Your (mostly Republican) friends in the U.S. Senate…
…no, not YOUR friends… Big Oil’s friends….
The U.S. Senate, on a procedural vote of 51-47, FAILED to achieve the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican-led filibuster that was also supported by some Democrats from oil-rich states. In doing so, the Senate BLOCKED legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) that would have targeted over $2 billion in annual tax subsidies to the “Big Five” oil companies: BP, Chevron Corp., Exxon Mobil Corp., Royal Dutch Shell, and ConocoPhillips.
Sometime I think that we should figure out a way to pass on all of the artificial increases in energy costs (remember, there is a GLUT of gasoline right now) to Americans who are too stupid to vote in their own self-interest. Actually, only some of them are too stupid. Many of them are otherwise-intelligent people who have to “jump to a conclusion/judgment” because they cannot FOCUS long enough with open minds to solve complex problems. In America, we REWARD such people with better jobs and higher salaries. Heck, we even similarly reward the “too stupid” ones, as well! 
“Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.” – H. L. Mencken
As for the Republicans (except the two who supported the bill), what happened to their support of capitalism? Why do they want to protect their benefactors from so-called “market forces?” (Sorry, just a stupid rhetorical question. ) Why don’t they want to use THIS money (Isn’t this money as good as OUR money? Wait! This money is ALSO our money! ) to reduce the federal deficit (see below)? (Sorry, just ANOTHER stupid rhetorical question.) I personally know otherwise-intelligent, brave, patriotic Americans who somehow do not see that this Republican filibuster is not in our (the 99%’s, and America’s) best interest.
At a White House appearance before the vote, Obama said members of Congress had a choice. They either can “stand with the big oil companies,” he said, “or they can stand with the American people.”
“Right now, the biggest oil companies are raking in record profits,” the president said. “On top of these record profits, oil companies are also getting billions a year in taxpayer subsidies.”
Frank Verrastro, director of the energy and national security program at the bipartisan Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that:
“The reality is that presidents have very little to do with near-term fluctuations in gasoline prices.”
Big Oil companies, on the other hand, DO!
-Bill at
Cheshire Cat Photo™ – “Your Guide to California’s Wonderland™”
You can view higher-resolution photos at the Cheshire Cat Photo™ Pro Gallery on Shutterfly™, where you can also order prints and gifts decorated with the photos of your choice from the gallery. The Cheshire Cat Photo Store on Zazzle® contains a wide variety of apparel and gifts decorated with our images of California. All locations are accessible from here. LIKE Cheshire Cat Photo on Facebook here! If you don’t see what you want or would be on our email list for updates, send us an email at info@cheshirecatphoto.com.
