a) your ability to pay is being slashed - now and for the future
b) the number of “victims” is unknown and open to interpretation of judges yet to take the case
c) Some (many) Gulf Coast “fishermen” and other entrepreneurs and self-employed people are not willing to file honest claims and provide BP with tax records to show what their income was before the spill so BP can replace it- because they were taking cash under the table and not paying taxes.
d) the crisis and damage is expected to last for decades,
e) the assignment of co-responsibilty for damages by lax and incompetent govt oversight agencies and other companies has not begun to be addressed. Remember- obama said PUBLICLY the USG was “telling BP what to do” from Day 1. What if it is shown the USG told them to do the wrong thing? And delayed them from doing the right thing? Who pays for that?
f) the exact cause of the “accident” has not yet even been determined
LEGALLY there are predetermined caps in the law on BP’s liability. BP has not before addressed that. But now that it is being hit with demands to compensate people in every Gulf and drill related company unemployed because of OBAMA’s policies they are.
BTW, “capitalism” is such a tool term to use to blame someone or something.
Let's give you an assignment. Let's figure you caused an auto accident. Shit happens.
The judge decides your insurance limits are too low. He assesses unlimited damages against you.
He takes away your car and driver's license but demands you transport everyone affected by the accident to work and to all daily activities.
He demands you be responsible for damages claimed by the other family members, neighbors, friends and employers of the people you injured or killed, and everyone in their daily activities and supply chain. They will tell you what to pay them. No tax records or employment records or verification of past income is required. You are responsible indefinitely, as long as they claim they are unable to return to normal.
He shuts down and demands you rebuild the highway that was damaged by the accident (even if you suspect a pothole in the poorly maintained highway caused your accident). He also demands that ALL highways be shut down for 6 months to inspect for damages.
He demands you compensate every driver who uses those highways or who cannot use those highways until you pay to have them all fixed or rebuilt better than before. And compensate the families friends and employers and their supply chains for damages they claim for not being able to use highways.
Done paying off all the people you injured yet?
BTW, your employer (just like BP’s investors, who are the real employers here) dropped you because you don't have time to do your job anymore and they can't afford to share your unlimited indefinite liability to unlimited indefinite claimants.
You really think being in an auto accident is comparable to disregarding all proper drilling procedures and ordering your drill crew to advance a known risky, high volume well?
BP, Transocean, and Haliburton are solely responsible for their actions and should be held accounable to the fullest extent possible. Their responsibility is to plug this well ASAP, assist in damage control, and provide compensation.
The government’s responsibility is to assist in damage control, assess and quanitify damage to coastal communities and environments, prepare to manage the long term consequences, and identify and ensure that all those entitled to compensation recieve it.
Both parties should be judged by their efforts and held accountable. Frankly, I’m not impressed with eithers response.