Byron Dorgan: A Translation
Once again, a committed socialist Democrat has opened his mouth. And I know some of my good readers might fall asleep trying to read the drivel writings that those on the left are capable of writing. So, as a service to you, we have once again provided a translation.
Sen Byron Dorgan:
The huge windfall profits dropping in the laps of the major integrated oil companies — ExxonMobil alone reported a $9.9 billion profit for the third quarter — are the result of relentless and painful squeezing of American consumers, and of forces that have nothing to do with a free market.
Translation: Look, just because governments took in over $50 billion in taxes on gasoline doesn't mean that private businesses should be able to earn so much. I want more damn money, and I want it now. I've heard of the concept of a free market, but that would take money away from me, so I oppose it in every form. Ogre's Comment: Bite me, you communist bastard who hates profits.
These astounding profits are on top of profits a year ago, when $40-a-barrel prices were already establishing records for corporate profit. Now oil sells for about $60 a barrel. It has recently been as high as nearly $70 a barrel. By any measure, this year's profits are stunning.
Translation: Oil was expensive, but that doesn't give gasoline companies the right to raise prices. I think gasoline should always be exactly $1.00 a gallon, no matter how much oil costs because then I could control more of it and get more money to spent. Ogre's Comment: No concept at all of how the basic economy works, huh? Does this idiot even know that when prices of raw materials go up that the consumer prices will rise? I don't think so.
What are the major integrated oil companies doing with all those billions? According to their own reports, they are buying back their own stock, hoarding cash, and looking for new mergers and acquisitions — "digging for oil on Wall Street," as BusinessWeek put it.
Translation: These sorry SOBs are actually earning money and NOT giving it to me in the form of taxes, and I AM PISSED. Ogre's Comment: Mind your own business you busybody. Bite me. It's their damn money, NOT YOURS.
What's happening is unfair and painful for millions of American consumers.
Translation: Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Ogre's Comment: Life isn't fair, and when government gets involved, it will only get LESS fair -- every single time.
I propose levying a 50% excise tax on windfall profits (defined as revenue from oil prices over $40 a barrel) by the major integrated oil companies, with all revenues rebated directly to consumers whose pain has been the source of big oil's gain.
Translation: I want higher taxes. I honestly want to put these damn oil companies out of business because then the I, err...the government, can get into the oil business and get even more money for me to spend. Ogre's Comment: Does anyone else remember what happened when Jimmy Carter tried price caps? They fail every single time they are tried. Go ahead, pass this tax. Then in the next disaster you won't pay $3 or $4 a gallon -- because there won't be any gasoline to buy, you morons.
But the big oil companies could avoid the tax if they use their windfall profits to explore for more oil or build new refineries. Regrettably, that is not what they are now doing with their windfall profits. My legislation is a pretty powerful incentive to do the right thing!
Translation: Oh, but if you do exactly what I say for you to do with your profits that you earn with your hard work, you can not pay me some taxes. In other words, do what I say or pay me cash. Ogre's Comment: Socialism at it's best. Use the power and guns of government to force individuals to do your bidding. If they refuse, crush them under your heel. And this bastard was actually elected. It scares me that there are people who support him and this idea.
If big oil companies aren't willing to make those kinds of investments with their easy money, then it makes sense to require them to return at least a portion of it to consumers.
Translation: Do what I say or I will destroy you. Ogre's Comment: Is it possible to be any more opposed to freedom?
Profits are what fuels corporate America. I'm all for them. But outrageous profits, squeezed from consumers caught in a market rife with manipulation, is not what American business is all about.
Translation: I'm going to say I like profits -- but I only like profits when *I* get them, when *I* get to determine what happens with them, and when *I* get to decide how much they are. I cannot stand any business in America that does anything without me being personally involved. All money transfers need to be personally approved by me so I can get some of the cash for sitting on my rear and not actually working to earn anything. Ogre's Comment: I got your profits right here, pal. Come and get 'em.
We have an obligation to insist on what's right for American consumers.
Translation: If it gets me cash, it doesn't matter who gets hurt, how, why, or what affect it has on anyone else. I'm in this game for getting money for myself and everyone else can get lost. Ogre's Comment: That's about it. Dorgan honestly believes in using the full force of the government for his own personal gain. Quite literally everything else does not matter to him. Did you vote for this anti-capitalist, anti-freedom idiot?
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Comments
1
It does reflect badly on a supposedly American voting district when they elect someone like that, doesn't it?
They seem, collectively, to forget that if it weren't for capitalists, it would be much easier to count the number of employed persons in the U.S. than the number of those UNemployed, there would simply be too many tens of millions of homeless people, and there would be no tax money to support them.
I can hear the announcer now, "This nation-ending double whammy has been brought to you by... Your victorious Democratic party, who have finally succeeded in stamping out capitalism."
They seem, collectively, to forget that if it weren't for capitalists, it would be much easier to count the number of employed persons in the U.S. than the number of those UNemployed, there would simply be too many tens of millions of homeless people, and there would be no tax money to support them.
I can hear the announcer now, "This nation-ending double whammy has been brought to you by... Your victorious Democratic party, who have finally succeeded in stamping out capitalism."
Posted by: Seth at November 03, 2005 04:07 PM (Mwp8z)
2
I'm just amazed at how well Ayn Rand predicted all this so many years ago. As much as people don't want to admit it, there are people in our own government that honestly HATE capitalism and are actively working to destroy it. That scares the crap out of me.
Posted by: Ogre at November 03, 2005 04:15 PM (/k+l4)
3
ROTF Ogre says:
Bite me, you communist bastard who hates profits.
BITE ME!! I love it.
What is up with these people who insist it a crime to make profit? It's what capitalism is all about. I know there are many who hate that concept though, and you're right...they'll do anything to destroy it. Then American will become....France. Ick.
Bite me, you communist bastard who hates profits.
BITE ME!! I love it.
What is up with these people who insist it a crime to make profit? It's what capitalism is all about. I know there are many who hate that concept though, and you're right...they'll do anything to destroy it. Then American will become....France. Ick.
Posted by: Raven at November 03, 2005 06:01 PM (D1BL0)
4
The end goal of Socialism is Communism, Capitalism is the anti-communism, and they want to be in charge and tell us what we want and can have or do.
The Left Sucks
The Left Sucks
Posted by: Michael at November 03, 2005 06:05 PM (3QfYL)
5
Ogre, I'm sending your qualifications as a translator to the RNC, damn, they could use your help in shutting up the DNC.
Posted by: GM Roper at November 03, 2005 09:18 PM (0CqNu)
6
"I propose levying a 50% excise tax on windfall profits (defined as revenue from oil prices over $40 a barrel)"
Great idea. If I ran an oil company I would say "Go ahead and pass that tax, and when our accountants tell us that we have hit our maximum allowable profit for the quarter we will shut down and send everybody home".
The profits exxonmobil made were under 10%. Most people running a business will tel you that 10% profit is too small to make it. Exxon survived on small profits early on, as did mobil, and everyt other big business out there. Profits are NOT evil. Democrats are.
Great post Ogre.
Great idea. If I ran an oil company I would say "Go ahead and pass that tax, and when our accountants tell us that we have hit our maximum allowable profit for the quarter we will shut down and send everybody home".
The profits exxonmobil made were under 10%. Most people running a business will tel you that 10% profit is too small to make it. Exxon survived on small profits early on, as did mobil, and everyt other big business out there. Profits are NOT evil. Democrats are.
Great post Ogre.
Posted by: kender at November 03, 2005 11:18 PM (Krfgx)
7
Thanks, all, for the kind words! Yes, this fellow really is a socialst/communist. He really does want to shut down anything capitalist. Why more don't see that, I'm not sure. I think it's because so many people are willing to accept this sort of thing (class envy?)
And you're right Kender, their overall profit margin was somewhere near 6% -- and this was a good year! There are many years in the recent past where they made 2-3% profit! It's called a cyclical industry.
And you're right Kender, their overall profit margin was somewhere near 6% -- and this was a good year! There are many years in the recent past where they made 2-3% profit! It's called a cyclical industry.
Posted by: Ogre at November 04, 2005 05:28 AM (7PCNv)
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