Another Democrat calls for Nationalizing Oil Refinery Industry

We may have beat the Cold War Soviets, but we obviously didn't defeat the commies.
Rod

I live close to the incredible Hinchey. He is as far Left as they come. Probably Left of Marx and Lenin. This is not surprising coming from such a loon. I can just imagine the price of gas after the government (House P.O. Scandal, Keating Five, Welfare, the projects, Katrina, MV Department, Senate Dining Room etc., etc, etc.) takes over. Has government handling ever resulted in LOWER prices?

It absolutely AMAZES me to hear this kind of talk by mainstream politicians - far left, but nonetheless legitimately elected and thus mainstream. We didn't lose 400,000 Americans putting down fascism to see the same thing enacted here. This kind of talk represents the single most direct threat to our constitutional freedoms that we face today. This kind of thing MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN, no matter what it takes. Period.

Considering that we have to import 20% of our refined gasoline I wonder exactly how nationalization would begin to address that issue. Then there is always the notion that the same folks running Medicare,the TSA and pentagon procurement could somehow rise to the occasion and overcome the regulatory hurdles put in place to prevent the construction of new refining capacity.

There's a reason why we have the world's largest economy despite the best efforts of Democrats to the contrary.

There's a trend, Rick. Government creates extreme difficulty in key industries and then claims that only total government control of those industries can solve the problems government created.

To wit:

- The government has inserted itself into the medical industry to such an extreme extent that the average person finds access financially painful, if not ruinous. Precious few realize or understand that the root of escalating medical costs is government involvement.

- In light of our energy crisis, the same holds true. Consequently, the conservative charge to "drill here, drill now, pay less" is being fiercely opposed. As long as "the pain at the pump" remains and becomes more acute, it becomes increasingly possible for the desperate "masses" to grant control of the energy industry to government.

- The subprime mortgage "crisis" has yet to play itself out. However, I imagine many on the left side of Capitol Hill were salivating at the prospect of Goldman Sachs going belly-up. It didn't, but the taxpayer bailout scheme may prove so onerous, the clueless will clamor for the government to take complete control of the banking industry.

What is truly stunning is that Leftists are no longer shy about using Marxist terms to describe their intentions. That speaks volumes.

I hope, that in addition to nationalizing oil (and healthcare), that the dems propose changing the constitution so that we have a coronation rather than an inaguration.

I'm hoping that the more outrageous that these people become, the fewer people will actually vote for them.

Where is John Galt when you need him?

The link does not work.(the matter here)

Unbelievable. The nationalization of the industry won't happen right now. But we all know its coming.

Mind Strike anyone???

Personally, I'd be in favor of helping the oil industry to shut down the refineries totally if the fed took them over.

As I recall from my history studies, Harry Truman attempted to nationalize the steel industry and was stopped by the Supreme Court. Doesn't this set a precedent?

The statistics given (Democrats vs Republicans) as to who wants a Nationalized Government Run Oil Industry proves beyond a reasonable doubt which Party has the most dumb asses. Democrats have 37% representing the dumb asses and the Republicans have 16%.

Never mind this confiscation of property is illegal and unconsitutional. Never mind this is contrary to the very core of Americanism. This is frightening stuff. It would be a total disaster for the US economy.
Why not nationalize everything then? Food? Housing, Banks? Wasn't that what the Soviets did?
More proof that the Democrats are essentially Marxists.
When will Atlas Shrug?

This shouldn't surprise anyone. Maxine Waters and Maurice Hinchey are both members of the Congressional "Progressive" Caucus, which if truth in advertising applied would more acurately called the Congressional Communist Caucus. As good Commies they hate Capitalism, free markets and view us good citizens as to stupid to understand that they know best. An Obama presidency would surely advance the communist party agenda as well.

They House finally figured out they couldn't even run a cafeteria, and turned it over to private enterprise. The Senate still hasn't figured out how to run one. What makes them think they can efficiently manage the nations oil supplies?

He who controls energy has the power of life and death. Literally.
This has nothing to do with efficiency or price. It is about controlling energy in exchange for political power.

I think they should nationalize Furrs Cafeterias first.

I suggest the US Congress focus on their own mismanagement of public funds before they start pointing fingers at anyone else.

More proof that the Democrats are not really "democrats" in the real sense of the word. They are Marxists and Stalinists; not all but most. They freely embrace the failed and deadly ideas and ideals that have caused unimaginable suffering and death across an entire century. Sick, very sick!

I think the message from Congress is pretty clear. "We can't drill our way out of this." really means: "We won't allow ourselves to drill out of this until you give us access to all of the industry profits."

The simple fact of the matter is that socialism and communism are the breeding grounds of corruption. Unless we allow the Democratic Congress free reign to line their pockets with oil wealth (like the governments of all other oil producing nations), the U.S. will be blocked by Congress from any energy expansion. The Democratic lead congress envies the socialist governments' control over oil and will not permit any drilling in the U.S. unless it is nationalized. They are hoping the prices go high enough that the American public will cry "Uncle" and let them control it...at which point the price will really spiral out of control.

If nationalization of the oil industry is permitted, prices will go up further, the quality will deteriorate and pollution will no longer be a consideration.

Please, everyone write to your Senators and Representatives condemning any possibility of nationalizing any aspect of energy production.

There is not much profit in the refining side of the oil business. Oil ownership, however, is another story. To hear elected officials say that the govt. should run the refineries simply indicates the lack of research into the matter. As most refineries are running close to capacity, the idea that more gasoline could be provided is baseless. Incredible!!

The recent actions of the Solons of Congress on the Democrat side have decided that the tipping point is at hand as regards the public and their attitudes towards Socialism and/or quasi-Communism. The leaders of the Democrat party, along with a substantial majority of the rest of the party's elected members and the party activists have concluded that the public is ready for Socialism. The party has pretty much either purged or neutralized those activists and office holders that are traditional liberals. The hard left, led by the George Soros' of the world, have seen that the public may have fussed, but they have adapted to every incremental step toward Socialism that has been taken, Social Security, Medicare, Medicade, government schools, government insurance schemes, government regulation of parks and hunting, etc., and etc. The Left has now decided that the way has been prepared and the public is ready for the next step in the Socializing of America, the Socialization of the energy industry in America. Now I would like to think that the American citizenry would rise up and put an end to this, but at what point, and do you want to bet you life and/or livelyhood on it. I would not be prepared to do so. I believe that it was Thomas Jefferson that said that the tree of liberty had to be watered from time to time by the blood of patriots. Are we approaching that point? I am not prepared to give that question a catagorical no.

These same idiots lambasting gov't for not doing enough when Katrina hit now TRUST them to run our energy companies? HOO-BOY,what a surprize they'll get.

What you far right wack jobs fail to understand is that Nationalizing the oil industry is the only way to protect the public from the greed of big oil. The oil companies are contolling the high price of gasoline... not speculators. It is time to stand up for working Americans, who are being bent over by big oil. Either nationalize the oil industry or limit the amount of profit they can make to a reasonable amount. Tust me, they fat cats will still be living better than the rest of us.

Let's not be too hasty in dismissing an old idea by and old foe so fast. I know some Oil Refinery Accountants and tax attorneys here in Houston. Look at the facts. A Billion dollar refinery in the great USA makes $50,000 net profit for the year of 2007. 300,000bpd of unrefined oil goes to a net profit of $50,000 for the year of 2007. The government does not tax it self. After all the taxes for the year of 2007 are paid, all a refinery has left is $50,000. Local government is based on local property taxes. Local government does not tax Federal property or assets. The federal government does not tax itself. There is no tax on the intellectual capacity of the US congress. 0 times 0 is still zero. I don't care what the GOA says or what accounting magic they come up with. Think about it, if the US government nationalizes all the oil companies. EXXON is not going away, well maybe leave the USA. IF Exxon has no taxable assets in the USA? The communist hidden in our government will be successful. Think about this, the refineries that the government owns, will function in name only. Americans are pretty dumb, but even I know if you pay someone not to work, welfare, we won't work. I keep thinking of the old joke told in the USSR to other people when the government was not listening, " They pretend to pay us, we pretend to work." It will be easy for people like me to tell when a government employee comes around. They will be the only ones driving cars or flying air planes. They will stick out like a sore thumb. Or should I say a thorn in the back side of America. Think of all the environmental regulation that would be eliminated if the Government owned all the oil companies in the good old USA. If all the things that the environmental communist hated were owned by the government, they would not have anything to complain about? Put this picture in your mind. It's a bright summer sunny day in California. A week after the government nationalizes EXXON's assets. A very well dressed tall thin blonde GSA auditor goes to the office for the refinery. She is amazed by all the guys sitting on their butts doing nothing in the middle of the day. But one guy is sipping a Bud. He looks up at her and does not whistle or smile. He continues on reading the CFR book, US Government Civil Service rules for terminating an employee of the government. I may be slow, stupid and from Houston, Texas, but I can read. I would'n care if the government nationalized the refinery or not. Even if they cut my pay in half, I would not quit and I would not get mad. If I get fired, that means I don't have to show up to work at a place that most likely will blown up and kill me. A poorly run refinery, not blow up, who are you trying to fool? Me?

Can we privatize Congress?

Just this last week our Oregon Congressman, Earl Blumenauer gets on national news and like a broken record, 68 Million Acres. Like he thought 68 million acres actually meant anything.

The Oil Drillers have to buy a lease to explore. Then if they find oil they have to buy another lease to drill and pump. Such a deal, 68 million acres of dry holes.

And Earl (bow tie) Blumenauer thinks we should take him seriously when he wags his finger for not drilling empty holes.

Drill
ONly
Known
Empty
Yield...
AKA Donkey

Gas
and
Oil
for
People
(sometimes)
AKA GOP

SteveRunner: That's too stupid an argument to even justify a logical response. Please read some of the posts here before picking at straws for arguments.

Anyone with half a brain can see that since FDR the Democrats have turned more and more Marxist/socialist..Now in the next election they may get full control of the Judicial system by packing the SCOTUS, then they will move on nationalizing industries..SCOTUS is THE KEY and with a supermajority in the Senate and Obama in the WH NOTHING can stop them from legislating from the bench for the next fufty years, THAT'S THE BALLGAME folks, not just one industry..wake up to the REAL THREAT.

American Thinker and other conservative sources have spent decades cataloguing the failures of socialism in international relations, economics, law enforcement, education, medicine, and the arts. Still, the American printed press and broadcast news outlets have managed to convince a majority of Americans that the present administration is building a dictatorship and that a Democrat administration can be trusted to care for the populace by appeasing their enemies, mismanaging their health care, mis-educating their children, and taxing the economy into a downturn. It is possible that the current slowdown is due entirely to the Democrat majority in Congress merely threatening to raise taxes in 2009.
What hope is there if the truth is ignored by the majority, and the big lie accepted as truth?

The People of the United States ALREADY own the oil companies. They are called Share Holders, and anyone in the U.S. can be one. "Nationalization" is actually the taking of ownership from The People and giving it to beurocrats.

Nationalization of Natural Resources in North America, (OIL)

It is now time for the current US Congress to draft a law that will authorize the use of the Armed Forces of America to seize control of all Oil reserves, assets, and property within the borders of the United States of America. Americans are suffering financially because of the profiteering that is being sanctioned by the current Congress. The very survival of America will depend on the controls and relief to the consumer. By controlling the oil and refining process, the final price to the consumer can drop back to levels in the two digit margin, i.e. 39 cents. It is now a matter of National Security that this happen within a very short period of time, or every American will suffer the financial burden of out of control price per gallon for fuel, thus driving up every consumer product and service beyond the affordable means of an average income American.

The American Republic will recommend that the current US Congress and President be held accountable for this "crime against Humanity" as well as numerous others.

It is time to fire the US Congress and President, now and in November, 2008. A new Republic for North America is underway.

We are a Legion of many, who will live a life of peace, and have respect for all living things, while having considerations for those who are different, and look for ways to truly accommodate those who are slow in understanding.

We support the poor, helpless, and defenseless people. We support the freedom of Women, we support the sane treatment of animals and the environment, we support the freedom of religion and expression. We do not support ignorance, period.

We are a growing nation of people that encourage anyone or Nation anywhere to become part of the New American Republic!

NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM
Judah Ben-Hur, Sui Juris
Ambassador
The American Republic
Diplomatic Mission: North America

I would like to comment on the idea of nationalization of the oil companies. I am lifelong Republican but I think government control of the oil industry is not only a good idea but has become a necessity. It is obvious that the oil companies are completely mismanaged and there is no such thing as a free market oil industry. What would be gained by nationalizing the oil industry? 1. Complete price control. 2. No more commodity speculation of oil futures. 3. Direct sales of oil to the US government from foreign countries. (I have no doubt that OPEC nations will be more than willing to sell a barrel of oil to the United States for $20 or less. This is especially true with a nuclear powered aircraft carrier sitting off the coast of their country. ) 4. All oil in the United States or shipped into the United States will be refined and used for U.S. citizen consumption. None of this oil will be sold on the "world market." 5. All existing U.S. oil company equipment and leases are now the property of the U.S. government. This includes the equipment stolen by Venezuela. We can easily go into and retrieve the equipment or completely detroy it so it is no longer usuable.