Blame do-nothing Republicans for high gas prices. That was the impression visitors to ABCNews.com got this afternoon.
Among the "top headlines" lineup Web site editors included a story on "Fueling Anger" with the teaser headline: "Rejected! Big Oil Tax Gets Shelved." [see related post about CBSNews.com's bias here]
The accompanying caption to the ABC photo illustration read, "With prices soaring, GOP halts Democrats' wide-ranging energy plan."
The article itself, by writer Z. Byron Wolf, was front-loaded with bias, slamming Republicans for their filibuster of a new windfall profits tax measure while dismissing the GOP's energy plan as ineffective in the short term (emphases mine):
With the average price of gas in the United States now above $4, Senate Republicans today rejected a plan by Democrats to give the president the authority to declare an "energy emergency" and sue OPEC nations, prosecute price gouging, assess a "windfall profits tax" on oil companies and cut down on speculation in the energy markets.
The Democratic proposal, called the "Consumer-First Energy Act," was a grab bag of measures that Democrats cobbled together a month ago as gas prices were rising. At the time, the plan was meant as a counter-measure to a Republican plan that sought to encourage domestic oil exploration. Democrats in May voted down the Republican oil exploration plan, which would have done little for gas prices in the short term.
Of course, Wolf conceded in the next paragraph, "The Democrats' plan would also have done little in the near term."
So why is it that Republicans opposing a new stab at a failed policy -- the windfall profits tax of the 1980s -- is "fueling anger" while Democrats blocking new measures to expand domestic oil reserves and hence cut into American dependence on foreign oil is not equally worthy of outrage?
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
But cutting the gas tax
June 10, 2008 - 16:29 ET by mattmBut cutting the gas tax wouldn't do anything in the near term???
The simple announcement of an iniative to build more refineries and increase oil production would have an immediate effect on the market. Prices would drop overnight.
But even if it took 3 or 4 years, so what? The end result would be lower prices and less dependence on foreign energy sources.
I pray to God that people aren't as stupid as ABC thinks they are.
"I pray to God that people
June 10, 2008 - 16:38 ET by Chris Norman"I pray to God that people aren't as stupid as ABC thinks they are."
Oh, there are people out there who as stupid as ABC thinks they are - they should know - they helped make them that way.
7 Out of !0 Electiosn Went to Republicans
June 10, 2008 - 16:55 ET by allanfTake heart. The folks in the biased media are quite frustrated that their advocacy is not headed.
7 out of the last 10 President elections were won by Republicans. That is in spite of the biased media. For the most part people don't pay attention. But outside of the great liberal enclaves of New York and California people have great abilities to detect nonsense.
I remember Tim Russert, Katie Couric and Matt Lauer commiserating after the 2004 Presidential Election. Russert remarked that no matter what you do, the American people will make up their own minds.
Rare candor from a Democrat.
It is amazing, when liberals
June 10, 2008 - 17:16 ET by Chris NormanIt is amazing, when liberals control the main flow of information, that a Republican can still get elected. I know, however, that the media fanning the anti-business instinct will yield results with a chunk of people.
I think the MSM has won
June 10, 2008 - 22:29 ET by NL207I think the MSM has won this throw. John McCain is no conservative. He is a RINO. Regardless of who is elected, a liberal will be President.
Look at what the MSM's incessant smear campaign has done to the Conservative wing of the Republican Party. Had George Allen been re-elected in Virginia in 2006, McCain would not be the Republican nominee. Had Jack Ryan not been targeted by a smear in Illinois, Barack Obama would not even be a US Senator, much less the Dem Presidential nominee.
"But even if it took 3 or 4
June 10, 2008 - 17:12 ET by ckc1227"But even if it took 3 or 4 years, so what? The end result would be lower prices and less dependence on foreign energy sources."
And it would happen a hell of a lot faster than waiting on mythical alternative energy sources that may never become viable.
Don't you mean dilithium
June 11, 2008 - 07:49 ET by BurgherDon't you mean dilithium crystals. I thought we had those already.
This is the same point I've been making to the circle of libs that I know(my family). They believe all the conspiracy theories about the 100mpg carborator that the oil companies convinced the car companies to supress. The latest is the guy that somehow was able to have saltwater ignite using a radio frequency. They refuse to realize that it takes more engery to create the radio frequency to cause saltwater to burn than the engery that comes out of the ignited saltwater.
Thier brains are mushified by all of the sci-fi, conspiracy theory, backwards ufo engineering bullcrap.
I tried to play at their level one day and gave them the theory of abiotic oil, they almost bought it hook line and sinker then they said 'you just want the oil companies to make more money'
I threw my hands up in frustration as usual
Don't you mean dilithium
June 11, 2008 - 07:49 ET by BurgherDon't you mean dilithium crystals. I thought we had those already.
This is the same point I've been making to the circle of libs that I know(my family). They believe all the conspiracy theories about the 100mpg carborator that the oil companies convinced the car companies to supress. The latest is the guy that somehow was able to have saltwater ignite using a radio frequency. They refuse to realize that it takes more engery to create the radio frequency to cause saltwater to burn than the engery that comes out of the ignited saltwater.
Thier brains are mushified by all of the sci-fi, conspiracy theory, backwards ufo engineering bullcrap.
I tried to play at their level one day and gave them the theory of abiotic oil, they almost bought it hook line and sinker then they said 'you just want the oil companies to make more money'
I threw my hands up in frustration as usual
sorry 'bout the double post cheif
June 11, 2008 - 07:51 ET by Burgheri hate slow server days
Notice
June 10, 2008 - 17:37 ET by capavthere's no mention that some Democrats voted against this as well. It's the Republicans! Yes, the majority of the no votes were Republicans, but there were some Democrats too. Will that appear in any reporting? I doubt it. Maybe someone could interview those Democrats and ask them why they voted against this. Better yet, ask Harry Reid why some of his compadres voted against it.
And taxing the oil companies...
June 10, 2008 - 16:31 ET by Prester John....produces more gasoline and lowers the price I pay at the pump how?
to understand that
June 10, 2008 - 17:27 ET by mbuelyou first have to change the laws of supply and demand.
http://www.cnsnews.c...
that's the only way this democrat crap makes any sense.
Neal Boortz today has a
June 10, 2008 - 19:21 ET by motherbeltNeal Boortz today has a fantastic writeup of how to attack Obama and his "windfall profits" task.
I hope he emailed it to the McCain campaign.
He details who those "rich shareholders" are, who Barack intends to penalize...just for the sake of "fairness" (as he said of the capital gains tax), you understand.
It's a must-read!
motherbelt, NEAL BOORTZ FOR PRESIDENT!
June 10, 2008 - 19:34 ET by R D HelmLOL-Yeah, I know he will never do it, as he has said so hundreds of times, but I just had to say it anyway.
At least he would savage Barry-O in the debates. McCain will most likely throw Nerf balls at Obama, then apologize profusely for having done so.
Wouldn't it be refreshing
June 10, 2008 - 19:42 ET by Chris NormanWouldn't it be refreshing for a candidate to run as a friend of small business - and I mean sole proprietorships with ten employees or less. From experience, I know that there's a constituency out there just waiting to hear that.
It was great what the
June 10, 2008 - 16:46 ET by bigtimerIt was great what the republicans did in the Senate...now they really need to fight the bias in the msm in unison loudly and often to inform people what really needs to be done, how long it will take, who is really to blame for the last thirty plus years for the mess we are in, plus lay the blame on the greenies and constant lawsuits..if they don't...they better count on losing in seats all over the place.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
"now they really need to
June 10, 2008 - 16:54 ET by Chris Norman"now they really need to fight the bias in the msm in unison loudly..."
But, you're not holding your breath, waiting for that to happen - right, BT? I like you and don't want to see you suffocate.
LOL Chris... Worry
June 10, 2008 - 17:04 ET by bigtimerLOL Chris...
Worry not...I know it will most likely happen when pigs fly.
Oh well...Hope springs eternal though....
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
I know, I find still find
June 10, 2008 - 17:35 ET by Chris NormanI know, I find still find myself hoping against hope, on occasion.
I love it when O'Reilly proclaims that "the government will have to do something about such and such - they have to" and I'll answer (to the tv screen), "Oh, yeah? Because you're demanding it, Bill?" He did it again last night when he demanded they pass legislation to force "flex fuel cars" on us and "tax the heck out of regular gas burning cars" - the man is going nuts with his ego
Oh I know Chris... I was
June 10, 2008 - 17:38 ET by bigtimerOh I know Chris...
I was screaming at the idiot last night, expressed my anger with the know it all last night here somewhere...PT had some good threads and responses too...
His arrogance really gets to me at times, I pick and choose what segments I am going to watch...unfortunately I watched that one...my husband had the clicker...heheee
His self-importance is aggravating to say the least at times.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
bt, All I can think are his
June 10, 2008 - 19:08 ET by Chris Normanbt, All I can think are his guests must be thinking, "This appearance is helping my career. This appearance is helping my career...". I don't know I could do it. I'd want to yell, "Will you shut up and let me answer??!! You don't know what you're talking about anyway!!!". Of course, that wouldn't be good for anyone's career future - except maybe on MSNBC...
Chris! Don't interrupt
June 10, 2008 - 19:13 ET by bigtimerChris!
Don't interrupt me....I am yelling at him already!!!!!!!!!
There was a time I quit watching his show completely...I'm about there again.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
bt, Sorry to interrupt your
June 10, 2008 - 19:45 ET by Chris Normanbt,
Sorry to interrupt your yelling again (I might even save your television screen), but I know, I find myself more frequently turning on Nancy Grace and her umpty-umpth story on Hulk Hogan's son - or "Designed to Sell". :)
Chris you did save
June 10, 2008 - 19:57 ET by bigtimerChris you did save it...
I also turned it..I cannot take him anymore.
Thanks friend...lol.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
Bill O'Reilly and the oil problems
June 10, 2008 - 19:44 ET by merlin61I agree Bigtimer about last night, and found
myself yelling at the tv set. Sometimes this
man really irritates me. you are right, he has
a big ego and thinks he can solve all the world's
problems, but, we know he isn't that great.
He never explained where we
June 10, 2008 - 19:57 ET by ckc1227He never explained where we would get the flex fuel to burn in those flex fuel cars. I guess he expects Brazil to provide the sugar for it, which means we still aren't energy independant, plus I don't think they have enough capacity to cover it anyway.
What he also doesn't know, or isn't telling, is Brazil didn't become energy independant because of sugar ethanol, it's because they actually drilled for domestic sources of oil.
It's all "magical thinking"
June 10, 2008 - 22:09 ET by motherbeltIt's all "magical thinking" with these people!
You are all correct about O'Reilly...I quit watching him, and Hannity & Colmes some time ago.
H&C is even worse: their usual schtik is this:
Colmes: Bush did XXX and that's outrageous!
Hannity : Clinton did the same thing and you guys defended him.
Colmes: And your side raised hell over it when Clinton did it, but you don't have a problem with Bush doing the same thing.
Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
Which Republican will lead that fight?
June 10, 2008 - 17:22 ET by WingletDriverMcCain is as bad as most Dems on the issue and he seems to be the head of the party now.
WD... I don't know..but
June 10, 2008 - 17:33 ET by bigtimerWD... I don't know..but what I do know is I am slowly hearing more and more repubs coming on talking head shows saying that we have to start drilling now...Trent Lott is one of them the other day...which surprised me...there have been others but they slip my mind at the moment...they are going to have to take the lead over McCain's head if they want to save and win seats...a whole heck of a lot of them.
Sessions and Cornyn have been real good on this all...throw in Inhofe for sure....plenty of others, plus the House to-boot.
My point though is they need to come out as group in Congress and make well-defined points about all of this...daily if need be, use Fox like the Hannity show or something, ask for a daily ten minutes here and there....let there be a group like a town hall or Frank Luntz type audience asking a few questions ect...
Just throwing out suggestions...
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
Drill here, drill now, pay
June 10, 2008 - 20:54 ET by HypocriteHaterDrill here, drill now, pay less!
Sign the petition
Thanks, HH...
June 10, 2008 - 22:15 ET by motherbeltI signed it and sent the link to everyone I know!
Yep HH...same here...I've
June 10, 2008 - 22:20 ET by bigtimerYep HH...same here...I've been there done that long ago, others need to do the same...and pass it on to all you know.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
New GOP slogan
June 11, 2008 - 01:39 ET by AgentAmericanIf the GOP would adopt "Drill here, drill now, pay less", Nancy Pelosi would be out of a job in November.
Drill ANWAR
bigtimer, I agree with your prescription
June 10, 2008 - 22:11 ET by WingletDriverbut I don't see enough Republican's stepping up to the plate. Fortunately for us, the are enough Inhofes to scuttle bills like the cap and trade garbage that Warner-Lieberman threatened to impose.
Unfortunately, there are too many McCains, Grahams, Warners, Snowes, Collins, et al to even get a meaningful energy bill accepted for committee deliberation. I think most Newsbusters contributers would agree with us that energy independence through increased exploration is the way to go. But McCain and the RNC don't care what we think. Their target constituency is now disaffected feminazis.
"[Republicans are] going to
June 11, 2008 - 03:58 ET by Conservative Voice"[Republicans are] going to have to take the lead over McCain's head if they want to save and win seats"
So what you are saying is Consertvative Republicans need to out Maverick the Maverick? :)
If excessive profits are the issue
June 10, 2008 - 16:55 ET by BodiniIf excessive profits are the issue, I propose an "Arts Tax" that would be about 90% of the gross income of ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, MTV, BET, movie producers, record producers, video game creators, actors, singers, MSM journalists, electronics manufacturers, the cable industry, etc ... all "profiteers" while providing no substantive benefit to this nation. Or better yet, maybe we should pull-the-plug on "entertainment." Total elimination would save energy, reduce green-house gas emissions, and fight obesity!
unfortunately that will not
June 10, 2008 - 18:18 ET by MrSnugglesunfortunately that will not fly because that is where lefties make all their money, with the exception of a few that can actually run a business.
How about the obsene profits
June 11, 2008 - 04:02 ET by Conservative VoiceHow about the obsene profits the government takes in...I would love to see the CEOs get up there and turn the tables on these Senators, as well as use the opportunity to show them how government is the reason why gas prices are so high.
If McCain would just
June 10, 2008 - 16:56 ET by MidAmericaIf McCain would just start announcing solid real world solutions to stabilize energy costs he could start measuring for drapes in the oval office right now.
A causes C. B equals A. Therefore B causes C.
June 10, 2008 - 17:08 ET by FoolicanMEMO TO CONGRESS:
A simple modus porens argument.
High expenses entail higher prices.
This includes expenses from tax.
Therefore, high taxes entail higher prices.
Balboa, Syrius, Curator, Cleverpig, etc. feel free to ask any questions.
Balboa, Syrius, Curator,
June 10, 2008 - 20:42 ET by El__KabongBalboa, Syrius, Curator, Cleverpig, etc. feel free to ask any questions.
Their silence is deafening. So much the better.
I have a question, El
June 10, 2008 - 20:58 ET by balboaI have a question, El Kabong!
Do you have a thing for cartoon horses that wear masks and a cape?
Hooold on thar
June 10, 2008 - 21:05 ET by Cool ArrowNow hooold on thar Babalouie!
Wasn't he Queekstraw in another life?
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
All about the guitar, Bal
June 10, 2008 - 22:39 ET by El__KabongNo, Bal, just bashing the bad guys in the head with my guitar! The cape was pretty cool, though :-)
This is BS - "Wolf conceded
June 10, 2008 - 17:09 ET by jdhawkThis is BS - "Wolf conceded in the next paragraph, "The Democrats' plan would also have done little in the near term.""
The specific measure, if it had been inacted, to charge a windfall profits tax, would have had an immediate effect raising the already outrageous price that we pay for gasoline in this country.
But, before we get too far with this, let's look at who "big oil" is. Here are the top ten producers in the world:
1 Saudi Armaco - Saudi Arabia
2. Exxon
3. NIOC - Iran
4. PDV - Venezuela
5. BP - UK
6. Royal Dutch/Shell - UK/Netherlands
7. Petro China - China
8. Chevron
9. Total - France
10. Pemex - Mexico
Note, five of the ten are owned entirely by governments several of which are our enemies. Three of the public companies are foreign. Only two of the top ten, Exxon and Chevron, are U.S. companies. So, out of the top ten producers, a windfall tax would only effect them.
Our "big oil" companies, would counter this tax by stop investing in U.S. expansion/maintenance of gas stations, pipelines, refineries, pumping and storage locations, dock side facilities, and drilling. They would shift personnel overseas and possibly move their headquarters to another country.
Most importantly and to my point that the effect would be immediate, they would pass on the cost of the windfall tax to consumers in the form of higher gasoline prices.
Meanwhile, our good for nothing do nothing dimocrats in Congress continue to tax twice as much on a gallon of gasoline than do the suppliers make in profit (the tax is 18.4 cents per gallon; profits are around 8 cents). Our individual state taxing authorities make more than five time as much on a gallon of gasoline than do the supplier (the tax is typically around 40 cents per gallon).
I am angry as HELL and my anger is directed at the defeatocrats.
It is amazing just how
June 10, 2008 - 20:11 ET by general companyIt is amazing just how stupid they think we are, I am severly offended
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
what a crock
June 10, 2008 - 17:23 ET by mbuel"Democrats in May voted down the Republican oil exploration plan, which would have done little for gas prices in the short term."
This is absolute hogwash. The minute our government allowed for pacific/atlantic hell even ANWR exploration, is that day oil INSTANTLY goes back to 75 dollars a barrel. The price is set on speculation currently, NOT supply. If that speculation sees EVEN THE PROMISE of a future increase in supply, it would completely deflate the oil speculation market!
So it seems...
June 10, 2008 - 18:38 ET by ontheright...we want shoe makers dictating energy policy now? The Democrats have lost their minds.
Tax and spend, tax and spend, tax and spend.
And, the Republicans don't get a pass here either...I smell a revolution coming...Fair Tax or bust.
The MSM is looking pretty childish lately, if not Stupid
June 10, 2008 - 19:52 ET by JayTeeHey, MSM....we ain't Fools.
You may be trying to convince fools you know something, but most Americans are drinking that Cool aid.
It's a good thing we didn't TAX the Oil Companies...it didn't work in the 70's, but I understand you Dumasses at MSM really don't study History, do Research, or any of that other Journalistic stuff.
The Dems are really acting Stupid lately, has Obama got them in a Tizzy or what ? Taxing the Oil companies....does what ? Sure as heck doesn't Fill my tank....just the Opposite...I feel Like I'm being Attacked by Congress ... and I think Americans are "Ah Fixin to" kick some Congressional Buns....
The Republican Revolution will not be Televised
Would someone please explain to this ignern't Georgian...
June 10, 2008 - 20:19 ET by R D Helm...how exactly a windfall profits tax on oil companies is somehow going to lower the price of gas at the pump?
All it would do is cause the price to rise higher still as we consumers will see it passed right on to us.
Just how damn stupid do you have to be to be an economically illiterate, government-schooled democrat, anyway?
They know it won't . They
June 11, 2008 - 08:10 ET by motherbeltThey know it won't . They just "feel better" by sticking it to the oil companies. They still haven't figured ou that corporations don't pay taxes; people pay taxes!
Any time supply goes down and demand goes up, that's a "windfall" profit?
Too funny MB
June 11, 2008 - 08:10 ET by PopularTechLooks like we think alike.
The Anti 'Man-Made' Global Warming Resource
A Windfall Profits Tax makes Liberals "feel" better
June 11, 2008 - 08:09 ET by PopularTechLiberal Democrats are economically illiterate, they have no concept how an economy works. Only these morons could think increasing taxes would lower prices. They are absolutely crazy.
Don't fall for a "windfall" profits tax (David Kreutzer, Ph.D. Economics)
If you want to lower prices you need to REMOVE taxes and increase supply.
The Anti 'Man-Made' Global Warming Resource
Why do these liberals keep
June 10, 2008 - 20:42 ET by NonanonWhy do these liberals keep thinking raising taxes is the fix for every problem??? It causes problems rather than fixing them. They are the ones who started passing legislation decades ago that is now causing the high prices. It is so aggravating that nothing sane gets through their heads and the country is being damaged by their actions.
There is no question, libs are to blame
June 10, 2008 - 20:57 ET by jefflebowskiThere is no debate on this one, the libs and environmentalist mouth-breathers are to blame for the current oil crisis.
We need to drill, drill and drill some more...then refine, refine and refine some more...then build nuclear power plants everywhere.
Environmentalists can also go to hell and live in tents and take the libs with them. This is a political problem people. The girly men Repubs should be beating the crap out of the libs every day for this current crisis. But they're too worried about the New England Patriots stealing plays to concentrate on something as trivial as $4 gas!
Do we have even 1 real leader in DC?
Jeff Lebowski
www.angrywhitedude.c...
It's really too bad that
June 10, 2008 - 23:28 ET by GameGridIt's really too bad that American's can't all take a visual trip back in time to the last time the windfall profits tax was tried and FAILED MISERABLY.
Just because you try out a bad idea more than once doesn't mean that the outcome will change but Democrats are oblivious to reality. The sad part is that may ignorant readers will buy the MSM line on this stupid idea without once questioning it.
Other countries are lowering taxes on their oil companies while we seek to tax ours into the grave.
Other countries are
June 10, 2008 - 23:37 ET by bigtimerOther countries are lowering taxes on their oil companies while we seek to tax ours into the grave.
It's the plan Stan...the wacko enviros/communists world-wide have met their goals, hand in hand with our leftist/commie party...we bow to the UN/World Courts/International laws ect...they have met their final goal.
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Wilson
Democrats' wide-ranging energy plan
June 11, 2008 - 16:22 ET by wizardjrThat's a typo. It should read "...Democrats' wide-ranging no energy plan..."
Are the bloggers here the only ones who get it that raising taxes on gasoline will lead to another Jimmy Carter moment?
And... I think that dilithium crystals have a better chance of getting me power than these idiot schemes like wind turbines.
[if you take two lithium tablets from a libs meds and glue them together, do you get di-lithium?]