Meet Barack Hussein Mugabe

[ramseya]

and what will prevent oil companies from treating this tax like every other tax and passing it onto the consumer anyway?

This proposal does not add a single drop of oil, does not curb demand at all, nor will it lower the price at the pump.

Wow. Obama spent a few days talking to Buffet, Volcker, and Bernanke, and came up with the best way to lower supply and get higher oil prices!

[rmsharpe]

Originally posted by DirtyMartini
I think there's been little debate on the issue because most of us agree that it's a pretty bad idea. Moreover, I'm not concerned about it because I think it's empty rhetoric. It makes me (further) doubt Obama's sincerity, but I mainly see it as a way for him to try to beef up his progressive image as he otherwise continues to drift toward the center.

He's got a long way left to drift if he thinks he can get out from William Ayres (terrorist) and his other associates.

[Jon Miller]

I would say that the idea is Bushian, as it is all flash and nothing real. Sort of like the stimulus package.

JM

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by rmsharpe

Have all of the Obama zombies repudiated his stupidity yet? If not, then I haven't gotten what I wanted.

good point

[ramseya]

Jon Miller:

Bush's stimulus packages at least had some support in economic theory and at the very least, enabled some additional spending to boost the economy, even if the small % of people who spent it meant that its effect on growth was less than an equal amount of gov't spending.

This stuff is just stupid.

[Zkribbler]

Have all of the Obama zombies repudiated his stupidity yet? If not, then I haven't gotten what I wanted.

Define "stupidity."

Granted, it's a pretty pointless thing to do. But McCain's plan for us to drill our way of the energy crisis is also pointless. And at least Obama's plan puts come cash into consumer's pockets and will help bouy the economy.

[ramseya]

Zkribbler:

But it doesn't address either supply or demand issues (actually, it'll probably negatively affect supply), whereas at least McCain's plan for more drilling will at least increase supply while more research can be done to develop alternatives.

[DirtyMartini]

Originally posted by ramseya
This proposal does not add a single drop of oil, does not curb demand at all, nor will it lower the price at the pump.

That's why it empty rhetoric. Honestly, all this guy has to do between now and November is coast. He's in a good spot right now, just don't screw up. Make proposals that appeal to public outrage and avoid controversy -- "hey dude, did you see Exxon getting rich off this $4 gas? That sucks". "Yeah, but Obama said he'll tax em up, serves those greedy corporations right". -- and just general avoid any controversy. He wins. I mean, it's not like McCain is going to out debate him. 2000 and 2004 clearly demonstrated that the american people don't care about the content of the debates. Bush lost every debate on the issues handily. However, he looked better on TV and seemed like a guy to get a beer with. Obama is the more charismatic candidate. McCain can barely deliver a full sentence without people falling asleep. Whatever, I'm getting off topic, my point is it's empty soundbite politics, not actual policy.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by rmsharpe
How are they a far cry from each other? How is it that they're not almost exactly alike?

I'll grant you the land seizures were probably extrajudicial (which wouldn't matter in Zimbabwe's case since ZANU runs everything) but how is raiding Exxon and Chevron not just a repeat of such events?

If you can't see how they are different, I'd argue your schooling was deficient. When we see Exxon and Chevron executives chased from their HQs and forced to give up their lands.. well, then we'll talk.

[Victor Galis]

Originally posted by rah
It's fun to watch people pick on McCain's knowledge. They are blinded to Obama's weakness in the same areas. Or does anyone here claim that Obama is an accomplished economist.

He'd pick a better advisor on the topic. I suspect he's slightly better than McCain on the issue if he doesn't give in to protectionism.

[ramseya]

DirtyMartini:

And what do you suppose? That by the time Obama takes the oath of office, oil prices will have dropped and everybody will have forgotten about this idea? If not, what if Obama goes through with this?

[Asher]

There are no words to describe how tame this policy is and how ridiculous the comparison is.

As an outsider, it's telling me McCain supporters are in full-on panic mode.

[DirtyMartini]

Originally posted by ramseya
DirtyMartini:

And what do you suppose? That by the time Obama takes the oath of office, oil prices will have dropped and everybody will have forgotten about this idea? If not, what if Obama goes through with this?

I suppose that like all other elected officials, he (and we) will forget 95% of his promises by the time he gets into office.

[DirtyMartini]

Originally posted by Asher
how ridiculous the comparison is.

wait...the dude who compared Obama to Mugabe is prone to hyperbole?

[GePap]

Originally posted by ramseya
Zkribbler:

But it doesn't address either supply or demand issues (actually, it'll probably negatively affect supply), whereas at least McCain's plan for more drilling will at least increase supply while more research can be done to develop alternatives.

By the time drilling could even start (2017), it won;t make much difference to oil prices unless demand failed to grow as expected, due to either a real shift in energy sources, or economic hard times worldwide.