Bernie Sanders calls for oil price controls and windfall profit taxes

[Armstead]

Once again, Bernie goes where otehrs fear to tread...

http://bernie.house.gov/documents/articles/20050816165550.asp

8/16/2005, WCAX
Sanders Offers Ideas to Battle Rising Fuel Costs


Burlington, VT - Vermont Congressman Bernie Sanders says price controls and windfall profits taxes are the way to bring down soaring gasoline prices.

Sanders talked to reporters at a Burlington gas station this morning. He said big profits at the largest oil companies are coming out of the pockets of working people. His legislation calls for opening the strategic petroleum reserve, enacting windfall profits taxes, and a formal complaint to the World Trade Organization about price fixing by OPEC, the organization of oil exporting countries.

Sanders expects his approach will pick up support as members of congress spend time in their districts during the congressional recess.

"Older people are fearful about how they're going to heat their homes this winter. And I think that type of grass roots reaction, that type of anger, that type of fear, is in fact going to provoke the Congress to move forward. And I intend to play an active role in that process," said Sanders.

Sanders said president Bush has failed to put pressure on OPEC because Republicans take large financial contributions from the big oil companies.