Is it time for the government to take over the oil companies?

Question

I know I know republicans it is a socialist idea but it is getting that bad. How about just some of the profits and show some real trickle down.

Answer 1

Why, the oil companies took over the government in 2000, who do you think has been running things. Bush? Please ... he is a figure head.

Answer 2

Everyone is angry about the price of gas at the pump....

But just ask yourself.....do you like the way the IRS is run? How the US Postal Service operates? And yes, I know it is now a quasi government department but it is still regulated by the US government. And perhaps you are too young to remember the oil embargo of the mid 1970's. Under President Carter (a Democrat) millions of barrels of oil were placed in underground caverns for use in the event of a national emergency (ie...the complete embargo of oil from all OPEC - Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) ....primarily for military and national defense needs. At the height of the embargo when gas prices reached around 75 cents a gallon (remember...we were paying only 25 cent/gal prior to the embargo) President Carter authorized the printing of ration coupons for US citizens and the prospect of using the oil placed underground for a national emergency. Unfortunately, the government printed millions of gasoline ration coupons....all in black & white. Gee, only later did they realize that the coupons could be copied on the existing Xerox machines making them worthless...and very expensive to print. So, considering these examples...I'm not a big fan of the government taking control of the oil companies. Do changes need to be made, agreed. I only wish I had the answer, if anyone had the answer.

Answer 3

Boy are we hypocritical! So, when the price of something rises we just take it over and possiblly dish it out at a cut rate, I missed that concept in economics class! I love the commercial for BP where the people in close-up ask, "what are you doing, BP", what are you doing to make it cleaner, safer, cheaper, more sustainable"? Nothing, its not there job to do anything of those things. It's OUR JOB! It's not the sugar producers job to find a sugar substitute, or the clothing manufacturer to make indistructible clothes. Or the bean grower and canner to make a gas free bean! Here's a concept, free martket and individual responsibility. We're hooked to gas and hooked on a car society. We come home, jump on the treadmill and run 3 miles but then we get in the car and drive 3 blocks to get a diet soda at the corner store. We use plastic (a petrolium product) like theres no tomorrow. Trickle down a movie actor making 20 million a flick (probably 10x my life earnings) and charging me $8.50 at the box office. Trickle down a pint of water for $1.50. For water! But we can say no or pass up all these things, but we can't seem to do the same to gas?

Answer 4

If anybody really cared about the price of gas they would quit driving their cars. Yes, I am talking about a nationwide strike. Just tell the George Bush and the rest of his goons that they suck. Stay home until the price goes down to a dollar a gallon. However it won't happen here in the U.S. because we Americans have little balls, not at all like the French.

Answer 5

The oil companies have so much pull in our government, that it would never happen. Oil companies have been making some of the highest profits in history, and they are still receiving huge government subsidies.

Answer 6

If you want gas to be $7 a gallon overnight, let the government take control of the oil companies. The price will be high, we'll run out in a week, and they'll start giving it to the poor for free and charge all of us to give it to them.

No, spank you very much...

Answer 7

The government will never take over the Oil Companies. They are getting huge amounts of revenue from them. Why bother while they're getting money?

Answer 8

If it becomes a big problem then most likely the government will crack down. It depends on the administration though. I doubt they will be taken over. Just too many questions and possible problems.

Answer 9

Please no... As much as I despise the unfathomable profits these companies are making while charging insane prices per gallon of gasoline. And as much as I hate hearing about them defending their profits and saying that they aren't price gouging, I think it would only be worse in the government's hands.

Answer 10

Canada did at one time under its National Energy Program. It wasn't very well run and bureaucracy began to run amok. Its shares in the national program have since been sold, and we are now beholden again to the oligarchy.