No Wonder Liberals Won't Drill - Nothing To Gain, Everything To lose

Comments

This is your best post, ever. Great job outlining what is really going on.


Liberals look for villains, not for solutions. And when they point the finger, they have a zero percent success rate in actually pointing it in the right direction - back at themselves.


Investigating oil speculators isn't going to solve the supply problem. What are you going to do convince them that there is more oil than there actually is?


Taking more money from the oil companies isn't going to solve the problem. They already make less than 10% profit. How is that a windfall? Do you know how many other companies there are in the world that make more than 10%? I bet you could find all kinds of "green" product producers who are making more than 10%. What would you do with the extra tax money anyway?


Nationalizing the refineries... sure, that will work just as great at nationalized healthcare. Don't get me wrong on the healthcare. I understand the idea is to get coverage for everyone, and that certainly would be nice, but it doesn't make it cheaper. They actually think they can run refineries better?


Drill in the land you already leased, they say. Don't you think the oil companies would be doing that, if they found oil there? Alaskans are begging for us to drill in ANWR. Lets do it. Even saying that we are going to do it will probably lower oil prices. Try explaining that one to liberals... they don't understand how the market works.


Maybe higher gas prices will bring that one thing I've been searching for - a cure to this sickness called liberalism.


By the way, how long do you think it will take for us to hear a liberal suggest a bracketed system for gas prices - where the so-called rich pay more for gas than a low income person? Think about it... isn't that always their argument? The rich can afford it, so why not have them pay more?

[this is good]

This is brilliant; the left-liberals always over look the fact that oil extracted in the USA means that our balance of payments results in our favor. You would think that pumping oil from ANWAR or anywhere else in America would be the highest priority, but they are left-liberals DUH! Nationalizing the oil business, isn’t that what Hugo Chavez did in Venezuela?

I've been in the U.K. for 6 weeks. Just thought I'd drop in to see if you'd had an epiphany and become a liberal while I was away. O.K. lame, I know...

So, what's the answer to high gas prices? Dunno. I doubt the oil cartels would be listening to any of us. I guess we'll just have to put our faith in good old free enterprise. Uh, that's right, they are the cause of the problem. Never mind, McCain will sort it all out. Well, won't he?

Anyway, good to see you still holding forth, even if I disagree with most of it. Go well.
Ted, don't know if you've mentioned this but a past Democratic president tried the windfall tax thing against oil companies and it pretty much led to exactly the situation we have now. It immediately stopped any domestic oil exploration and had the exact opposite of the desired effect, as any person blessed with the ability to reason could have figured out in advance.

It would almost be worth Obama winning in November, because he'd likely butcher things so badly that he'd be one and done.
This is classic: "Liberals look for villains, not for solutions." - especially while congratulating another villainizing diatribe from the Naked Conservative.

In anycase, how about holding out on tapping domestic oil until we have the largest proven reserves? Or how about Nationalizing oil in order to remove it from the global market? Yeah from an economic standpoint these ideas are about as simplistic as the blog post above.

We shall see, Ted. But I won't be holding my breath until your predictions come true.

Scho,

Thanks for the kinds words. I was going to answer everyone in one post, but then I came to Hen's, and since it deserved special attention, I didn't want those even more deserving to feel slighted So...

You know, it appears that liberals think the oil companies are content to sit on what they have and jack up prices as supply dwindles. You and I can see the folly in their belief, but since they believe things that are even greater folly , why should we expect them to be rational about this?

I don't know about you, but I was shocked to actually see those fools go public with their nationalization desires, but if they can feel comfortable doing that, your idea of having the rich pay more makes perfect sense. But then these people are so stupid and so dangerous that nothing they advocate should be a surprise anymore.

One last thing - Michael Savage regards them as diseased as you may know. I have avoided that because a disease requires sympathy, treatment, and the pursuit of a cure. But I can't have sympathy for anyone who seeks to damage America irreparably. I prefer to regard them as criminally insane. Lock 'em up in padded rooms. Give 'em all the drugs they want.

Zak,

YOU would think drilling makes sense, but you're at a disadvantage - you can't think like a liberal - or McCain. There's simply no rational argument for not drilling everywhere and anywhere now - as Hen has recently demonstrated.

Jeff,

Someone mentioned recently that a whole lot of Americans have no knowledge of, much less experience with, the Carter Administration. It was so bad that as a young adult, I was scared that we were in danger if imminent collapse, and I must say that despite what we've been through since, I have never again experienced the fear I felt under Carter. He literally did nothing right.

And wasn't Carter an engineer?

Re; Obama winning, I agree with you. If I felt I could insulate myself from the effects of his Presidency and just sit back and watch, it would be the greatest show on Earth!

Carter's innate intelligence can't be questioned. He's a very smart guy. He was nuke in the Navy I believe. His utter lack of common sense, however....

The ticket price to the Obama show would be pretty steep though :)


Snowy,

Free enterprise is the cause of the problem? I'd actually love to hear you tell that story. As for you disagreeing with most of what i say, I believe that's only because we haven't debated our differences, so if you ever feel like trying to close the gap, you know where to find me.

McCain's not going to solve anything with a Dem controlled Congress, but the difference between him and Obama is - he'll try. I mean he's already demonstrated that he's willing to reconsider his positions as facts change.

Of course, Obama has too - he's decided to ignore his pledge about public financing now that he can raise more money on his own. That's change you can believe in!

<Grin>. So, you're already making excuses for your hero's presumed failure to perform. Strange that a willingness to reconsider a position is a virtue for McCain but not for Obama. But not really, I suppose, in a universe where all liberals are bad and all conservatives are good. Which is why you can make the outlandish statement that McCain will try but Obama won't. Really, Ted, you're going to have to do better than that if you're to have any credibility at all. Much, much better. Go well.

Hen,

I admit I'd have been quite unhappy that you were critical without offering anything whatsoever as an alternative we're it not for the fact that you achieved a personal best for incoherence and you were kind enough to do it right here!

But I'm sure that when you think about it, you'll realize that Obama's comment was every bit as stupid as I thought it was, and I didn't even mention that even if I concede that his idea of "finite" is closer to reality than mine is, what exactly was he saying - that because supplies are limited, we shouldn't find them too quickly?

But here's something else that tempered my response to your thoughtlessness - Ralph Peters wrote a column today that is all about you and yours. I felt kinda bad for you after reading it...

And if nothing else, please reassure me that "anycase" was a typo?!?

Jeff,

I thin that lots of brilliant people self-destruct, so I don't believe we should put too much stock in "brilliance" by itself It's the common sense part that I consider brilliant. So many "average" people have excelled because of it. I don't know how one measures brilliance anyway? How someone performs on tests? But you can measure common sense by results

Snowy,

I'd appreciate it if when you make suppositions, they at least follow logically from either facts or from something I've said, since the two may not be one and the same.

Nevertheless, I'll deign to entertain your ramblings, since the alternative is to scream at Bob Melvin, and I've already done plenty of that today.

"you're already making excuses for your hero's presumed failure"

I neither made an excuse, not did I ever proclaim McCain my hero. My comment was rooted in fact... you must have some recollection of those, no?

And his failure is not presumed since future circumstances could easily force even a Dem Congress to capitulate. But then what with your recently being somewhere in the UK, you may have missed the fact that the Liberals idiots have not changed their tune one note, and have if anything, hardened their stance in the face of overwhelming public opinion to the contrary... so of course, something has to give there.

"Strange that a willingness to reconsider a position is a virtue for McCain but not for Obama."

Here again, I'm going to, for your sake, assume you're unfamiliar with the facts - that we have known reserves we aren't tapping because of idiotic restrictions imposed long ago by your favorite party. McCain DID subscribe to those idiotic positions. Now he's reconsidered a bit? So if one holds an idiotic position and subsequently sees the light, it may not be a virtue to change, but at least he ceases to be an idiot.

Obo's position changes, on the other hand, are far more frequent and personal, as in - do they benefit him personally? If so, that becomes his position du jour, and most often, he tries to blame attacks by McCain and Republicans for necessitating said changes. Nothing he's done, failed to do, or decided on his own is the problem, it's always about how he's been misunderstood.

"in a universe where all liberals are bad and all conservatives are good. Which is why you can make the outlandish statement that McCain will try but Obama won't."

Wow, have you decided to try to outdo Hen here tonight? Because all liberals ARE bad, and yes, that includes you as long as you identify with their insane ideas, but anyone who knows me even a little bit would never say that I think all conservatives are good. in fact, I detest most of them. The difference is that i don't detest them because of their horribly dangerous ideas.

As for McCain trying and Obo not, you've appeared to generalize as your sort is wont to do. I was referring specifically to the price of oil, and if it's my fault for not being clear, please accept my apology and consider this clarification:

McCain is already trying - Obo isn't. So who is likely to try harder, assuming Obo tries at all? but I concede that he may be forced to "try" as conditions deteriorate. However (and again you may not know this, but then one has to at some point, start to question what, in fact, you do know?), Barackie is firmly on record as favoring high prices and forcing Americans into alternative and far more expensive and inconvenient choices, so knowing what we know, one would suspect that he wouldn't be all that gung-ho to set out on a mad drilling spree.

"Really, Ted, you're going to have to do better than that if you're to have any credibility at all. Much, much better."

Well, hopefully I have just done so, God willing,and it's now up to you to demonstrate that you know anything at all and that you can subsequently string those facts together to form a logical conclusion. Take all the time you need, but please, don't attempt anything further until you've got something concrete and it's not between your ears.

Heh, heh, heh. Oh really, Ted, you shouldn't take yourself so seriously. No-one else does.

Speaking of taking people seriously, you don't see me dropping in on your blog, do you?

But again, if ever you have something to debate... well, forget that, I know you won't bring it here because you can't risk me taking it seriously...

G'night, Ted. Sleep well.
If Snowy could provide an example of one thing government has done better and cheaper than the private sector I might actually listen.

But that would be impossible, since it's never happened.
The US should go back on the Gold Standard even if we devalue the paper dollars100/ 1. That would solve the high cost of most anything.
Try the health care system in Australia which was introduced by a liberal government, has a mix of private and public health care, and is run by the government. Every Australian is entitled to free hospital accommodation and medical care in a public hospital; can choose any doctor they please; and does not have to worry about being bankrupted by medical bills. There's more, but I doubt you're listening, so I won't bother continuing.
I'll have to take your word for that. I'm no economist.
I'm sure Australians get free accomodation and care, but do they get good free accomodation and care? That's the question.

Is it as much a smashing success as the British and Canadian systems?

You know, the British one where anyone who needs an operation that isn't "life threatening" has upwards of a two year wait? And where several people I know flew themselves or loved ones elsewhere and paid for it themselves.

Or like Canada, where one in four people in the country can't get a doctor because the nationalized system has removed almost all the incentives anyone would have to become a doctor in the first place?


To answer your question, "Yes". If you had asked me if the system was perfect, I would have had to answer "No". I'm not aware of any system that is perfect. The system offers a choice between a bare bones free public system and a private system that costs me AUD$220 a month that does not have some of the disadvantages of the public system. Between the two, Australians do enjoy good, affordable health care, and so far as I am concerned that is a basic right of every citizen.

You can nitpick all you like about other Universal Health Care systems, but the fact remains that the US health system is a disgrace, and Americans deserve much better. The only way that is going to happen is if you remove your ideological blinkers regarding so-called "socialised medicine". Time to forget the liberal/conservative divide. We're people first and foremost, no matter what label we care to hang on ourselves.

That's why I wish Ted would get over this continual diatribe against liberals. I know it makes him feel better, but does it really achieve anything? Far better to be sticking it up all politicians and trying to get them to do something about what really matters, such a decent health care system. I'm really quite fond of him for some perverse reason, and it bugs me seeing him waste so much time on negative liberal bashing, when he could be doing something far more productive with his time. I know he won't appreciate that gratuitous advice, but I'm older than he is, so he'll just have to wear it.

Ok, settle down, Ted. Settle down! Oh well....

Jeff, when I saw your Snowy query, I knew exactly where we'd be headed, and frankly, I'm not capable of assessing the Aussie healthcare system. Unfortunately, neither is he, but I'm willing to concede that it's better than the British or Canadian system in that it incorporates -private- care which, NB, he's opted for. Unfortunately, I didn't note his concern, which I'm sure exists, for those who, for whatever reason, aren't able to avail themselves of the private option. May I presume their care is as "disgraceful" as the American system where everyone gets virtually any level of care needed and on a timely basis? I don't know.

Snowy,

In regard to my comment to Jeff just above, now it's your turn to settle down because I've long been a leading critic of our system, with the solution to it all being more, not less, private options. In fact, it's criminal that we restrict options based on where you work and that plans themselves vary based on what individual companies can afford.

But I don't want to debate healthcare here, which is why I so wish Jeff had stated his question thusly:

"Apart from healthcare, if Snowy could provide an example of one thing government has done better and cheaper than the private sector I might actually listen."

Then we could both, he and I, sit back and... well.. wait and wait and wait for your answer, and even more amazing, the waiting wouldn't be the hardest part. The hardest part would be you coming up with something that wouldn't get heaped in ridicule, immediately and unremittingly.

But let me say this... I mean everything I say about liberals. In fact there's a lot I can't say, and even more I would do given the opportunity, but note that I didn't get cheeky with you until you did with me. That's because unlike with Hen, I know you mean well, and more importantly, you're operating at the limit of your ability.

Which is why you like me, btw, - I'm the brain you never had.

Now I don't believe that made you angry because I think you see that I'm just funnin', but that's why we get along as well as we do. I think we could have heated discussions, live and in person, without blows being thrown, and there's even the possibility that, on my part, I wouldn't even want to.

But this comment wouldn't be complete without adding a few more points, the main one being that I am quite troubled that you (and not just you) hurl charges and fabricate my positions and then refuse to debate anything. I mean, I know why you do, and Billy found out the hard way, but my goal is to show YOU why you do - it's imply because no good can come of it with regard to your own belief system. And if you'd just admit that, I'd stop pestering you.

Finally, I must say that I was offended that you feel I can't bash liberals and stick it to all politicians at the same time because well, that's about all i do here.I submit that you're so overly sensitive that you've completely missed the unbridled hatred I feel for the right side of the aisle, but again, for different, thought no less significant, reasons.

And it is, in fact, you from what little I know of you, who only criticizes one side - and not very well, I might add. You should really just plagiarize my criticism of the right. You'll look even better to your liberal friends because then they;'ll say, "Hey, this guy is not just all froth, he actually knowns something!?!

Now got along little dingo...

Zak,

Coulda, shoulda, woulda? I'm sitting here trying to think of something I want that's as equally unlikely to happen... and it involves liberals having a rational thought - even a shared one.

Yes, I think I could enjoy a beer with you, Ted. That said, I see no point in long debates with you. We are on opposite sides of the political spectrum, and nothing is going to change that. We could debate for years without achieving anything. And anyway, it's big business that runs the world, no matter which government is in power. And there's not a single thing that you and I can do about that. Oh, we can rant and rave here, which may make us feel a bit better, but that's about all. Far better to tend the roses, and give the finger to the rest of the world, I think.

My turn to go to bed. G'night.

The Republicans and Democrats are too dishonest to ever honor long term contracts or to return to real money like gold.

Zak,

I agree.

Snowy,

I see.

Snowy,

No sooner had I posted my reply to Zak and you than your comment started to eat at me. So if I understand you (and thank God there's no accent involved), not only are your seasons backward, but your days are too?

Now about debating, we shouldn't do it because it wouldn't solve anything? That's your position? Reminds me of Chandler in Friends: "What if Martin Luther King said, "I have a dream... I... I don't wanna talk about it?'"

So OK, can we at least agree that the Obama quote I cited above is the stupidest utterance by a presidential candidate since presidential candidates started uttering stuff? (And feel free to reread the actual quote and even utter it yourself as necessary)

Jeff,

When you mentioned Carter's failed windfall profits tax, I momentarily thought about and then forgot to mention Clinton's veto of drilling in Alaska. It was important enough even then that Bush ran on drilling there - it was one of his main points as I recall. Then he got in and did nothing, aparently because of the lame excuse that Congress wouldn't go for it anyway.

So I blame Clinton and Bush more or less equally, but truth be told, Bush is more to blame since he wasn't hamstrung by ideology - which of course is another reason why I hate him so much.

I actually never knew Clinton vetoed that drilling until recently.

And you never need to remind us of your utter hatred of W :)