Whose profits are they anyway?

Town Hall.com ^ | 11/3/05 | Neal Boortz

[libertarianPA]

Democrats & Republicans... I can't tell the difference anymore. They're all trying to appeal to the same voter.

Pretty soon we're going to start saying, "Sieg Heil" (sp?) to our government officials.

[Mogollon]

Democrats & Republicans Rino's... I can't tell the difference anymore. They're all trying to appeal to the same voter.

That's more accurate I think.

[wouldntbprudent]

Yes, it's a boneheaded idea, but what I read about Grassley was that he was attempting to "shame" the oil companies into contributing more to some "fuel oil for the poor" fund, not actually trying to take the profits.

[dirtboy]

Democrats & Republicans Rino's... I can't tell the difference anymore.

Call 'em Drainos - Democrats & Republicans - Americans In Name Only...

[libertarianPA]

When you're a U.S. Senator, what's the difference between shaming, inferring, or outright stating? This man is trying to extort money earned honestly in order to pander to people who don't know the first thing about economics!

And that's really not the point anyway! This man has no right to do this in a "free" society. In Nazi Germany, this would be perfectly acceptable.

[Pylot]

Grassley is generally ok, but he does go looney tunes once in a while.

Years ago he was on a radio talk show in Iowa and I got to ask him a question.

They were talking about the national debt and the general irresponsibility of congress.

I asked him to acknowledge that the government was required to put excesses from social security into the general fund. He did acknowledge it! I was surprised.

He said "Thats right and the excesses are just spent by congress".

Then he said "We have to do something about that". And that was the end of my call.

But this latest call to get into the oil company profits is misguided. Prices are falling because there has been a consumer based backlash to the high prices. We have driven less, car pooled and become more economical with our use of gas as a result of being gored.

[Red Boots]

Why not write to him here: grassley.senate.gov/webform.htm.

I did, and suggested that he drop the R; and use T, for THIEF !

There's no pesky party line to pretend to toe, and it's more accurate, too!

[libertarianPA]

When George Bush (not considered a RINO) goes on TV after Katrina and says that poverty in America is rooted in racism and basically gives poverty pimps and race hustlers ammunition to blame the white man for the situation in New Orleans...

I'm sorry. The Reps are just as bad as the Dems.

[wouldntbprudent]

Well, agree with you there.

[Youngman442002]

It was the most idiotic thing I have ever heard anyone say....what about TV stars..Basketball players..Movie stars..concert tickets....homes in Florida...art work...who is to say what is "to much"...really....gas is cheaper than bottled water....Pandering...Pandering.....pandering..and it really is stupid

[saganite]

Good one. Can I use it?

[dirtboy]

Please do...

[Zeppo]

what I read about Grassley was that he was attempting to "shame" the oil companies into contributing more to some "fuel oil for the poor" fund, not actually trying to take the profits

Sounds like (stinks like) a typical organized crime 'protection' racket to me...

[CTOCS]

....contributing more to some "fuel oil for the poor" fund, not actually trying to take the profits.

Of course it is. As a small business owner, if the government demands that I contribute a portion of my profits to one of their pet projects, then that government is "taking" my profits.

[Money Lady]

According to Exxon Mobil's financial statements, their "obscene" profit is only about 10% of sales. That is not extreme at all. Why isn't anyone looking at it from this angle?

[Alberta's Child]

That's right. If companies like Exxon-Mobil were nearly as profitable as people make them out to be, then even people as marginal as U.S. Senators would quit their jobs and go to work in the oil industry.

[PeterPrinciple]

Grassley is generally ok, but he does go looney tunes once in a while.


I agree. I had a phone conversation with him also that left me refreshed in his understanding. Was in regard to the farm program and him admitting what we were doing now wasn't working.

We all say stupid things every once in awhile but never here on FR.

[conservative physics]

Actually since no one really owns anything in America he is a socialist.

The government just wants people to believe that they own their property.

But when someone can make you pay rent on your property (property taxes), can tell you what you can and can't do with your property (environmental regulations) and can take it away from you any time it wants to build a walmart (eminent domain/Kelo decision) ... then you don't really own the property, the government does. But the government just wants you to believe that you own it so you won't overthrow the government.

[Pylot]

"We all say stupid things every once in awhile but never here on FR."

I am living proof that that is not entirely accurate! 8^}

[Phantom Lord]

Yes, it's a boneheaded idea, but what I read about Grassley was that he was attempting to "shame" the oil companies into contributing more to some "fuel oil for the poor" fund, not actually trying to take the profits.

Translation: Do so voluntarily now, or we will force you to do it later.