E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSFrom NBC’s Libby Leist
Senators Chuck Schumer and Claire McCaskill kept up the drum beat against big oil companies this morning in a press conference in the Senate gallery. The Senators are asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate oil refineries who they say have cut back on capacity and doubled their profits in the past six months.
McCaskill said gas prices have caused a "gut punch" to her constituents in Missouri. She asked why refineries - some controlled by the oil companies - are operating at 81% capacity.
"They have obviously enjoyed a great deal of increase in profit, just because they decided to deliver less fuel to Missourians and Americans across this country," she said.
McCaskill said a reduced supply of fuel may be contributing to higher gas prices.
Schumer told reporters, "less oil is produced, more is being exported. Sounds like a recipe to keep prices high."
Leave a Comment:
As well they should!
Here's how the MAJORITY of Americans feel about BIG Oil!
Appears we've found some common ground we can ALL agree with well, except for the baggers!
Americans know who’s to blame for spiking gas prices: Big Oil and Wall Street.
These are the buffoons republicants/teabaggers will die for and appease them if need be. that's why they have the audacity to think and say to our face that americans believe in shared prosperity and not shared sacrifice.
republicans set priorities are unbelievably baffling.........beyond human comprehension.
Feisty - there's even more.
The majority of purchases of oil contracts on the commodities exchange is made by Wall Street speculators - 68%. Hedge funds and outfits like Goldman, Sachs buy these contracts, and then turn them around quickly for a fat profit. According to a news analysis published this morning, it hasn't been unusual for prices to vary as much as $5 a barrel in one day.
Only 32% of oil contracts, in contrast, are bought by end users, such as refineries and airlines.
Oil prices have been at $113 a barrel recently. But the oil industry itself said recently that demand for oil only supports a market price of around $73. So the effect of speculators on the price of oil has been $40 a barrel. That's more than 50% of the reasonable market rate, all in profits to day-traders on Wall Street.
Things were not always this way. Up until 1991, commodity exchange and government regulations limited the percentage of contracts allowed for speculators' trading to 40% per day. The rest was reserved for purchases by actual consumers of the oil.
"Deregulation" under the first President Bush created the conditions for this exploitation of the ultimate purchasers, whether bulk buyers like airlines, or home heating oil and gasoline consumers. Further "deregulation" of the consumer marketplace for refined products, set up under Reagan but not fully effective until the late 1990's, also allowed refiners, jobbers and distributors to manipulate the market further, as discussed in this article.
"Free market?" Baloney.
Thanks 'wing man' JohnA! ;o)
I see the democrats just fell short of their efforts to remove the subsidies to the big oil companies... perhaps they should get their story straight among themselves next time! The following is from a news article reporting on the vote. I see it's not only Obama, but Harry Reid who flip flops from an apparent lack of communication:
..."But Republicans opposed the bill, saying it won't relieve pain at the pump, a conclusion also reached by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who said on the Senate floor Tuesday that "it won't affect gas prices at all."
Reid then went on to say the opposite.
"We have to do something about the exorbitant gas prices, and the best way to start with that is to do something about the five big oil companies getting subsidies they don't need," he said.
"Is it just me ... or is their message on their bill incredibly contradictory?" asked a Republican aide to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell "
It sure looks like it Mitch.... again the 'Left' hand doesn't know what the other 'Left' hand is doing! More confusion among the democrats...
What a grasp of the obvious. Thanks for spreading what we all know, and have read for ourselves. LOL Do you offer fries with that? Can't wait for the litany of insults.
miked-332794
Your entire post is one big "Lie".
Nothing of the sort ws ever stated by Sen. Harry Reid on the Senate Floor or to any news media outlet. Source - Entire transcript from Senate Floor Hearings yesterday and Monday.
If you're going to post do not make up lies, it shows what an idiot you really are.
Miked,
Perhaps it is intended to be part of an over arching theme of cutting unnecessary waste? I don't feel the measure has ANYTHING to do with gas prices, since it has been determined the price at the pump is being driven by futures markets.
But it DOES go to the bigger theme which is that we need to CUT the things that aren't necessary. Propping up some of the most profitable companies in the history of the world seems reckless and foolish during these times. The companies that are claiming they will recoup that money by raising prices are the criminals here.
But if you need to 'score' this as a victory for the Corporatist Party, feel free. We now have footage of the Republican Defense of Government Handouts to those who don't need it. Cut Corporate Social Programs NOW!
Before anyone from the Right starts posting about how the Left thinks the oil companies are eeevil because they make a profit, keep in mind we DO NOT think any such thing. If they didn't make profits, how would we be able to get our energy and drive everywhere we go?
No, we don't think profits are a nasty word when discussing oil companies. We DO question the modifier 'RECORD' in front of the word profits, though, while everyione else is having to bite the bullet these days.
Big difference. But- please don't try to put words in our mouths, even though it sounds so cute on talk radio.
OK DBO, Sounds like you want a cap on the amount of profit that a company, any company, should be allowed to make. Just who decides that and how does that bring down the cost of gasoline? Surely you don't think the companies, any companies, are going to pass along money to us out of the goodness of their hearts? They exist to make profit for shareholders and workers. I admit I don't know enough about the oil industry to make broad brush claims that lowering the Oil companies profits would lower the cost of gasoline. Can't you admit the same thing, unless of course you know more than I do. If so, I'd like to learn.
It is called "Supply and Demand". If we didn't demand it ; there would be no profits to make.
Maybe you should think about moving your 401K into mineral and oil subsides instead of whining aboiut the profits. Point blank their is nothing Congress can do as long as Americans and that includes them continue to use fuel at a record level.
The oil companies are not the only ones benefitting from those profits. The job of those executives are to make as big a profit fot the shareholders as possible. BTW: When did the tax deductions become a subsidy? Everyone in America that pays taxes can take advantage of deductions the same as corporations.
I just think it is a lost cause and all Shumer and McCaskill wants is T.V. time. If those companies were to move overseas; the same demand would be here in the U.S. and no jobs.....
I saw Schumer on T.V. with his usual turning his head to the side and pointing with his hand extended.....lol I guess he believes that makes him look smarter.....lol
He needs to retire.
"Can't you admit the same thing, unless of course you know more than I do. If so, I'd like to learn."
Yes- I can say I admit to knowing a lot less about it than what I do know about it. If I knew, I wouldn't be sitting here, I'd be runing the show and making the big bucks. Maybe the extra coin isn't goin to the oil companies and to their stockholders and your IRA. Maybe it IS going into the pockets of the speculators. What ever it is, this is a hell of a time for it to be going on, don't you agree?
"I saw Schumer on T.V. with his usual turning his head to the side and pointing with his hand extended....."
Well, sure. That's what I always do when I want more T V time.
???????
When is Schumer not on camera?
So Chuck and Claire, vote on terminating the subsidies. I'm certain your oil lobby friends will take note and won't be sending you anymore campaign checks, but you're doing the moral and right thing.
Or is it your intention to just stand there and whine about it, and do what you do best, nothing . . . . . , except keep collecting the campaign checks?
Hey, at least Obama has the good sense to open up drilling. Supply and demand. Simple, yet for some reason such a strange concept for some libbies.
And I do appreciate your comments DBO, but let's face it Apple is making record profits, yet no one seems to pay no mind. Me, I'm just jealous of anyone making Record profits. Plus, unlike the GE's, Apples and other business, Big Oil pays an Assload of taxes. Fact is the government makes way more money from gas than does Big Oil.
Plus we need oil. Just a fact.
Right you are, Spank- we need oil. We don't NEED Apples. (ORANGES are another matter, though. I understand they create jobs bills in Congress or something......or not.)
Spanky...you hit the nail on the head by saying we need oil...we don't need Apple's products...so, because, like health care, oil and gas are necessaries for living, those who control it have all of us by the ba!!$ and can simply charge whatever they want, knowing we will use it.
Spanky-
Think out of the box. go out of your comfort zone. try owning the next economy.......think GREEN. it's not beyond you neither is it a rocket science. we don't need oil but innovation and new direction. these oil companies can do just that.
JoAnnaSmith1
So Chuck and Claire, vote on terminating the subsidies. I'm certain your oil lobby friends will take note and won't be sending you anymore campaign checks, but you're doing the moral and right thing.
Or is it your intention to just stand there and whine about it, and do what you do best, nothing . . . . . , except keep collecting the campaign checks?
Joanna, Joanna, you are talking about the wrong politicans, the republicans are the ones on the oil lobbys pocket, remember when BP almost screwed up the gulf, the republicans were the ones pissed that obama made them fork over the 20 billion. if the democrats were as you say collecting the campaign checks why did the congressmen from Texas say that making them pay for their mess unamerican?
Speaking of oil prices, the cost for a barrel of oil is back under 100 bucks but gas is still over 4bucks a gallon. Joanna the oil companies are screwing us over and i guess you ok with that. but then again you don't drive where you live, On the MOON
Top 20 recipients of oil and gas money in senate 12 republicans 8 democrats
house 16 republicans 4 democrats (but 3 of the top 5 are democrats)
http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/recips.php?ind=E01&cycle=2010&recipdetail=H&mem=Y&sortorder=U
http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/recips.php?ind=E01&cycle=2010&recipdetail=S&mem=Y&sortorder=U
They are all getting their palms greased by big oil...
To those of you chiding others about not understanding "supply and demand>'
You are utterly full of BS.
Demand is far below available supply. See my post #1.2 above about what has driven the price of oil in recent months.
And at base, what set up the opportunities for people to manipulate prices - and rip us off?
Republican deregulation.
Forget it, righties - between Wall Street and all level of the energy suppliers, the public is getting screwed for greed and greed alone.
Supply and demand is a farse when it comes to gasoline price manipulation. The demand is unchanged or slightly down due to the recession. So what do the oil companies do? They raise prices. When demand comes back they withhold supply to again raise the prices. Ohhhhhhh, middle east unrest, gotta raise the prices again. Oil goes up a dollar a barrel, prices immediately go up on gasoline but when it goes down gas slowly, very slowly inch down but never back where they were. The oil companies don't need corporate welfare, where are the Republicks demanding an end to the subsidies. Solar energy is the oil companies biggest nightmare and a reason they have squashed any efforts at renewables up to this point. They pay lip service, but they do not want to kill the cash cow. What can they do to control the supply of the sun.......hmmmm.
Sorry Puis - green sucks. It's insanely expensive, subsidized heavily and totally inefficient. Oil is cheap and very efficient.
Bottom line is the oil esmake the same amount $.09 per gallon. They have record rofits - slightly more than in years past because we buy more of it. If I work harder and bill more hours I'd make more money too. So what?
John it about supply. The speculators only profit be betting on reduced supply and increased costs. Supply is up and demand is down, which is why prices are dropping.
Too bad summer blends are coming. They cost more.
Spanky, if you had read my post #1.2, you wouldn't have been so dismissive.
Demand is DOWN. Refineries are operating at 80% or less of capacity.
The speculators trading in oil now are basically manipulating the prices of oil futures contracts with day-trading. It's a form of arbitrage unrelated to your comment. It has to do with deregulation of the energy industry and securities and commodity trading.
"Too bad summer blends are coming. They cost more."
Speaking of nonsense. Summer Blends. What happens when you fill er up in Minnesota on a late winter day, and gas up again down south a day or two later? If the gas in Minnesota was NOT summer blend, but the stuff down south was, will your engine 'splode? What if the stuff down south wasn't changed to summer blend, but it was in the 80's outside? Will the gas pumps 'splode? Oh, my! What a dillema!! No wonder the oil companies need so much dough. Just think about all that liability with al those 'sploding engines and gas pumps!
@JoannaSmith1---show us proof of Chuck and Claire receiving "checks" from oil companies please.
This is one area I think both sides can agree on.
Billions in profits each quarter, they are receiving subsidies as an incentive to explore and drill. This need to end.
Also realize that as crude prices rise on the spot market, the oil companies are charging you the newest price they've paid, not the oldest or the average of everything they've got in inventory. The increases are imposed immediately but as the price of oil declines, it takes weeks and even months to see a substantial decrease in prices.
There are so few refineries in this country that even running at maximum capacity, inventory is kept artificially low and prices high. We need to build more refineries and not drill baby drill.
So the speculators make money. The oil companies make money. The consumer always get the short end.
EXACTLY, Ira.
They are raising the prices at the pump on the cost of oil today - NOT what it cost them when they refined it. THAT is the whammy!
Their business practice is unethical; but our Senators can't seem to illustrate how crass they are because of their own issues with ethics.
That 'investigation' last week was LAME. And proved nothing. And the beat goes on...
"The consumer always get the short end."
A case in point, Ira:
The price of fuel goes up, the airlines raise your ticket price so THEY don't have to eat the increase. The price of fuel goes up, the company that delivers your tomatos from Florida to your grocery raise their prices so YOU can eat the increase (no pun intended), and on and on and on it goes. Hell, even your trash collector does it to you. BUT- try this:
Go to your boss, and say "Boss- I need you to give me a raise, because it now costs me more to get to work". Watch the laughter.
Oh, and did I mention- when the fuel surcharges get added to everything, they never go back down to previous levels. They just keep moving in the "up" direction only.
Particularly with our long-term strategy being to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels so it makes no sense to continue to subsidize these companies.
I would feel better if we put these $Billions into some other fuel source - the Oil companies will continue to make their money anyway on the backs of ever-expanding China and India and its not as if we in the U.S. are gonna really stop buying oil either
x
Great keep convincing the Poverty Lobby it's someone elses fault they are poor....
So, UAW- if some poor sap is making minimum wage, he should be cheering the fact that he now pays $4 per galon to get to work in stead of $3? The selfish bastid!
Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?
Drive by don't let these politicians steal your future too. You can set your destiny and make it happen. If you are blaming your lot in life on an oil company, bank or politician you will be poor a long time......
Don't worry, UAW- I can afford to pay the higer gas prices myself. No one said I had to be happy about it, though.
Did Claire McCaskill convene a focus group to determine whether it's OK to come out against oil companies? Or maybe she consulted with some of her Republican friends first.
This is one area I think both sides can agree on....
Well, guess I was wrong.
This is not a supply and demand issue...it never was. It's about speculators taking advantage of crisis situations in oil producing countries and bidding up the price of sweet crude. We don't even buy much of this type of crude...England and France and I believe Italy does. Never the less, other types of crude followed the buy signal and presto, oil is at $4 a gallon. Not demand. A guess made by a commodities traders. These guys work for banks and we all know how much the banking industry cares for all of us.
Yes, we pay more for goods and services because the additional cost of shipping/fuel is passed along. If you owned a business and the cost of shipping went up 60 or 70% and virtually wiped out your profit, wouldn't you pass that cost along? Seems like smart business IF when oil prices come down, so do your prices.
Part of the pricing problem, is from increased demand in developing nations, China and India specifically, are using greater amounts of gasoline as their society becomes more and more auto driven, check GM's profits, the vast majority is from sales OVERSEAS....
now add to that dynamic, middle east unrest, earthquakes, tsunamis, and flooding here in US, and you have a commodities traders "perfect storm"..they are buying and selling the right to purchase oil in the future at a particular price..this absolutely effects the price directly as the oil companies are hedging their bets on the future price of crude...
That's why when we sell additional offshore leases, or discover new domestic crude, prices plunge, traders are "betting" on supply exceeding demand, so they then short their hedge in order to recover their losses for crude bought in the upswing....that is also one of the reasons it takes longer for the price at the pump to receed...at that point the oil being sold is at a loss, unless you had the good fortune to find another speculator willing to buy your futures contract to minimize your losses..
It is the same thing as buying stock options on the NYSE
But as long as worldwide consumption grows it is always going to be RECORD Profits what the media leaves out is that they also sold a RECORD amount of oil!
But this is not a USA only issue, you think we pay a lot, check out Europe...
You are correct.
If you forced the traders who bought stock to hold it for some period of time ( say 24 hours ), you would negate a lot of this "trading related" increases.
Again, such a regualtion would be considered Socialist I guess, but the truth is that technology has outpaced the regulators and there is lots of money available to me made in buying/selling/speculating within a 24-hour window of the highs and lows of the market
I am all for subsidies to support fledgling industries who need the subsidies to compete in a demanding and hyper competitive marketplace until they can establish themselves and begin to operate at a profit.
The problem I have is when those industries are making record breaking profits in the billions year after year I believe it's time stop and let them stand on their own.
In regards to the oil companies it's long overdue.
Let me get this straight...but the oil subsidies, we would be paying even higher gas prices than we are now? If we take the subsidies away, is it true that the oil companies will say they will make up the lost money by raising gas prices?
Of course they will !
They "could" increase production to offset the loss in profit but its easier to pass on the additional cost to the consumer.
It isn't like your auto WON'T need gas next week anyway so we are all screwed
These people are such hypocrites Were is their outrage for GE not paying any tax and getting a refund.
Based on Feb 2011 data:
"It is a known fact that the oil reserves of the world are fast drying up. In contrast to that, the total demand is quickly becoming more and more aggressive. One of the biggest sphere that has substantially boosted the demand for oil is the fast developing South East Asia." ...
"We know that oil is becoming scarce and there are lesser avenues to get it. Yet the world demand is high. This has caused the price of oil to shoot up sky high, way over $140 almost touching $150. The total revenue obtained by the oil companies is thus, going to escalate way beyond the normal range. And here's the catch, the operational cost is going to remain unchanged and the raw material acquisition cost is going to rise, but not steeply."
<<
WOW .... silly me.... i thought we were broke and asked our seniors to give up their Medicare and Social Security !
Soon to be former Senator McCaskill burned a lot of Big Oil in her Big Private Jet, didnt she?
I guess the point is that Apple makes record profits because of the cool products they produce, oil is a commodity and the same stuff it's always been. Big Oil makes record profits because it's an Oligopoly market. Why, if you're making record profits, wouldn't you lower the price of your product to compete and get more market share?
Wake up Pubs, we're being had. You'd have probably argued "pure market" crap when Enron was manipulating markets as well, forget the elephant, Republicans are the Ostrich Party!
Thanks Goodness - we are beginning to see the light... greed by our Oil companies and Spectulation ARE the only reason for unfair high gas and oil prices.
I can see a major class action law suit against oil companies and wall street.
When it's proven that high gas prices are causing death, pain and suffering for thousands of Americans!
When our national security is at stake due to high unemployment, and people can only pay for gas - and have to sacrifice food and medicine.
Then maybe, just maybe - they will realize the damage they are causing Americans.
TRUTH- not CRAP
Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA
Well said, democrat soldier, and right on the mark!
I hope people realize that they have to write their senators and demand that the subsidies be removed next time around. Speculation that people have to be starving and out of meds is not doing the job. Point and insult Americans are as useful as another million dollars to a billionaire.
Chuck E. Schumer, what a gem of a liberal Progressive. One one hand he forces the donations from the oil companies for his re-elections, while demonizing them on the other hand. What does ole Chuckie do, let them know in advance that it is all for show while he demands higher campaign donations?
Senate Progressive Democrats are doing nothing more than staging a political event for the benefit of themselves. Ending tax breaks worth $4B and $21B over the next ten years would have little impact on budget deficits expected to reach $1.4 Trillion this year and about $7T over the next decade.
What would this $4B do other than equate to a few percentage points of profit a year? It is only politics by the Progressives to shift decision-making from greater issues facing us. It is an emotional connection to voters who don't have time to analyze the numbers.
I laughed at Chuckie's statement: "We can stop padding the profits of big oil companies and start reducing our deficit." Heck Chuckie, were you not one of the Progressive elitists who was involved in increasing the deficit? Why should this be an issu for you now?
The Progressive Democrats probably won't prevail in either the Senate or the House, but their effort is more about winning voters' favor than enacting law.
Just another day of BS on Capitol Hill.
Test
Progressive Power has known for the last 30 years about the tax payer subsidies going to big oil. Progressive Power has warned both parties about the danger of the huge oil profits for years. Progressives have been very disappointed with both political parties over this issue of big oil CEO greed, and treasonous business practices. Now the big oil CEO's feel economically confident, poltically untouchable, and socially not caring about the suffering of America. Both political parties are economically, and politically responsible for letting the big oil CEO's get away with economic treasonous behaviors. That little performance by the big oil CEO's in front of the Congressional Committee was a joke. It was like watching 5 big oil CEO's, acting like spoiled children. That just robbed the economic candy store. Then they say everyone is a traitor if they cannot continue to rob the candy store. Again! Read the Progressive Research sites since the early 1960's talking about the greed of the big Oil Corporations.
Read my post #16 Progressive. chuckie schumer and the progressive democrats are doing nothing more than pandering to the masses for politican gain. And as for your retort, you progressives are the reason for spending today.....your group hasn't met a spending program they haven't liked.
And as I suggested in my post, this is just another BS day on capital hill for the image of the progressives. Nothing meaningful will be accomplished by this committe, other than spending more money to meet with little to no legislation to meet the issue.
We have all heard this song and dance before. Congress, choose your branch, becomes "outraged at oil company profits" and verbally attacks oil company executives. Then for some strange reason, could it be campaign contributions, no legislation is ever passed. To paraphrase John D. Rockefeller we have the best congress money can buy. Mr. Schumer will get his news cycle and the beat will go on.
have tax dodger claire and simpleton chuckie discussing anything but how to cheat the american public is ludicrous. they have cost this country more in poor policy decisions and deal making than any oil company, by far.
really, egm11? specifically how have they done that?
Searching for new, or undrilled, oil fields has to be a very expensive proposition.
But driving aircraft carriers, battleships, C-130 aircraft, and thousands of trucks, etc.,, requires I dare say more oil than the civilian population uses. If the US chooses to support exploration and experimental drilling for oil, that sounds like a necessity. What Schumer, McCaskill and other Democrats in the government know about oil drilling and exploration could be put on the point of a needle. So then, what is the answer? Keep on subsidizing the big, smaller and small oil companies, hoping they locate inexhaustible oil fields to drill. Cost of gasoline? How often have we heard, and rightly so, that gasoline costs less than milk. Don't think so? Look at the cost of a gallon of milk, which I notice has now remained higher than a gallon of gasoline. Now get off your soapbox, Schumer, and well, how can I say it? shut up. Your political skullduggery is not amusing.
Note to the GOP: no raising the debt ceiling, no raising income taxes, no spending unless urgent, necessary and critical, and just as an comment -- close (yes, you read it right) Washington D. C. Vote electronically from your home offices. Oh yes, and bring all, yes, all, of our troops back home to the USA.
Yep, one more round of pin the insult on the politician. Oh well, see you in 10 pages. Call me when any of you think up a new solution, or is that insult?
I'm going to keep making these points until Congress and/or the voters does something about the oil mess.
1. Make speculation and futures trading in oil ILLEGAL!
2. The government should take over the oil companies - this will put a stop to "price-gouging at the pump".
3. Develop renewable energy to replace oil, and develop new ways to make plastic and other man-made products that DON"T require oil.
The oil companies and speculators obviously don't like these ideas, but the fact remains that it's in the nations interests and the publics interests to make these changes!
Until then, we're all going to continue to be hurt by our dependance on the oil companies and their greed and price - manipulation. Right up to the time that the world runs out of oil and there won't be any oil to buy at ANY price.
OK Senators!!!! Rick said so!!!! Stop secretly laughing at all these useless posts and get to work!!! Keep making big oil the only game in America for as long as possible. Start the excuse machine to keep playing Santa to big oil, but stop reading these posts!!!! Please grab a cup and clank on the bars. It will do as much good to the prisoners of governmental stupidity. Those fat headed old powerbrokers will all be dead before oil is gone. It will keep them in political seats until they are drooling in their tapioca.
The following is from yesterday. Reading the morning paper, the Senate couldn't pass their bill, even with the two RINO's voting with them:
"Senate Progressive Democrats are doing nothing more than staging a political event for the benefit of themselves. Ending tax breaks worth $4B and $21B over the next ten years would have little impact on budget deficits expected to reach $1.4 Trillion this year and about $7T over the next decade.
It is an emotional connection to voters who don't have time to analyze the numbers.
I laughed at Chuckie's statement: "We can stop padding the profits of big oil companies and start reducing our deficit." Heck Chuckie, were you not one of the Progressive elitists who was involved in increasing the deficit? Why should this be an issu for you now?
The Progressive Democrats probably won't prevail in either the Senate or the House, but their effort is more about winning voters' favor than enacting law.
Just another day of BS on Capitol Hill."
Aren't you the party of "We have to start somewhere"?
Sheesh, your team has sure changed over the years. You all would be okay with reinstating slavery because it was 'good for commerce'.
And I know you didn't bring that up,...I'm just pointing out your blatant hypocrisy in that EVERYTHING that isn't essential should be on the table. These profitable companies CLEARLY don't need those funds. They just can't let go of the teat.
Oh clara, I have no issue with eliminating subsidies for anything. Oil, ethonol, farm, green energy, government. I also believe in ending the funding for the 140+ countries we send money to as foreign aid.
I also feel BIG government can be reduced in size, merging many govenment departments to eliminate waste while making the surviving entity more efficient.
Additionally, I feel the need to replace most of the elitist politicians in Congress who serve themselves and not who elected them.
After this fruitless witch hunt is over, perhaps Congress or AG Holder can investigate The Administrations Energy Policy or lack thereof
HAHAHAHAHA! Old Eric only investigates those cases where he can promote his image. Nothing he does ever sticks.....sort of like his boss.