Post by: Manedwolf on June 09, 2008, 09:31:55 AM
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RALEIGH, North Carolina (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said on Monday he would impose a windfall profits tax on U.S. oil companies as he sought political gain from Americans' pain over high gasoline prices.
Launching a two-week focus on the economy after clinching the Democratic presidential nomination, Obama drew a sharp contrast between his economic policies and those of John McCain, his Republican rival in the November election.
"I'll make oil companies like Exxon pay a tax on their windfall profits, and we'll use the money to help families pay for their skyrocketing energy costs and other bills," the Illinois senator said.
Launching a two-week focus on the economy after clinching the Democratic presidential nomination, Obama drew a sharp contrast between his economic policies and those of John McCain, his Republican rival in the November election.
"I'll make oil companies like Exxon pay a tax on their windfall profits, and we'll use the money to help families pay for their skyrocketing energy costs and other bills," the Illinois senator said.
Take...profits. To help...poor people. What other bills, I wonder? Considering they consider cable TV an entitled utility now. WEALTH REDISTRIBUTION, IS IT?
What a freaking clown. Sure, Obama. Chase all the oil companies to Dubai.
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSWAT00963020080609
Post by: Regolith on June 09, 2008, 09:40:55 AM
Post by: Manedwolf on June 09, 2008, 09:43:15 AM
Only a democrat could think that TAXING a company is going to make the price of their product go DOWN.
Yes. Two possible outcomes.
1. Oil companies say "screw this" and move major operations to the UAE.
2. Oil companies pass costs on to the consumer.
Also...isn't that something Jimmeh tried, and it killed domestic production?
Post by: Standing Wolf on June 09, 2008, 10:00:27 AM
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Launching a two-week focus on the economy after clinching the Democratic presidential nomination...
Sorry, but that's a decade longer than the attention span of either Obama or the self-styled "news" media. He's in it for a few sound bites.
Post by: Sergeant Bob on June 09, 2008, 10:05:29 AM
Post by: Scout26 on June 09, 2008, 11:35:09 AM
Only a democrat could think that TAXING a company is going to make the price of their product go DOWN.
Paddy will be along shortly to explain how this works..........
Post by: Ryan in Maine on June 09, 2008, 02:16:34 PM
Post by: Manedwolf on June 09, 2008, 04:19:17 PM
I'm honestly scared of Obama. I've never really been worried about the US before. Not like this. I'm scared. Seriously.
I'm just rather depressed that the no-thought-beyond-American-Idle crowd really could truly destroy the country with their votes this time.
Post by: Sergeant Bob on June 09, 2008, 04:24:46 PM
I'm honestly scared of Obama. I've never really been worried about the US before. Not like this. I'm scared. Seriously.
I'm just rather depressed that the no-thought-beyond-American-Idle crowd really could truly destroy the country with their votes this time.
I've talked to a few Obama "supporters" and their reasons for liking him equate to "He's someone different" and "I like the way he talks".
Post by: Green Lantern on June 09, 2008, 05:09:27 PM
I'm honestly scared of Obama. I've never really been worried about the US before. Not like this. I'm scared. Seriously.
I'm just rather depressed that the no-thought-beyond-American-Idle crowd really could truly destroy the country with their votes this time.
I've talked to a few Obama "supporters" and their reasons for liking him equate to "He's someone different" and "I like the way he talks".
You know, that sounds disturbingly familiar...they aren't subconsciously tapping out a little beat all the time, are they?
"Here....come.....THE DRUMS!!!!!"
Post by: Gowen on June 09, 2008, 07:16:34 PM
Post by: Manedwolf on June 09, 2008, 07:18:59 PM
Post by: Perd Hapley on June 09, 2008, 08:18:32 PM
Huh?
Post by: longeyes on June 09, 2008, 10:05:57 PM
Obama and the Obamatons are going to be the nettle that starts the Great Turn-Around. There may be some discomfort and pain first but "nettle in dock out." He and his Children's Crusade are not going to wreck America--because we are not going to let him. Maybe we will even begin to start questioning the reaches of suffrage in America after watching utter foolishness take us to the brink.
Post by: The Annoyed Man on June 10, 2008, 01:09:25 AM
Htp://media.cleantech.com/node554 . Billions. They're playing Robin Hood anyway.
Post by: MicroBalrog on June 10, 2008, 01:12:21 AM
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He and his Children's Crusade are not going to wreck America--because we are not going to let him.
You and whose army?
Conservatives let FDR, LBJ, and Carter happen.
They let Bush (who is not a real conservative) and Nixon (who was not a real conservative) and McCain (who was never a conservative, real or otherwise) take charge in their own party.
Seriously, why do you think something is going to magically get better overnight now?
Post by: charby on June 10, 2008, 04:45:19 AM
Obama will be remembered as the dumbest "brilliant" guy ever to cavort on the political stage.
Only Second to W.
Post by: longeyes on June 10, 2008, 05:56:56 AM
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You and whose army?
Conservatives let FDR, LBJ, and Carter happen.
They let Bush (who is not a real conservative) and Nixon (who was not a real conservative) and McCain (who was never a conservative, real or otherwise) take charge in their own party.
Seriously, why do you think something is going to magically get better overnight now?
Conservatives let FDR, LBJ, and Carter happen.
They let Bush (who is not a real conservative) and Nixon (who was not a real conservative) and McCain (who was never a conservative, real or otherwise) take charge in their own party.
Seriously, why do you think something is going to magically get better overnight now?
That's the spirit, Micro.
Well, magical thinking got us here; maybe realistic thinking will get us out. You never know. If Americans stand around and let their nation be scuttled by the Pied Piper I'll be very surprised. Obama's honeymoon will end quickly enough. Magical thinking is powerful; survival is more powerful.
I think T.E. Lawrence was right: "Nothing is written."
Post by: MicroBalrog on June 12, 2008, 02:58:14 AM
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Obama's honeymoon will end quickly enough.
The issue, unfortunately, is not Obama - who is no doubt a very talented politician and charismatic man.
The issue is that millions of people - including many people who vote 'Republican' have accepted, most of them without questioning, the initial assumptions of the Welfare State - that the 'third rails' are all here to stay forever, that the post-New-Deal system is all good, and so forth.
Until the conservatives manage to create a consistent positive program - what are we going to do to fix America? - as opposed to just whining 'vote for the Republican because the Democrat is slightly worse', you're just postponing the collapse of America.
Now, I do not mean that America will become something like an Argentina, Take Two.
Rather, I think the welfare-statists will find some form of point at which they can take a lot of money in taxes, but still not enough to screw over the economy completely, and America will pitter-patter like this for a few more decades or even centuries - think of the European countries. You will even have economic growth and moderate wealth. But nothing even approaching the greatness you could have had, had you been free.
Post by: Werewolf on June 12, 2008, 07:24:00 AM
I'm honestly scared of Obama. I've never really been worried about the US before. Not like this. I'm scared. Seriously.
Welcome to the club...
Post by: longeyes on June 12, 2008, 07:41:56 AM
I don't think Obama is that talented or charismatic. I think he's a useful tool with many very powerful friends on whose shoulders he is riding. That he can fool millions of people who shouldn't be voting in the first place is no great surprise given the devolution of our mass culture and the deliberate destruction of moral values.
Meanwhile...
I think computers are too expensive, don't you? Why not windfall profit taxes on Dell, IBM, Microsoft, and Apple? A MacBook and iPod in every pot?
Post by: MicroBalrog on June 13, 2008, 12:37:30 AM
To think that a leader that's to the right of anybody who's in charge of any European country can reduce it to Argentina levels overnight is insane.
Post by: Perd Hapley on June 13, 2008, 01:34:17 AM
Post by: Werewolf on June 13, 2008, 10:49:03 AM
America is the wealthiest, freest, most powerful country in the world.
To think that a leader that's to the right of anybody who's in charge of any European country can reduce it to Argentina levels overnight is insane.
To think that a leader that's to the right of anybody who's in charge of any European country can reduce it to Argentina levels overnight is insane.
Not if you combine that leader with a Congress controlled by Democrats it isn't. If Obama wins the Dems will run amok.
Post by: Manedwolf on June 13, 2008, 10:54:06 AM
America is the wealthiest, freest, most powerful country in the world.
To think that a leader that's to the right of anybody who's in charge of any European country can reduce it to Argentina levels overnight is insane.
To think that a leader that's to the right of anybody who's in charge of any European country can reduce it to Argentina levels overnight is insane.
The Dems were able to take over NH's legislature due to a combination of people blindly voting "against the war" and idiot MA transplants.
In ONE TERM...just ONE TERM, they completely blew away a budget surplus and turned it into a shortfall of millions by expanding entitlement programs, threw money at dead-end mass transit studies, railroaded NH into a carbon cap that will make everyone's power bill go WAY up, are calling for raising taxes, trying to make people do away with a pledge against sales and income taxes, they banned smoking in restaurants, tried a seatbelt law, and tried to change CCW rules, the latter two defeated only due to the efforts of the Republicans left.
The Dems in the majority in the House and Senate will go batsh*t INSANE if Obama is elected, and he'll sign everything.
Post by: longeyes on June 17, 2008, 09:01:47 AM
Post by: The Annoyed Man on June 17, 2008, 09:47:29 AM
Post by: Manedwolf on June 17, 2008, 10:02:04 AM
This incessant 'socialist' mantra from the right is getting tedious. Nobody has expanded government size, power, spending and debt as much as George W. Bush. Obama is becoming a populist, along the lines of Theodore Roosevelt. He may very well win this election.
Is that a "populist" now to lie about everything to please whatever group you happen to be speaking to at the moment?
Post by: The Annoyed Man on June 17, 2008, 10:19:41 AM
Republicans should be nervous. Oh, and you can lay it all at the feet of GWB. Without him, none of the above would be possible.
Thanks, George. You're the best friend the Dems ever had.
Post by: Werewolf on June 17, 2008, 12:09:29 PM
Quote from: Paddy
Obama is becoming a populist, along the lines of Theodore Roosevelt. He may very well win this election.
Teddy's turning over in his grave about now itching for the day when Paddy makes his way into heaven so he can teach him the error of his ways.Comparing Theodore Roosevelt to Obama. Man that is one heck of a stretch on the gun issue alone...
Post by: longeyes on June 17, 2008, 09:04:06 PM
Quote
Republicans should be nervous. Oh, and you can lay it all at the feet of GWB. Without him, none of the above would be possible.
Thanks, George. You're the best friend the Dems ever had.
Thanks, George. You're the best friend the Dems ever had.
The Democrats may win this Election but it will not be because of Bush, regardless of his manifest deficiencies. What we are seeing has taken a long time brewing. The hatred of Bush by so many is not the deserved criticism directed against a flawed leader, it is something of a different color altogether, a tidal wave of irrationality, narcissism, self-loathing-cum-self-importance, and moral sliding that has been growing since the '60s. Along with all of that we have seen massive internal demographic changes. This is not the America any more that elected Reagan, and Reagan today would probably lose in a landslide. In my view we are seeing a storm of delusional thinking that will lead to severe convulsions in the American body politic in the next several years, with dramatic and unpredictable results.
No, it's not Bush. He is just one more footman serving the Grand Plan. And whether it's McCain or Obama the play will go on.
Post by: grey54956 on June 19, 2008, 05:50:24 PM
I generally don't want the gov't in my face for any reason. I have this bad feeling that whatever damage is done will be very, very difficult and expensive to undo, if it's even possible at all...
Let's hope that the price isn't in blood.
Post by: 41magsnub on June 19, 2008, 07:05:48 PM
Of course the reality is there is dealing behind the scenes, special interests, lobbying, and etc so a lot of bad stuff gets passed anyway...
Post by: Balog on June 19, 2008, 08:43:26 PM
I am concerned that the Dems will have entirely too much power should Obama win. Should he win, and should the Dems increase their power in Congress, you can basically count on the SCOTUS being stacked with leftists. Any and all Dem sponsored bills will essentially be rubber stamped "APPROVED". Taxes will go through the roof, except for the poor of course. Curse the wealthy for having ambition, smarts, and a little luck, they should know better. Government will increase radically in size and power. Freedom will be a government controlled commodity, largely granted to the party elite. Personal arms gradually be outlawed. Thoughtcrimes will be prosecuted.
I generally don't want the gov't in my face for any reason. I have this bad feeling that whatever damage is done will be very, very difficult and expensive to undo, if it's even possible at all...
Let's hope that the price isn't in blood.
I generally don't want the gov't in my face for any reason. I have this bad feeling that whatever damage is done will be very, very difficult and expensive to undo, if it's even possible at all...
Let's hope that the price isn't in blood.
And you think John "reach across the aisle and have Ted Kennedy write our immigration policy" McCain would be better? John "opposed the Bush tax cuts" McCain? John "he managed for profit not patriotism" McCain? John "gunshow loophole" McCain? John "McCain-Feingold" McCain? John "let's sign Kyoto" McCain?
Post by: Sergeant Bob on June 20, 2008, 06:04:23 AM
I am concerned that the Dems will have entirely too much power should Obama win. Should he win, and should the Dems increase their power in Congress, you can basically count on the SCOTUS being stacked with leftists. Any and all Dem sponsored bills will essentially be rubber stamped "APPROVED". Taxes will go through the roof, except for the poor of course. Curse the wealthy for having ambition, smarts, and a little luck, they should know better. Government will increase radically in size and power. Freedom will be a government controlled commodity, largely granted to the party elite. Personal arms gradually be outlawed. Thoughtcrimes will be prosecuted.
I generally don't want the gov't in my face for any reason. I have this bad feeling that whatever damage is done will be very, very difficult and expensive to undo, if it's even possible at all...
Let's hope that the price isn't in blood.
I generally don't want the gov't in my face for any reason. I have this bad feeling that whatever damage is done will be very, very difficult and expensive to undo, if it's even possible at all...
Let's hope that the price isn't in blood.
And you think John "reach across the aisle and have Ted Kennedy write our immigration policy" McCain would be better? John "opposed the Bush tax cuts" McCain? John "he managed for profit not patriotism" McCain? John "gunshow loophole" McCain? John "McCain-Feingold" McCain? John "let's sign Kyoto" McCain?
Lalalalalalalalala!!!Ican'thearyouSupremeCourtJudges!!!Lalalalalalalalala!!!!!!!!BetterthanObama!!!Lalalalala!!!!
Post by: Scout26 on June 20, 2008, 10:15:16 AM
Quote from: Manedwolf
The Dems in the majority in the House and Senate will go batsh*t INSANE if Obama is elected, and he'll sign everything.
Would someone just let me know when we're past the awkward stage.
Post by: Manedwolf on June 20, 2008, 11:28:46 AM
Quote from: Manedwolf
The Dems in the majority in the House and Senate will go batsh*t INSANE if Obama is elected, and he'll sign everything.
Would someone just let me know when we're past the awkward stage.
That would be when they knock on your door to inspect your arsenal.
Post by: Headless Thompson Gunner on June 20, 2008, 11:47:08 AM
Quote from: Manedwolf
The Dems in the majority in the House and Senate will go batsh*t INSANE if Obama is elected, and he'll sign everything.
Would someone just let me know when we're past the awkward stage.
That would be when they knock on your door to inspect your arsenal.
How about when they socialize the health care industry, so that everyone can receive cost-no-object health care for free?
How about when they destroy every sort of heavy industry, to save the climate from a make-believe threat?
How about when they confiscate the profits of any sort of successful business man or investor, to prevent Wall St from exploiting Main St?
Just about everything that makes modern civilization work is under assault by Obama and his ilk. Do we have to wait until after they've destroyed it before we act?
Post by: Manedwolf on June 20, 2008, 11:59:59 AM
Quote from: Manedwolf
The Dems in the majority in the House and Senate will go batsh*t INSANE if Obama is elected, and he'll sign everything.
Would someone just let me know when we're past the awkward stage.
That would be when they knock on your door to inspect your arsenal.
How about when they socialize the health care industry, so that everyone can receive cost-no-object health care for free?
How about when they destroy every sort of heavy industry, to save the climate from a make-believe threat?
How about when they confiscate the profits of any sort of successful business man or investor, to prevent Wall St from exploiting Main St?
Just about everything that makes modern civilization work is under assault by Obama and his ilk. Do we have to wait until after they've destroyed it before we act?
I don't think we should. But the Paulians have this strange idea that they can just wait for everything to fall apart, then run around with their rifle yelling "Wolverines!" or something and it'll all be alright again.
Nope. If it breaks, it'll be broken, and probably completely unfixable. You can't unburn the firewood.
Post by: Scout26 on June 20, 2008, 12:08:42 PM
Just don't drink the Brawndo.....
Post by: Manedwolf on June 20, 2008, 12:11:40 PM
I gotta disagreee. I think we're like an addict and only when we hit rock bottom will we snap out of it. It may take a revolution or civil war, but I hope not.
Just don't drink the Brawndo.....
Just don't drink the Brawndo.....
Spend some time in a large corporation where you get to see the millions of transactions going on every second, where you realize just how complex is the web we've woven for ourselves, the supply chains that depend on things being right everywhere at once, or they'll all tumble down.
No. If it breaks, it's broken. We have far, far too many people now to accommodate any sort of "simpler life" soft landing. It would be horrific.
Post by: grey54956 on June 20, 2008, 03:08:04 PM
Good thing that the gov't will have outlawed most effective private arms. This will ensure that gov't agents can defend themselves and the gov't from the angry mobs. Private citizens will have no such protections, however.
In all of this, please remember that soylent green is actually made of people. Soylent red and yellow might be unpalatable, but green is made of people.
All in all, we are probably SOL at this point. Once broken, our country would be largely beyond repair. It might be possible that some states or municipalities may actually be able to return to some sensible order, but all in all, the situation would be bad. And once te US falls, the rest of the world will probably follow suit. Hope we're all ready for a second dark age.
Post by: longeyes on June 21, 2008, 10:04:37 AM
Before the nation totally crumbles into warlordism, people like ourselves will try to shore up what still works while we can. To me that means some form of secession. When that will happen I don't know, but if Obama is elected it probably isn't that far off.
When they try to ban private ownership of arms and Rush is silenced, the canary in the mineshaft will have croaked, and that will be the time to get real and serious.