, the Gulf of Mexico, The Dakotas. I am talking about ending the stupid tariff on Brazilian ethanol and stopping the subsidizing of American corn ethanol. I am also talking about a responsible Fed that is willing to tank the US economy for long term gain and dollar strength. Government’s hands are all over this mess. Surely if govt is the problem, it can’t also be the solution.
If gas prices rising is inevitable, then so be it. Nothing will encourage the market to create different types of fuels and engines to get around town than expensive gasoline. We are an exceptional nation with exceptional minds. Look for electric research and things like natural gas cars to be sped up in R&D.
Meanwhile, times are tough, no doubt. But falling for demagoguery is not the answer, ever.
Right, I am sure the energy conglomerates, with their record profits will be getting right on that.
Exceptional nation with exceptional minds?
Not lately.
If you want blame someone, look to the hubris and complacency of the American Big Three.
Glen,
some info regarding your statement:
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/38223.html
Price of oil is above $135 a barrel - more than double a year ago.