ANSWERS: 38
  • I hope not! Communism has never been sucessful. Socialism only slightly better. He's going to lose lots of votes on this one.
  • Only when they are screwing the entire country. The oil companies have gone way beyond acceptable business, and are now screwing everyone over with insane prices that are not called for!
  • He would like to. It has failed every where else so why not have it fail here also. This is his first step to nationalization. I hope the oil companies move overseas if this happens.
  • When I am paying tax dollars to subsidize them so they can make record breaking profits, I agree with him. These companies are not making money legally, they are refusing to abide to court orders, they are damaging the environment (which is now a sin?!?). What he is saying is that rather than give tax breaks and subsidies to companies, it's time to enforce regulations and have them pay thier share.
  • That was the attitude that turned a series of little depressions into the Great Depression of the previous century, according to Vedder and Galloway (see "Out of Work" for their theory). Guv forced companies to keep paying employees they couldn't afford and didn't need, and to take dangerous measures to artificially inflate the economy, until it felt apart in devastating fashion. This historical precedent says that Obama would cripple the world economy if he were to enact his plan on any scale large enough to have an appreciable effect. Somebody needs to tell him how bad is his idea, and to forget about doing it.
  • Ok. Here's the problem with Obama's latest ad (from PA) and his "insinuation" that other candidates are taking money from "Big Oil".......... They're not. Becasue it's illegal to do so. And has been since 1907. "It's true that Obama doesn't take money directly from oil companies, but then, no presidential, House or Senate candidate does. They can't: Corporations have been prohibited from contributing directly to federal candidates since the Tillman Act became law in 1907. Obama has, however, accepted more than $213,000 in contributions from individuals who work for, or whose spouses work for, companies in the oil and gas industry, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That's not as much as Sen. Hillary Clinton, who has received more than $306,000 in donations from people tied to the industry, but it's still a substantial amount." http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/obamas_oil_spill.html *******I realize I didn't really answer your question, but I felt like this needed to be said....misinformation can be even more toxic than outright lies, and in my opinion, Obama's commercial is trying to mislead and manipulate the American people....
  • There comes a time when "shaking things up a bit" is more important than virtually everything else. The current crop of presidential prospects generaly means just more of what we've been having, with possibly one exception. Are you prepared to live with that? Obama is not perfect, far from it, but who else is there to stir the pot? I've been a Reputlican most of my adult life, but this time, I strongly suspect I will vote for Obama. BTW ... I'll be 65 next month. :D There is more than ample precedent for limiting the power and influence of those "making money legally." Ever hear the term "Robber Barons?" Look it up and read what happened to them.
  • It's a big myth. Many politicians try to blame "Big Oil" on the U.S.'s energy problems, when if fact the blame lies at the feet of Congress. It's a red herring, being used as a political tool. Oil companies profit about 7.5 cents on every gallon of gas sold, taxes total about 47 cents per gallon, depending on state. Oil companies pay a higher tax rate than any other industry, about 44%, the average for industry is about 27%. Politicians, pressured by environmentalists have passed nonsensical legislation that has led to the U.S. being a net importer of oil when this is not necessary. There is enough oil under American soil to meet our own needs and make us a net exporter of oil. One of the biggest downsides to this is that money is largely going to people who would do us harm, and it has done big damage to the U.S. economy. It's about time we face the truth, reverse these idiotic policies, and get it right for a change.
  • Yes that is exactly what he means. I'd be surprised if he doesn't tap Hugo Chavez for his VP.
  • He is saying he is going to make sure these oil companies, don't keep making money by overcharging us. It has nothing to do with how they spend their money, just how they make it. He wants to help control cost for Americans. The oil we are using for gas now was paid for years ago, when oil was not what they are charging now, but the price we pay is based on the price of oil now. He wants to protect us from that stuff. Them making a 1000% profit, and we keep getting poorer by spending $4 a gallon on gas worth $2 a gallon
  • Yes. He's a far-left wing liberal, who wants to revamp the American economy into a Soviet-style one.
  • obama wants a windfall profits tax on oil companies.corporations do not pay taxes.consumers pay taxes. if the oil companies are taxed more,the tax WILL be passed through to who? THE CONSUMER..
  • A Radical Muslim will say anything, you cannot be naive enough to fall for what one says rather look for what one doesn't say...
  • No, he's spewing to populist sound bites. It'll never come up if he gets into office.
  • Obama is right (even though I sure dont support him) about big oil companies. And FYI oil in Venezuela is 9 cents a litre and in the United Emirates is 19 cents a litre whereas in Canada right now where I am its 1.53 a litre... so tell me there isnt any price gouging? What it comes down to is the USA and Canada were morons when they decided to export their own oil and import OPEC oil. Lots of polititicians and their friends got rich but the average consumer got screwed. This winter in Canada people will freeze and it will be the poor and the old because their income is not even close to stand up to these energy costs. I am seriously afraid for people who live in cold areas of my country because its out of control here. If Obama or any politician can right this, the more power to them because the innocent are going to suffer.
  • Yes. Hussein Obama is a radical Islamo Fascist and a true Marxist. He will ruin the country.
  • Am I the only person who is amazed that people support a guy who wants to stand in the way of American companies being successful? You want to recoup some money? Take away welfare, and force all the lazy-ass scroungers to go to work and pay back OUR money to us taxpayers. Which is more harmful to a nation, successful corporations who employ hundreds of thousands, or fat, lazy, drug addicts sucking up our money to buy booze, Doritos and cigarettes?
  • This guy will tax you to death in the name of more government and who is making energy right now? Tax them more and see prices go even higher
  • Big oil is NOT responsible for gas prices. Infact, exxonmobil's profit margin has been pretty steady and lurking around 9%-10% since 2003. So Obama thinks Big Oil is causing the surge, I'm amazed at his ignorance. http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2008/05/27/big-oil-ruined-my-life.aspx
  • You're assuming that they're making money legally, and even in the case that a practice is technically legal, assuming that the law allowing it is sound. These corporations are granted quite a few rights, some of which may seem reasonable enough, but when actually put into practice, leave loopholes for huge abuses of power. And all too often, you can see corporations actively trying to evade even the restrictions placed on them. One very important consideration to make when considering the rights we give to corporations, is that what constitutes "Reasonable" liberties varies massively depending on how much the person/organization in question needs to support them/itself. Giving people enough rights to support themselves is perfectly reasonable, because each individual will probably not consume much more than their share, simply because of how people and their natural appetites work. Corporations, on the other hand, can and usually will take as much as they can, and just keep on growing. And with the level of money and power the bigger ones have at their disposal, that can cause some major issues.
  • Most of these companies are international and not subject the US regulations, taxes, etc. The US has little authority to affect many of these (too big)companies. Executive branch (PREZ) cannot overturn the rule of law, contractual or regulatory. He can indicate disapproval and can influence things like tariffs - but alot of that would hurt the US more than the offender(s). Making statements of that nature shows naivete on Obama's part.
  • The oil and energy companies haven't done anything wrong. It's just part of Obama's demonizing of all big business so the government can come in and run them.
  • The fact is that unless he changes the Constitution, he has no authority to "regulate how private cos spend their profits" but he can exert influence, re banks, corps, car cos, & most recently, credit card companies. If they don't take "stimulus" money or otherwise voluntarily give up rights - they can tell him to go pound sand.
  • I rembember his saying that.Still need that president.Reason being those profits are still being made.And they should be.Actually the biggest reason is the fact that it used to be you went into business to make a buck.The government doesnt do bad with the tax on oil products chief among them of course is gas.Wouldnt be suprised if he tried to regulate how private companies spent those profits.Is My opinion.Doesnt make it right or wrong.Just Mine.
  • No, you are saying he is saying it. big difference.
  • No, he is saying that he will resist their lobbying for tax breaks and weakening of environmental protection laws in order to increase their profits. They are welcome to make and spend their profits within the law, but the must be made for the national good and not to maximise their profits.
  • Just because it's "legal" doesn't mean it's ethical. If a law is passed that legalises child molesting, does it make it right?
  • He is simply being a politician and pandering to his followers as gas prices are on the rise. As Pontius often says, "Hate the game, not the player"
  • Thats the wish of Liberal government to control everything . They don't like any private company being able to pay well and offer employee's benifit's they want everone on welfare and foodstamps , that way the Government has control over everyone and their hands in every money pot there is .
  • He is just talking out of his rear as usual. He can not tell people what to do with the money they earn.
  • I think the guy is nuts. In the past 20 years, has a single refining plant been built? NO? Thank a liberal! (Idiots!) How about cheap electricity? When did we last let a nuclear one be built? Yeah? Thank a liberal! (Idiots!) Solar power? It's takes ACRES to power just a small company. How about the mega companies? Now he wants this damn carbon tax? Oh Lord...Please save us...
  • I think there is an underlying problem that mandates that he take these extreme measures against the oil companies. If you are familiar with the Peak Oil theory, then you understand that if he does not force a reduction in consumption, then we will be forced to by peak oil anyways. One method is orderly and less painful. The other way is very disorderly, and extremely painful. But the reduction in consumption is required either way.
  • The Prezofdebt commands you to bow and accept the policy change and the change you get from his minions of change who'll change tey way that they think it should change. Don't believe for a moment, they give a crap about you. Prez elect is a popularity contest. But he's done some things that will come back and hurt us. The things that haunt us will be the people who died from his wimpness...
  • No he is saying he will tax them more and raise the price of Gasoline to you and I. He is talking from the poor to give to the rich.
  • Funny how he is willing to "Stand Up" to the big oil companies, but kisses the terrorists ass.
  • Yes he seeks to regulate everything.
  • Its Democrats like him that raise the prices of oil to $5 a gallon and raises taxes on utilities. How is this helping the average American taxpayer?

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