No Huckabee in 2012

[Habbaku]

I've liked Bachmann ever since she bitch-slapped Chris Matthews on election night last year.

An accomplishment that's only marginally more difficult than breathing.

[KRonn]

Cut all the other energy subsidies as well I 'd be in favor of ending them for oil companies.

I don't understand.  Are you arguing that two wrongs make a right?  If the government needs money why not eliminate the oil subsidy even if you don't eliminate all subsidies?

It never made sense to me to tolerate something bad because we cannot eliminate all evil.

What are the subsidies actually for, with the oil companies? Lots of companies get some kind of subsidy, I think even some tax accounting methods might be considered subsidies? I just think that every time there's a spike in oil prices the current White House occupant, and various politicians, ramp up the same old stuff against the oil comps. Congressional hearings, keeping a watch for oil company price gouging, stop the speculators, etc. Clinton, Bush, now Obama all have done the same. And never anything seems to be found, or nothing very substantial. Seems as much a show as anything substantial to satisfy the public, make it look like the pols are doing something.

[derspiess]

I've liked Bachmann ever since she bitch-slapped Chris Matthews on election night last year.

An accomplishment that's only marginally more difficult than breathing.

True, but for whatever reason few people he has on his show seem willing to challenge him.

[MadImmortalMan]

If you jack up oil company taxes you aren't going to hurt much--at current prices they aren't going to cut back production. But this idea they are weaseling out of taxes isn't accurate: exxon had an effective tax rate of 45% last year, chevron 40.3%, and conoco phillips 42.2% (I think those are the 3 largest american producers). Compared with the rest of the fortune 500 they are paying quite a bit.

I was under the impression that these tax breaks were primarily for small independent operators and didn't apply to companies like COP, CVX and XOM.

[crazy canuck]

The oil company issue is probably driven by the fact that gas prices go up immidiately after oil prices go up but never seem to come down in the same way.  Also, for some reason all gas stations have the same price and increase in concert with one another - at least around here.

Highly efficient market or something else at work?

[Neil]

The oil company issue is probably driven by the fact that gas prices go up immidiately after oil prices go up but never seem to come down in the same way.  Also, for some reason all gas stations have the same price and increase in concert with one another - at least around here.

Highly efficient market or something else at work?

Yeah, the gas price thing doesn't make sense.  Every time someone explains it to me, they always rely on 'the prices stay high because the more expensive oil is just working its way through the system', but that doesn't jive with the way that gas prices spike in concert with the increase in oil prices, not as the refined product reaches consumers.

The gas station thing isn't really an issue since most of them are chains anyways.

[MadImmortalMan]

http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2011/05/electoral-consequences-of-rapture.html

Gingrich has completely tanked with Republican voters, providing real confirmation that his campaign rollout has been a total disaster. Only 38% of GOP voters have a favorable opinion of him and there are now more, at 45%, with an unfavorable one. I doubt anyone has ever been nominated for President who ever had negative favorability numbers within their own party less than a year out from the primary season.

It does make you wonder if he actually wants to win.

[Valmy]

Cut all the other energy subsidies as well I 'd be in favor of ending them for oil companies. 

Deal.  Glad to have you on board.

[Ed Anger]

I love ethanol subsides. nom nom nom.

[derspiess]

Cut all the other energy subsidies as well I 'd be in favor of ending them for oil companies. 

Deal.  Glad to have you on board.

Always been there

[Neil]

Cut all the other energy subsidies as well I 'd be in favor of ending them for oil companies. 

Deal.  Glad to have you on board.

Your lack of support for technological advancement has been noted.  Please stop throwing your wooden shoes into our machines, thanks.

[derspiess]

Cut all the other energy subsidies as well I 'd be in favor of ending them for oil companies. 

Deal.  Glad to have you on board.

Your lack of support for technological advancement has been noted.  Please stop throwing your wooden shoes into our machines, thanks.

Listen all of y'all it's a sabotage! 


But seriously, we're all for privately funded technological advancement.  We can no longer afford so many government-financed boondoggles, though.

[derspiess]

Re: gas prices, the wife & I were talking just yesterday about how ridiculously cheap gas used to be.  Ten years ago, she could fill up her Miata for less than $10

[Valmy]

Re: gas prices, the wife & I were talking just yesterday about how ridiculously cheap gas used to be.  Ten years ago, she could fill up her Miata for less than $10

I remember there was a specific gas station I would go to because the gas was 89 cents a gallon.  Ah 1995.

[Neil]

But seriously, we're all for privately funded technological advancement.  We can no longer afford so many government-financed boondoggles, though.

You'd be amazed at how little private funding drives technology these days.  Even if you ignore the fact that our society has shaped itself in such a way that fundamental scientific advancement is looked down upon, the tools which advance modern science are extremely expensive.  Government grants and tax incentives are pretty important.