MAcciard said...
Publius, Please accept this as an article submission.
What should Congress do about the price of gas?
We all know the issue at hand, it has been on the news for weeks, and now Congress has gotten into the act. After wasting our time and money on probes into steriods in baseball, the Patriots videotaping issue, they now have launched inquiries into why American Corporations made so much money, in the last year.
BY WHAT RIGHT?
What right does Congress have to make this type of inquiry?
Lets look at the economics of it;
Do you know who makes the most money off a gallon of oil?
THE GOVERNMENT!
Yes, that's right, the average combined state and federal taxes on Gasoline are $0.51/gal.
With Oil at $100/barrel the cost of crude in a gallon of gasoline is $1.83/gal.
The average cost of refining, transportation, and marketing, including the cost fo government compliance is $0.52/gal
The average profit of the oil company is $0.28/gal.
The average profit of the gas station is $0.12
This equals the average price per gallon right now of $3.29/gallon
So, yes Exxon made $39 Billion in profit last year.
The part that no one will discuss is that they invested $426 Billion to make that!
That's 9% profit!
And Congress is complaining!
How would Our congresspeople like it if we piad them their roughly $170,000/yr. salary, but only let them keep $15,300?
I am wlling to bet that they would not think that very fair.
On another note, where in the Constitution does it say that Congress has the right to regulate profits?
These people who complain about $3.00/gal. gas are quite happy to pay $7.00/ gal for water!
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ATKINSON's Vietnam HONOR ROLL as VOTED and PASSED by 2005 Town Meeting and re-approved at Special Town Meeting Sept. 12
EDITORIAL-
A voice of compassion, an example of fairness and reasonable government.
One who believes in the strength and comfort you, your children and your family can draw from good government leadership.
A person who knows Atkinson is our home -- our most important possession that must be preserved and protected through fair taxes and sound community planning and where our children must be safe to grow to become a new generation of leaders.
One who knows that the citizens of Atkinson are all neighbors with her leadership to be dedicated and responsive to all.
One who believes that when those from Atkinson have served our nation and honors are deserved, those honors must be given.
In Valerie Tobin, we now have a leader we know we can entrust with these responsibilities because they are part of her character.
It is our honor to endorse Valerie for election to Atkinson’s Board of Selectmen.
Just a note for those who wish to count the deer.
In January 08 this blog had 16,000 hits and 1,500 unique visitors (for the month).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
EDITORIAL-
"I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense . . ." [TP, 1776]
We take no small measure of umbrage at such a hostile official act against this BLOG’s patron. Therefore, a timely Editorial comment is both appropriate and necessary.
Discussion of Atkinson’s financial direction, from any viewpoint, is fundamental and encouraged and we will always attempt to limit and correct errors.
However, Righteous indignation towards purported error of such inconsequential nature is not appropriate.
The ENTIRE car deal is problematic. If it was caused by poor judgement, improper exercise of authority, neglect or mistake or even specious reasoning, this will never trump the facts that the entire questionable transaction started and ended within a very small circle of confidants.
We find the entire circumstances surrounding the disposition of the police Cruiser highly irregular at the least and the "explanations" somewhat trifling and exhaustive of our intellect.
Mr. Consentino: It’s time to go. Being Chief of Atkinson’s Police Department is NOT a birthright. That is a fabled legend of yesteryear.
Historically in Atkinson, police chief appointments were made "under the hand of the selectmen" for terms of one year at a time, as was also the case in the beginning of Mr. Consentino’s assorted and discontinuous stream of appointments to this position.
Your only remaining credential established on a claim of indispensability has faded.
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LETTER
"To All Atkinson Residents,
I am writing to ask for your help. A member of the Atkinson Police Department needs our help. I am here to ask for your help in Corporal John Lapham's fight for his life. As you are aware, John has been diagnosed with Leukemia. He has been once again hospitalized with an infection that is threatening his life. He is one of the bravest people that I have ever met. He has never asked of anything from the residents of the town. Now is our chance to step up and help both him and his family out. As everyone is aware John has been out of work for a few months. His family has been busy helping John to get better. He needs our help, and I am hoping that this town can step up to the plate and help. From the moment that I met John, I have admired him. He does alot, but never asks for anything in return. He has helped so many people in this town. I for one am one of those people. Please help him.
There is a fund set-up in his name at TDBanknorth in Plaistow. Any amount will help John, while he is out of work. It would be great if this town could help ease a burden off his wife.
Thank You
Also if anyone would like to send a card, please address it to:
John Lapham
c/o Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Ctr.
Inpatient mail
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
United States
Please show Corporal John Lapham, that this community can stand up and show our support to those in need. I for one, miss John and can not wait until he can get better and return to work. Please show him that we support him. "
16 comments:
Another cause of high gas prices that the fearless leader in Washington never want to talk about is that 80 or more different formulation are required across the country. This requires guessing what the demand for each formulation will be and hope they are correct. There should be one formulation. This would substantially increase capacity and decrease costs.
It is also time top stop giving tax payer money to environment nuts that use the courts to block every attempt to access our own natural resources. Then these same people complain because we don't do anything to decrease dependence on foreign oil. There is not a single enegry project that has not been tied up in court for years. Most end up killed.
We can even get a Lowe's built locally in commercial zone because 1 or two neighbors have yet been able to extort enough money from the Lowe's Lawyers.
If the nut we have to deal with now were around back in the 50's we would not even have an interstate highway system.
The environmental chickens have come home to roost.
If they continue to get their way we will be reduced to nomad tribes moving our tents with the seasons because cars and heating systems will be the exclusive right of the elites. And the "God" of the left wing enviro nuts is one of the elites. Al Gore.
SO when you are screaming at the pumps don't blame Exxon. Blame Al Gore and his koolaid drinking followers.
Congress will do absolutly nothing with this hearing. You watch, they will sit there and ask some questions, but in the end , nothing. And i'm sure they don't want to , they make alot of money in taxes as your article states. But good point on the tree hugging no gas pumping, green licking, screwing up the Mobil's of the world from using and getting to Oil that is here in our area of the world. The activists say, no you can't, that would disrupt the animals migration trail. I say, Use the bulldoser and push them over and out of my way! Give me a break. Don't worry, the animals will do just fine. I'm sure they will find another spot in the other 10 trillion empty acre's up in the acrtic.
I thought this blog was to talk about what goes on in the town? If this turns out to be another forum for short-sighted, self-absorbed individuals who believe that man is king of the animal kingdom, then I guess I have some extra free time since I won't be checking this blog any longer...
Man is King. It is good to be king.
Though in Atkinson the King is Phil.
Well, apparently all Atkinson problems have been solved, and it's time to waste time here for a defense of...OIL COMPANIES PROFITS???
Now, besides the fact that this blog should be a community-focused site...
...and , since about 1/3rd of people are Republican, Independent, or Democrat, using this space to vent right-wing propaganda could lose maybe about 50% of the people get here, completely WEAKENING the work people hope to do here...
...now besides that, how much more ridiculous can you get then defending an industry that makes RECORD MULTI-BILLION PROFITS (I believe it was $124 BILLION this year), DEMANDS $18 BILLION in tax breaks, and threatens to stop exploring for new oil if THEY DON'T GET THEM!!!
Do you notice that Mark didn't say anything about the $18 billion in TAX BREAKS over 10 years that the oil companies got from President Bush? So, while YOUR taxes go UP because of the war, you're supposed to GIVE the oil companies $18 billion dollars so that they will EXPLORE FOR OIL!
Is the government giving you lots of extra money to go work extra hours? Is the government giving our local businesses extra money to go find more of what they sell?
Please Mark, if you have some oil company stocks, and you're ticked they might not get their TAX BREAKS, start a blog to talk about it maybe?
WOW, Obviously, Dan, you missed my point.
I don't think the government should be handing out taxpayer dollars to ANY company for subsidies. The only reason a company should be getting money from the government is if the government is buying something from them.
But my point was that Congress feels it can waste time and money on things it has no responsibility, or authoirty to do, while things they are supposed to be doing languish.
My point also was that the media, and many others are complaining about the $123 billion in profit from the 5 biggest oil companies combined, while beglecting to mention the almost 2 TRILLION invested in aggregate to earn that money.
And no I dont own any stocks let alone oil company stocks, nor would I own stock in a company that has to spend so much to make a 9% profit.
and I submitted this because I heard it, and there was no other new news posted from within town.
The hearing arose from the fact that the oil companies were getting taxpayer subsidies in the BILLIONS OF DOLLARS even though they were making RECORD PROFITS. That is simply the stupidest thing I have ever heard; it's as if taxes were raised on struggling citizens to give cash bonuses to the richest residents of town. Completely brainless...
THAT is why they were holding the hearing; a damned good reason to hold them as far as I'm concerned.
I just feel this blog should be limited to Atkinson issues so that we don't divide the people here over partisan issues and lose the strength of numbers we presently have. This isn't the first time we've addressed this issue, I'm not sure why the person that runs the blog posts articles that don't have anything to do with the town; the name of the blog isn't the "World Reporter" it's the "Atkinson Reporter"...
Ah, but Mark, just as King Phil feels the law does not apply to him, the bozos in Washington think the constitution does not apply to them.
Maybe at present there is a minor lull in the criminal activities on the part of Atkinson;s appointed and elected officials.
I look forward to updates on the various law suits against them.
As to returning the focus to Atkinson on this blog, I will do my part and leave my more general commentary to my two other blogs. One of which I attempt to focus on my own city of residence and the other for all manner of commentary.
Energy prices should be regulated by fair trade practices. The controlling of any ones business is not the way this country should go. Like Mark said the oil companies are only a 9-10% profit making company. You want cheaper oil start by allowing more drilling and refinery plants.
As far as congress, well they are trying to protect the over seas outputs. We will really be squawking if the mid east shut off their supplies to us.
As far as not discussing Atkinson I feel that a break from reading the goings on is fine.
That's just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions and political beliefs...:)
note to Dan;
Unless one of the mutual funds in my 401K hold stock in an oil company, I do not hold any such stock.
But that is the last ditch slam used by all who believe in anthropogenic global warming and the "evils of the free market."
Over regulation has as much, if not more to do with high gas prices than any other factor.
Nuff Sedd. I will limit any further commentary to elsewhere.
The break from the everyday Phil and pony show is nice. After the election and everything leading up to it, it is nice to take a breather. Nice to see new names logging on also.
Man, some people are total suckers...
Could someone please tell how, when we spend money on healthcare for poor children, or to improve schools or provide programs to keep kids off the streets, some people scream and whine that their tax money is being wasted (that would be fishgutz, hovbuilt, and atkinson-factor)
But, SOMEHOW, when we tell oil companies that are making record MULTIBILLION DOLLAR PROFITS that they can SKIP PAYING THEIR TAXES to the tune of $18 billion dollars, THAT IS SOMEHOW OK!
That completely violates the free market they SOMETIMES defend. Damn, consistency is tough for some people to sustain...
Well Dan, I will say to your comment that this country should do what ever it takes to not be so dependant on arab pumped oil. This is a crisis of energy that will get worse, and if this country does not give these companies tax breaks to find new places to get oil and gas, then this country will be screwed. If we already aren't already.
You know...
I have a copy of the Constitution here in my back pocket, and I can't find anywhere where it authorizes Congress to extort money form me in taxes to give out to a private corporation that is far better off than I.
I agree that Congress should get out of the way and allow companies to explore in USA territory to increase supply, but remember, that all the while that we are doing that, world demand is increasing as well, as CHina and India become ever more industrialized. This increase in demand willl create an ever upward pressure on the price of oil. Congress could also do much to allow companies to increase refining capacity, but subsidies and tax breaks, NO!
On the other hand, and this was my point from the start, Congress has no riht to tell oil companiea how much profit they can make!
Dan, I have no problems with health care for the poor "children". Just with the lazy parents collecting welfare wanting me to pay for it. Also people that want me to pay for a babysitter for after school hours. Sorry I feel that if your responsible enough to have children you should pay for them.
The oil prices are actually controlled by "World" trade something us Americans better start participating in and not thinking we are the "king" of the world as far as determining what market value is.
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