Big Oil says hands off our tax breaks

[TomCADem]

Source: Associated Press

The heads of the five biggest oil companies told lawmakers on Thursday that it would cost the nation jobs and economic growth if they passed proposed legislation that would limit tax breaks for the oil industry. Senate Democrats weren’t convinced.

Those Democrats want to cut billions of dollars in tax subsidies that were created to induce oil companies to explore for oil and drill wells in the United States. The lawmakers argue an industry which makes billions in profits each year doesn't need tax breaks when the government is trying to cut spending and reduce its bloated deficit.

But executives at a Capitol Hill hearing on the proposal said it would end up reducing the competitiveness of U.S. oil companies.

"By undermining U.S. competitiveness, they would discourage future investment in energy projects in the United States and therefore undercut job creation and economic growth," Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson said.


Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42996868/ns/business-oil_and_energy/

[LiberalFighter]

1. Scream at them and tell them that those tax breaks came from us workers.

[muntrv]

2. Hey big oil! Hand off my tax dollars!

[onehandle]

10. And off of our public lands.

Don't want to share some of your record earnings for the public good?

Then no more free lunch.

[bluerum]

3. Just pass the damn bill. Do not negotiate with blackmailers.

[vi5]

4. And let me guess....the Senate responds....

"O.K. Sure. Whatever you want!!! Just keep that cash a flowin' our way."

Well, they say this after some gratuitous chest puffing out which amounts to nothing.

When this comes to a vote and the lines are drawn between who supports the people and who supports big oil then I'll applaud. But until then this is little more than political theater.

[cstanleytech]

5. @Rex Tillerson

I believe you and your associates beat them to that sir.

[sarcasmo]

6. Put it to a vote and show the country who sides with big oil every time.

[Curmudgeoness]

7. I keep telling lawmakers to pass or not pass legislation,

and they never listen to MEEEE. They have never once asked me to "help" write legislation. They don't even take my suggestions (and I do suggest more than that they go to hell). Why should big oil have a seat at their table. I thought that this was "the people's government", by the people, for the people, blah blah blah. Oh, that's right, that is the lie we are told to keep us in line.

[defendandprotect]

8. Oil industry thinks government subsidy is something they're ENTITLED to -- ???

Not to mention that government also gives them license to exploit labor --

and natural resources -- oceans, waterway -- etal -- !!

All free of charge!!

What's the planet worth?

[dorksied]

14. Republicans want to kill public 'entitlement' programs, while leaving Big Oil alone...

When are we going to kick these assholes out of office for GOOD?

[Amonester]

24. Not only that, they R now frothing at the mouth at the idea of exploiting

GREENLAND: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1099597

And, they R kind of "thanking" GLOBAL WARMING for making it a now (or soon) PROFITABLE venture!!!

Imagine that!

VAMPIRE$, ALL!

[onehandle]

9. T.S. nt

[unkachuck]

11. "The heads of the five biggest oil companies told lawmakers..."

....that's right you pimple-assed lawmakers, you've been 'told' and you'd better deliver on what your big-corporate-brother wants or your bribe money will go to others, then for sure you'll be de-elected....

....one thing to consider though, we'll never be able to pay our federal bills if you keep giving away our tax revenue....and by the way, keep your greedy corrupt slippery fingers off our Social Security and Medicare....

[truedelphi]

12. + My household. n/t

[Fritz67]

13. "Buck it up, Jerkholes!!!

We're in a budget crisis, remember?"

That's what I wish someone would say to those pieces of sociopathic excrement.

I mean, if the pinheads on TV can remind us of the "budget crisis" in relation to Social Security (even though it has jack to do with the deficit), Medicare, NPR, and Food Stamps, surely we can remember it when dealing with companies that make eleven figure quarterly profits?

Oh wait, no. That would take courage.

[aggiesal]

15. Let them keep their oil subsidies ...

Then tax the $hit out of them.

Hey, we didn't touch your oil subsidies

[left on green only]

23. Bravo! A thinking person has just spoken.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

16. Round the CEOS up and put them in GITMO

[russspeakeasy]

17. I'm still waiting for "Gasholes" to come out.

It should be interesting viewing...involving all the big oil
co's.

[Hubert Flottz]

18. I could make up a hell of a story for a billion dollars.

So can they.

[tclambert]

19. Shut them up with one word: Nationalize.

There have been times we have threatened to nationalize the oil industry, on national security or economic security grounds. Other countries have done it, and by doing so have greatly enriched the people of those countries.

[Vidar]

21. Don't threaten--just do it!

[Devil_Fish]

20. Dear oil companies, Fuck off.

We don't need you fracking this country up beond repair. You are a poison on this planet. If there is any industry that should be subsidised it is this one:

www.helixwind.com

[Thor_MN]

22. We need to start attaching ammendments to phase out breaks based on the size of the corporation

They keep "bait and switching" saying that small companies need the breaks, but then the bulk goes to the mega-corps. Force the politicians to go on record that they are willing to vote for huge corporations over we, the people. Phase out tax breaks starting at companies that are 1/3 the average size for the industry so that they are gone for the top 1/3.

[classysassy]

25. Tax breaks for the greedy

why don't the oil companies help the truly needy our service members and retired military?If they charged the military members one half of what all of us pay they would still make a hefty profit.I suggest everyone email the oil companies and sujest they give the military active/retired a break,the people that has done so much to protect their interest.I am sure those greedy b astards will come up with an excuse why they can't.