Arm and a Leg
February 24, 2012 | Filed Under Editorial Cartoons
« Moving the Goal Posts | Blood Ba’athist »
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9 Responses to “Arm and a Leg”
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« Moving the Goal Posts | Blood Ba’athist »
February 24, 2012 | Filed Under Editorial Cartoons
9 Responses to “Arm and a Leg”
Leave a Reply
Hopefully the rest of Europe and the US will finally take heed.
And if something isn’t done about the cost at the pump, American drivers are going to be leaving the same with the oil companies.
I don’t expect our “Fearless Leader” to admit to being able to do anything for anybody, but this steady increase will get the people’s attention. His speech in Miami was the nearest thing to “I don’t know what I’m doing” I’ve heard from any politician and that includes the latest from the Republican candidates the other night.
Sorry for the segway but that’s where this cartoon took me!
If we don’t pay attention to the icrease in our deficit, we’ll be going the way of the Greeks! At my age, I can’t see me throwing “Molotov Cocktails” at riot police. But, hey, it may be a way to get some exercise!
Jim: The president controls gas prices now? Yeah, sure.
Jim, Congress could do a lot for gas prices by doing something about speculation, which isn’t going to happen because the speculators fund the campaigns of many of Congress’ members. The only thing the president could do is use the bully pulpit to make it an issue. No drilling or pipeline building will, by itself, have a significant impact in gas prices.
If you’re worried about deficits, you should ask the Republican candidates why they want to potentially throw away another trillion or two by invading Iran.
Grits & Gravity & Kevin -
What about the use of an old time political method of getting these oil company’s attention - Jaw Boning! Harry Truman was famous for its use and it worked! That’s where the “Powers-That-Be” advise that when “our” (like in its drilled here) oil is refined and labeled to ship overseas, an export tax is attached. This tax is to be placed in a fund marked for use by the American People. Now, I said “people,” not Congress or the administration. The people are the ones hurting in this price run up.
As far as the “speculators” are concerned, there have been times when both parties have had ultimate power in Congress but neither have done anything to curb or regulate the powers of these speculators. It not like this is anything new or surprising when it comes to gas prices. This country has been up and down, over and out (no, not Frank Sinatra) so many times yet there is no move afoot from those who can do anything will make any changes. Think maybe Congress has any money invested with the speculators? After all, they just now changed the law restricting members of this esteem body from any “insider trading.” The only thing the oil companies lack in this pricing is a gun and a mask!
G&G - One thing about Iran. Based on my reading/study of that part of the world, you invade Iran, you own it. We’re just now out of its next door neighbor, Iraq, and what happens there is left to be seen. Afghanistan is the next tar baby the US has got to extract itself. That’s really going to be a trick based on there aren’t any safe means to remove our troops and personnel. Look up some history of The First Afghan War, 1838-1842. See what happened to the Brits in their bit of diplomatic meddling. We’re in that same situation now even with modern technology and transport. Let’s hope someone in power understands the implications of what’s happening right now.
Gas keeps climbing, it’ll be too expense to purchase for even “Molotov Cocktails!”
Good chat, Gentlemen!
Kevin & Jim: You’re on to something about the speculators. Before regulation changes that limited commodities traders’ holdings relative to the ACTUAL amount of barrels they owned, speculators accounted for about 20% of the oil market.
Now they account for 60%.
I’m not holding my breath for Congress to change things anytime soon though.
I’m liking the idea of the export tax(since oil is a global product), but considering how adept big business is at avoiding taxes here in the US, I’m not sure that would work.
I strongly suspect that skyrocketing gas prices are being orchestrated by Obama and friends so that when it gets closer to election time he can become the nations hero by “intervening” to get them lowered.
J.G.: Yes, and this president also fixed the Super Bowl so the Giants could win.
Do you hear yourself?