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DFL HAS PRESS EVENT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT HIGH GAS PRICES THEY HELPED CREATE
By Michael B. Brodkorb | June 30, 2008
The Minnesota DFL and 2nd CD candidate Steve Sarvi are having a press conference this morning to complain about high gas prices. I agree that prices are too high, but the Minnesota DFL is partially to blame.
It was the DFL legislative leaders who pushed a massive gas-tax increase. It is Al Franken, the DFL endorsed candidate for the U.S. Senate, that supports increasing the gas-tax. Franken, a multi-millionaire, even suggested that Minnesotans wouldn’t notice a gas tax increase.
It is Senator Obama, the Democratic nominee for president, that doesn’t support a federal gas-tax holiday. It was representatives of the Minnesota DFL that attacked Senator McCain for supporting a federal gas-tax holiday.
Up and down the ballot, the blame for high gas prices should be directed at Minnesota DFL.
Topics: Uncategorized |
June 30th, 2008 at 10:48 am
The press shouldn’t even cover this. Democrats have zero grounds to complain about gas prices.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:51 am
It is also Democrats, generally, who have, since 1982, outlawed exploration of Domestic energy sources, and who have blocked every effort to expand refining capacity, and who have delivered dumb ass legislation requiring dozens of different gasoline formulas that eliminate any benefits of scale to refining capability.
Stupider still, Minnesota Democrats demanded that our electricity generation plants switch over to Natural Gas instead of coal…. what do you think that demand-side pressure does to the cost of heating your house in the winter?
The goddam dumb Democrats have increased our dependence on foreign oil and are the root cause of high energy prices.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:58 am
This is amazing.
The DFL and DFL State Senator Kathy Saltzman hold a press conference to say they oppose the bi-partisan Hillary Clinton/John McCain supported gas tax holiday. (Reps Bunn/Swails, what say you about your Senator’s criticism?)
Now the DFL lines up some DFL business owner to talk about how the high prices of gas are devastating?
This is the DFL’s fault!
Taxes are a huge piece of the price of gas. The DFL is making it a bigger piece. They opposed bi-partisan efforts to provide some relief.
And they opposed nearly every reasonable idea for domestic exploration and drilling.
Why they would hold a press conference to highlight a problem they created is beyond me.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:06 am
“Why they would hold a press conference to highlight a problem they created is beyond me.”
Well, then they’d have to stop holding any press conferences…
June 30th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Touché Chestnut
June 30th, 2008 at 11:26 am
BTW, DFL taxes kick in tomorrow…
June 30th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
the trouble is the media will report Democrats cared about the poor complaining about how those horrible oil companies are ripping them.
They will ignore supply and demand!
They will ignore the history of imposing a windfalls profit tax caused gasoline lines!
They of course will say it is Republicans are to blame when most Republicans have supported the real solutions like building refineries, drilling, and building coal + nuclear plants to walk awau from oil run electric power.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
June 30th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
How many Republicans in the legislature joined Democrats in raising the gas tax for the first time in 20 years? And overriding Timmy the Tool’s veto?
How many Republicans will be taking credit for all the road construction being done with the gas-tax increase?
What was the price of gas when George W. Bush took office? The price of crude?
June 30th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Blaming the DFL for the high costs of gasoline is ludicrous.
It is the Oil Companies themselves who have decreased refinery development and capacity, not drill for oil in areas they have leases for, and put prices high because they can. Do the Oil Companies want to spend any of their windfall profits on refineries and drilling???
Or is it that the Oil Companies do not want to lose the sweet deals offered up by Bush and Cheney in secret meeting when the Energy Policy was written up?? Why are the Oil Companies making record profits annually, recieving Tax breaks adn other subsidies???
What has the Bush Administration been doing to help Americans with the ever increasing Oil prices brought on by Spoeculators selling Oil futures for outrageous costs???
Will drilling off the American coasts and ANWAR solve our energy problems??? The Oil companies will not spend on penny for increased production and refinery capacity if they don’t have to.
A federal GAs Tax Holiday?? Then lay off the tens of thoudsands of workers who maintain the nation’s highways for 3 or 4 months. That sounds like good planning as motorists have to put up with detours, heavy traffic, etc.
The name of the game here is GREED!!!
It’s all the DFL’s fault!! Yeah, like that dog don’t hunt.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
CE:
1) Too goddam many… but I believe six in the House and two in the Senate are the numbers of Republicans who voted for the DFL’s irresponsible legislation
2) None. And to use a favorite phrase of Democrats these days… “it will be more than 10 years before” anyone notices any road construction due to the oppressive tax increase the DFLers pinned on Minnesota families.
3) You’re right. Over the past 7 years, the reaper has come to collect his toll for the awful, DFL-driven energy policies.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Kathy,
You’re funny. Misinformed, stupid and ridiculous on your own merits… but funny.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
This is pretty ridiculous. Yes, the DFL is to blame for gas being 3.99 a gallon instead of 3.96 a gallon. Bastards!
June 30th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
“Do the Oil Companies want to spend any of their windfall profits on refineries and drilling???”
Um… yes. In fact, they kinda beg to do so every time Democrats call them to the Hill for one of their silly “investigations.” … Unfortunately, Democrats are stalling every refinery expansion, every refinery build and every attempt to expand exploration of domestic energy sources.
“Or is it that the Oil Companies do not want to lose the sweet deals offered up by Bush and Cheney in secret meeting when the Energy Policy was written up??”
LOL… would you like some bullshit conspiracy with your coffee? What “sweet deals” you dumb ass?
“What has the Bush Administration been doing to help Americans with the ever increasing Oil prices brought on by Speculators…”
As usual, when Democrats can’t identify a real enemy, they fabricate one. Here’s a tip, if you can prove market manipulation, then do so. Until then, leave your hatred and attacks on the free market to yourselves. Or, while were at it, what say you to the record price of corn? … or should farmers be prohibited from selling the corn they expect to raise until after its harvested?
Democrats are really stupid.
“Will drilling off the American coasts and ANWAR solve our energy problems???”
Partially, yes. And I do know this, windmills and ethanol don’t solve shit…. they don’t solve shit now, and they won’t solve shit in ten years… isn’t that the magic time frame for liberals?
Here’s another question… how would a windfall profit tax produce more energy? Answer… it won’t.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Oh, and I forgot: “Do the Oil Companies want to spend any of their windfall profits on refineries and drilling???”
Yes, and they do. They spend billions investing in exploration and refining.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
… they also invest a ton on alternative energy… but that doesn’t fit well with the anti-Capitalist bullshit from the Democrat party.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Chestnut, if Democrats are stupid, why do they keep getting elected in record numbers?
June 30th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
I’ll part with many DFLers in saying that a windfall tax is dumb. But, so is long-sighted off-shore drilling. Indeed, lifting the federal ban is highly unlikely to accomplish much if for no other reason than few if any states are going to allow oil rigs to sit off their coast.
IMHO, oil companies are shooting themselves in the foot. They are taking short-sighted profits on the backs of their customers and in so doing spurring more and more desire to cut them out of the loop by development of non-oil based energy sources. Oil companies could control the price consumers are paying at the pump by cutting into their own profits. They are choosing not to, and, hopefully, it will be the pivot point in history where they are left in the dust. Market forces doing their job, something republicans can appreciate.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Chestbutt,
You can drill all you want in Alaska or Florida, but it’s not going to reduce the price of oil. We may be generating more oil domestically, but the prices won’t change. Most people care much more about the price at the pump, then where it actually comes from.
The real winners of drilling in Alaska will be the oil companies and the kick-backs Alaskan residents get every year.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
What the Republicans don’t seem to understand is the supply and demand principal.
The OPEC countries have a huge effect on oil prices and are not producing as much oil as they are capable of producing.
Let’s assume we drill in Alaska and off the coasts and we wave the Republican magic wand and are able to bring tons of barrels of oil on the market instantly. Who’s to say OPEC won’t reduce their production to keep oil prices the same?
June 30th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Plymouth Dem — good comments… except that states only control out about 1 mile from their coast. Then it’s completely federal waters…
Vern, the ignorance of your comment is about what I’d expect from a dip named Vern.
Mr. Martin, you should stop drinking from the same pond as Mr. Martindale.
June 30th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
So let’s sum up Democrats’ energy plan.
Done.
June 30th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Actually I was being sarcastic. The Democrats’ actual plan is to not get more of the product we need (oil) and instead raise taxes on the people who make it (oil companies). Great idea! Let’s apply it to other parts of the economy.
I’m sick of expensive milk. Let’s raise taxes on dairy farmers.
I’m outraged about paying $1.50 for a bottle of pop in a vending machine. Let’s raise taxes on companies that operate vending machines.
I’m tired of paying $70+ per month for cable. Let’s raise taxes on Comcast.
Feel free to add your great ideas as well. What else can we raise taxes on to lower its cost?
June 30th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
The facts hurt sometimes don’t they Chestnut?
June 30th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Facts, Mr. Martin? What facts? Certainly nothing you’ve offered here. You offer some interesting speculation (ooooo you’re an evil speculator!!!), but nothing even resembling fact.
June 30th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Since when is a profit margin of 10% considered a “windfall”. This is a substandard margin for any company, but of course people like Kathy only can parrot the lies that they have been fed.
The stupid things that come out of liberal mouths continue to amaze me.
June 30th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
“No effects from drilling for at least 10 yrs.” Hi MDE, I`m a pre-teen and i have a problem. My parents say that I have to go high school and college and then maybe 8 more yrs of med-school to be the doctor that I`ve always wanted to be. But that means at least 16 more yrs before i recieve any pay-off from my hard work, and it`s going to cost a lot of money! So can i use the Dems logic and say “forget it, it`s going to take too long? I really don`t look foreward to all that work. Or should i just stay home and help the Dems tackle some the big issues of the day, like helping them keep fried foods out of their convention? Please help!
June 30th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
jbob:
Your parents either have you home schooled or you go to a private school. There is no way on Earth that a public education can produce such a brilliant comment that adult democrats especially like the Democrats in Congress or want to be Congress members fail to understand.
I look forward to your future brilliant posts here.
Walter Hanson
Minneapolis, MN
July 1st, 2008 at 9:33 am
Chestnut,
Again you dodge any attempt at recognizing reason.
I’ll ask you the question again and try to talk a little slower then.
If we added oil production in the US by drilling in Alaska, why couldn’t OPEC chose to reduce production?
No one can guarantee us that oil prices would fall because of increased drilling in Alaska or off Florida.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:37 am
jbob,
Since your reading MDE at such an early age, it’s quite clear you do not possess the mental ability to graduate from med school. Start practicing your camcorder skills, since you will likely be a low-level Republican hack.
July 1st, 2008 at 9:38 am
“If we added oil production in the US by drilling in Alaska, why couldn’t OPEC chose to reduce production?”
Hey dipshit, remember when I made that comment about speculation. That’s the “question” to which I was referring. I believe you were, at that time, calling your speculative question a “fact.”
Here’ let me provide a more snarky answer: What if a frog had wings? Perhaps it wouldn’t bump its ass when it hops.
On a level, you’re right. No one could guarantee that. But you’re also assuming then, that the OPEC nations are willing to see a decrease in volume and market share.
Of course, who needs OPEC to constrict the supply of Oil. Democrats are doing a fine job of that themselves.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:17 am
“On a level, you’re right”
That’s all I needed to hear
There is no guarantee increasing domestic drilling would reduce prices at the pump.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:33 am
Sure, but there is an absolute guarantee that doing nothing — the Democrat’s approach — will ensure that prices stay high and/or increase.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:57 am
The Democrat’s approach is to invest heavily in alternative energy, primarily produced in our own backyard. Oil is a finite resource and with demand likely to only increase in the future, our standard of living is at stake if we continue reliance on it in the future.
Democrats are not interested in making sure oil companies continue to have money to burn in their fireplaces, as the Republicans apparently do.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Exxon/Mobil made a $40 BILLION profit last year. That is more than Wal*Mart cleared. Makes me wonder how much in Income Taxes EM paid. Probably very little with all the Tax Breaks and Subsidies they get from Bush and Company.
Talk about welfare!!!
July 1st, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Kathy,
You’re ignorance is appalling. E/M paid much more in taxes than it’s profits were. You get more ridiculous with every passing month. Dumb as hell.
Martin:
“The Democrat’s approach is to invest heavily in alternative energy, primarily produced in our own backyard.”
None of which makes a dent in our energy needs now nor will it in the next 50 years. The only alternative energy that will make a difference is the alternative energy Democrats won’t allow — Nuclear. Wind and Solar aren’t shit.
Nothing Democrats propose will do a damned thing about our energy issues. Nothing.
“Democrats are not interested in making sure oil companies continue to have money to burn in their fireplaces”
Democrats also aren’t very intersted in making sure the PEOPLE can heat their homes, either.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Well Chestnut actually it will make a dent in it, if we activly start investing more into it, instead of tax breaks for oil companies. I can’t speak for solar, but wind isn’t “shit”, if it wasn’t why would major companies be investing millions into it? Heck, even Governor Pawlenty supports it! I could be wrong, but I think I even saw a windmill in McCain’s recent ad!
Wind power will definitely play a role in the future and if Minnesota plays it’s card right we have much to gain from it.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Yeah, so long as Democrats have mouths, wind will definitely play a role in the future. There’s nothing but wind coming from those morons.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:55 pm
So are calling Governor Pawlenty and Senator McCain morons? I thought you were a Republican?
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:44 pm
[...] Minnesota DFL and 2nd CD DFL candidate Steve Sarvi had a press conference on Monday to complain about high gas prices. I’m a very fortunate blogger, because a dedicated reader of Minnesota Democrats Exposed [...]
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:19 am
Hey, I’ll call T-PAw and McCain morons. Or at the very least Sell-outs for the Green vote. Go to the U.S. Dept of energy web site. Look up wind. Two major stats: Average wind generator produces usable energy 25% of the time, Peak demand rarely coincides with wind output.
Wind is nothing but very expensive unpredictable supplemental energy at best that requires a complete redundant energy source. These are indisputable statistical facts. Solar is worse.
Kathy, stop talking about profits. You’re embarrassing yourself. Find someone who actually knows how publicly traded business works and get educated. 35Billion on 30billion outstanding shares is windfall? 35Billion on 350Billion investment is windfall? Commodity trading? Speculation? Volatility? Heard of any of this before? According to you just about every successful company is in the windfall profit category. Hell, the last company I worked for if we couldn’t see a 25% profit minimum we didn’t even conceder it. 33% was always the target. Stop repeating what you hear from dumbasses and educate yourself.
July 14th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I would like to form a group that would be able to reach others like myself in order to complain about the high price of gasoline. It is not only the price at the pump but also everything in the market - food, clothing, school supplies, everything we need for daily living. Anyone care to join me?