Barack Obama's first policy retreat?

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Buddha_basic

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#1 Buddha_basic
Member since 2002 • 546 Posts

Keep in mind this is NOT official, but I think we should be aware of it. But the story details Obama possibly withdrawing from innitiating a windfall tax on big oil.

http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2008/12/11132_obama_drops_windfall_profits_tax.html

A windfall tax is a tax put in place that is a higher rate than normal on sudden/unexpected profit gains to a company or industry. I'm just wonderign what everyones thoughts are regardless of who you voted for.

Please though, no "Obama haters 4 life". You know..the ones that dont believe hes native born US citizen. Keep that talk to tea time with your dolls. :)

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-Sun_Tzu-

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#2 -Sun_Tzu-
Member since 2007 • 17384 Posts
Maybe It's just me, but I think it is a great thing that our next president seems to be very open and appears to be encouraging debate and discussion on certain issues.
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Guybrush_3

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#3 Guybrush_3
Member since 2008 • 8308 Posts
Have you seen oil prices lately? It's under $50 a barrel down from nearly $140 a few months ago. The tax would be pointless. At the moment at least.
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nohabs

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#4 nohabs
Member since 2004 • 10797 Posts
A windfall tax is a tax for earnings on income a company did nothing for. The oil companies worked for their income, so that is not a windfall.
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Dalo12345

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#5 Dalo12345
Member since 2007 • 800 Posts

Have you seen oil prices lately? It's under $50 a barrel down from nearly $140 a few months ago. The tax would be pointless. At the moment at least.Guybrush_3

Of course it would be pointless because it wouldn't help lower gas prices anyway... I mean honestly, is there even a point in taxing oil companies more other than "spreading the wealth around"?

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SuperVegeta518

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#6 SuperVegeta518
Member since 2005 • 5960 Posts
It was BS policy anyway. He told the public what they wanted to hear. Sure "big oil" has made some of the highest profits ever seen but remember that they have also seen some of the largest losses. Anyone that has made it as far as Obama should be smart enough to know how economics works and they should be smart enough to know how the economy works. When someone takes a big risk there is generally the possibility of a large profit.
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dmc333

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#7 dmc333
Member since 2002 • 766 Posts

It was BS policy anyway. He told the public what they wanted to hear. Sure "big oil" has made some of the highest profits ever seen but remember that they have also seen some of the largest losses. Anyone that has made it as far as Obama should be smart enough to know how economics works and they should be smart enough to know how the economy works. When someone takes a big risk there is generally the possibility of a large profit.SuperVegeta518

Just admit it. You are a shill. What's scary is that you believe what you are posting.

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ferrari2001

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#8 ferrari2001
Member since 2008 • 17772 Posts
That's not his first policy of his he probably won't be doing.. What about his tax plan.. No way that's going to happen with the even more plans he has in store for the country..
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Manutebecker

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#9 Manutebecker
Member since 2003 • 2583 Posts
Have you seen oil prices lately? It's under $50 a barrel down from nearly $140 a few months ago. The tax would be pointless. At the moment at least.Guybrush_3
/facepalm... This always happens, gas prices will be high, then fall, and everyone will forget about the situation and all the talk will cease, then it will come back, gas is on the rise in Minnesota, I dont know about all you other guys... We need to learn that we need to deal with the situation now, we've been procrastinating a fix on energy since the '60s..
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Manutebecker

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#10 Manutebecker
Member since 2003 • 2583 Posts
That's not his first policy of his he probably won't be doing.. What about his tax plan.. No way that's going to happen with the even more plans he has in store for the country..ferrari2001
It's all ready been delayed 2 and a half years, so to those of you who hate bush tax cuts, there gonna be here till well past the midway mark of obamas (first?) term.
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munu9

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#11 munu9
Member since 2004 • 11109 Posts
You guys should realize, a lot of the times it's impossible for a leader to keep all his promises. Because to make the right decision, you have to know exactly what happens. And if you notice about Barack, a lot of what he says he says confidently but he still leaves a little room to go back on it. Because he knows you can't make a definite decision about something in the future unless you know exactly how things play out till that point. A dangerous leader is one how keeps all his promises regardless of what happens because that could have unforeseen negative effects.
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Hewkii

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#12 Hewkii
Member since 2006 • 26339 Posts
Obligatory Communism post.ferrari2001
again, thank you for posting this, so we may get back to business.
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Manutebecker

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#13 Manutebecker
Member since 2003 • 2583 Posts
You guys should realize, a lot of the times it's impossible for a leader to keep all his promises. Because to make the right decision, you have to know exactly what happens. And if you notice about Barack, a lot of what he says he says confidently but he still leaves a little room to go back on it. Because he knows you can't make a definite decision about something in the future unless you know exactly how things play out till that point. A dangerous leader is one how keeps all his promises regardless of what happens because that could have unforeseen negative effects. munu9
I agree, however going back on his tax plan is really bad on his part, that was one of the biggest things he had going for him and what his followers praised him for, taking away the bush tax cuts, now hes pending that for 2 years at very minimum, IMO we'll never see them
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munu9

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#14 munu9
Member since 2004 • 11109 Posts
[QUOTE="munu9"]You guys should realize, a lot of the times it's impossible for a leader to keep all his promises. Because to make the right decision, you have to know exactly what happens. And if you notice about Barack, a lot of what he says he says confidently but he still leaves a little room to go back on it. Because he knows you can't make a definite decision about something in the future unless you know exactly how things play out till that point. A dangerous leader is one how keeps all his promises regardless of what happens because that could have unforeseen negative effects. Manutebecker
I agree, however going back on his tax plan is really bad on his part, that was one of the biggest things he had going for him and what his followers praised him for, taking away the bush tax cuts, now hes pending that for 2 years at very minimum, IMO we'll never see them

idk, it's still unofficial
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ferrari2001

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#15 ferrari2001
Member since 2008 • 17772 Posts
[QUOTE="ferrari2001"]Obligatory Communism post.Hewkii
again, thank you for posting this, so we may get back to business.

lol communism?? I'm pretty sure I didn't mention communism anywhere in my post do you read first?
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Dalo12345

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#16 Dalo12345
Member since 2007 • 800 Posts

[QUOTE="Hewkii"][QUOTE="ferrari2001"]Obligatory Communism post.ferrari2001
again, thank you for posting this, so we may get back to business.

lol communism?? I'm pretty sure I didn't mention communism anywhere in my post do you read first?

Well it seems, sir, if you say one bad thing about the Messiah you obviously think he's a Muslim communist!

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battlefront23

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#17 battlefront23
Member since 2006 • 12625 Posts
Obama going back on his word? Nuh uh...
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Hewkii

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#18 Hewkii
Member since 2006 • 26339 Posts
[QUOTE="ferrari2001"] lol communism?? I'm pretty sure I didn't mention communism anywhere in my post do you read first?

even more plans he has in store for the country..

reeks of typical "big government!!" bs and backpeddling now won't change the fact.
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ferrari2001

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#19 ferrari2001
Member since 2008 • 17772 Posts

[QUOTE="ferrari2001"][QUOTE="Hewkii"] again, thank you for posting this, so we may get back to business.Dalo12345

lol communism?? I'm pretty sure I didn't mention communism anywhere in my post do you read first?

Well it seems, sir, if you say one bad thing about the Messiah you obviously think he's a Muslim communist!

oh.. Well good... Glad he's doing the thinking for me, I was getting a little scared I might have to have my own opinions.. Man would that suck..
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Hewkii

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#20 Hewkii
Member since 2006 • 26339 Posts
[QUOTE="ferrari2001"] oh.. Well good... Glad he's doing the thinking for me, I was getting a little scared I might have to have my own opinions.. Man would that suck..

and there it is again.
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ferrari2001

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#21 ferrari2001
Member since 2008 • 17772 Posts
[QUOTE="Hewkii"][QUOTE="ferrari2001"] lol communism?? I'm pretty sure I didn't mention communism anywhere in my post do you read first?

even more plans he has in store for the country..

reeks of typical "big government!!" bs and backpeddling now won't change the fact.

hmm I'm pretty sure I was trying to explain that his plan involve spending of a lot of money, including giving money to the state governors, and bailouts, and health care, and those plans will not allow him to lower taxes unless he wants to drive us further in debt..
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Hewkii

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#22 Hewkii
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[QUOTE="ferrari2001"] hmm I'm pretty sure I was trying to explain that his plan involve spending of a lot of money, including giving money to the state governors, and bailouts, and health care, and those plans will not allow him to lower taxes unless he wants to drive us further in debt..

good thing you mentioned that as much as you did about Communism...
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quiglythegreat

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#23 quiglythegreat
Member since 2006 • 16886 Posts
I see what you're getting at, but then I also believe that had oil prices stayed as high as they were, he'd be going through with it. still, you may have a point. I'm really not positive about Obama, as I always grow cautious of anything I think is terrific. Chances are though, he actually is as terrific as people say he is. I've seen nothing at all to suggest otherwise thusfar.
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Dalo12345

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#24 Dalo12345
Member since 2007 • 800 Posts

I see what you're getting at, but then I also believe that had oil prices stayed as high as they were, he'd be going through with it. still, you may have a point. I'm really not positive about Obama, as I always grow cautious of anything I think is terrific. Chances are though, he actually is as terrific as people say he is. I've seen nothing at all to suggest otherwise thusfar.quiglythegreat

Besides the fact that the Constitution seems to be of little importance to him.

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ferrari2001

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#25 ferrari2001
Member since 2008 • 17772 Posts
[QUOTE="Hewkii"][QUOTE="ferrari2001"] hmm I'm pretty sure I was trying to explain that his plan involve spending of a lot of money, including giving money to the state governors, and bailouts, and health care, and those plans will not allow him to lower taxes unless he wants to drive us further in debt..

good thing you mentioned that as much as you did about Communism...

Sure I may share libertarian views but In no way do I think Obama is turning us into a communist government I'm pretty sure Bill Gates will still get paid more than a Janitor, Just going off what your precious liberal news reports here.. Any blind person can see that Either Obama will Raise taxes, or he will lower them but not proceed with any of his plans.
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quiglythegreat

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#26 quiglythegreat
Member since 2006 • 16886 Posts

[QUOTE="quiglythegreat"]I see what you're getting at, but then I also believe that had oil prices stayed as high as they were, he'd be going through with it. still, you may have a point. I'm really not positive about Obama, as I always grow cautious of anything I think is terrific. Chances are though, he actually is as terrific as people say he is. I've seen nothing at all to suggest otherwise thusfar.Dalo12345

Besides the fact that the Constitution seems to be of little importance to him.

What are you talking about? He taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago and has repeatedly attacked George Bush's fairly open attacks on said document. Is there any particular measure of his that is contrary to the constitution that you have in mind?
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quiglythegreat

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#27 quiglythegreat
Member since 2006 • 16886 Posts
[QUOTE="ferrari2001"][QUOTE="Hewkii"][QUOTE="ferrari2001"] hmm I'm pretty sure I was trying to explain that his plan involve spending of a lot of money, including giving money to the state governors, and bailouts, and health care, and those plans will not allow him to lower taxes unless he wants to drive us further in debt..

good thing you mentioned that as much as you did about Communism...

Sure I may share libertarian views but In no way do I think Obama is turning us into a communist government I'm pretty sure Bill Gates will still get paid more than a Janitor, Just going off what your precious liberal news reports here.. Any blind person can see that Either Obama will Raise taxes, or he will lower them but not proceed with any of his plans.

Well, considering the reality of America's financial system, which do you think is a better solution?
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Guybrush_3

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#28 Guybrush_3
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[QUOTE="Guybrush_3"]Have you seen oil prices lately? It's under $50 a barrel down from nearly $140 a few months ago. The tax would be pointless. At the moment at least.Manutebecker
/facepalm... This always happens, gas prices will be high, then fall, and everyone will forget about the situation and all the talk will cease, then it will come back, gas is on the rise in Minnesota, I dont know about all you other guys... We need to learn that we need to deal with the situation now, we've been procrastinating a fix on energy since the '60s..

yeah but usually the rise fall cycle of gas prices falls within reasonable profit gains. How often does what just happened with gas prices happen? And how are gas prices rising in MN? the price of oil is still falling cosistantly.

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Dalo12345

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#29 Dalo12345
Member since 2007 • 800 Posts
[QUOTE="Dalo12345"]

[QUOTE="quiglythegreat"]I see what you're getting at, but then I also believe that had oil prices stayed as high as they were, he'd be going through with it. still, you may have a point. I'm really not positive about Obama, as I always grow cautious of anything I think is terrific. Chances are though, he actually is as terrific as people say he is. I've seen nothing at all to suggest otherwise thusfar.quiglythegreat

Besides the fact that the Constitution seems to be of little importance to him.

What are you talking about? He taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago and has repeatedly attacked George Bush's fairly open attacks on said document. Is there any particular measure of his that is contrary to the constitution that you have in mind?

Critical of Bush? Empty rhetoric.

I never heard him say he wanted to repeal the Patriot Act.

I never heard him say he wanted to repeal No Child Left Behind.

He does not support immediate withdrawal from Iraq (an undeclared war, mind you).

Need I go on?

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dmc333

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#30 dmc333
Member since 2002 • 766 Posts

[QUOTE="Manutebecker"][QUOTE="Guybrush_3"]Have you seen oil prices lately? It's under $50 a barrel down from nearly $140 a few months ago. The tax would be pointless. At the moment at least.Guybrush_3

/facepalm... This always happens, gas prices will be high, then fall, and everyone will forget about the situation and all the talk will cease, then it will come back, gas is on the rise in Minnesota, I dont know about all you other guys... We need to learn that we need to deal with the situation now, we've been procrastinating a fix on energy since the '60s..

yeah but usually the rise fall cycle of gas prices falls within reasonable profit gains. How often does what just happened with gas prices happen? And how are gas prices rising in MN? the price of oil is still falling cosistantly.

Strong dollar has a bit to do with low gas prices. As with most commodities like gold.

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-TheSecondSign-

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#31 -TheSecondSign-
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Gas is like, a dollar and a half here.
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Dalo12345

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#32 Dalo12345
Member since 2007 • 800 Posts
[QUOTE="Guybrush_3"]

[QUOTE="Manutebecker"] /facepalm... This always happens, gas prices will be high, then fall, and everyone will forget about the situation and all the talk will cease, then it will come back, gas is on the rise in Minnesota, I dont know about all you other guys... We need to learn that we need to deal with the situation now, we've been procrastinating a fix on energy since the '60s..dmc333

yeah but usually the rise fall cycle of gas prices falls within reasonable profit gains. How often does what just happened with gas prices happen? And how are gas prices rising in MN? the price of oil is still falling cosistantly.

Strong dollar has a bit to do with low gas prices. As with most commodities like gold.

What? We haven't been on the gold standard since 1971.

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dmc333

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#33 dmc333
Member since 2002 • 766 Posts
[QUOTE="dmc333"][QUOTE="Guybrush_3"]

yeah but usually the rise fall cycle of gas prices falls within reasonable profit gains. How often does what just happened with gas prices happen? And how are gas prices rising in MN? the price of oil is still falling cosistantly.

Dalo12345

Strong dollar has a bit to do with low gas prices. As with most commodities like gold.

What? We haven't been on the gold standard since 1971.

When the dollar goes up. Gold goes down as do other commodities. Gold almost went down to $600 due to foreigners buying american assets. I'm not talking about what the dollar is being backed by.

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quiglythegreat

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#34 quiglythegreat
Member since 2006 • 16886 Posts
[QUOTE="quiglythegreat"][QUOTE="Dalo12345"]

Besides the fact that the Constitution seems to be of little importance to him.

Dalo12345

What are you talking about? He taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago and has repeatedly attacked George Bush's fairly open attacks on said document. Is there any particular measure of his that is contrary to the constitution that you have in mind?

Critical of Bush? Empty rhetoric.

I never heard him say he wanted to repeal the Patriot Act.

I never heard him say he wanted to repeal No Child Left Behind.

He does not support immediate withdrawal from Iraq (an undeclared war, mind you).

Need I go on?

He voted for the Patriot Act after it had been gutted of all the privacy business. What's bad about the Patriot Act if its violations of privacy have been removed? He seems ok with No Child Left Behind, but only if the emphasis is taken away from standardized tests, which pretty much makes it an entirely new piece of legislation, and in any event, it's not at all against the Constitution in the first place. The Iraq war was never against our Constitution, though it probably violated at the outset various international laws. The illegality of its continuation according to only the American Constitution would be a case very difficult to argue. Anyway, Barack Obama still proposes to get out within 18 months I think? that's sooner than what others might've done, and probably about as soon as is possible (hell, doesn't it take some of their supplies longer than that to even get to the country?). I think Barack Obama just prefers to not say "I am rejecting this". It's called compromise. He's not getting the presidency and saying 'this is stupid, we're getting rid of it', he's saying 'this could be better, let's change it'. Now, it's semantics, obviously, because he effectively does not support No Child Left Behind or the Patriot Act or the war in Iraq if he seeks to fundamentally alter them or end them, but he tries to go about it in as friendly a way as possible. that's politics, and in this case, I see nothing hypocritical or even misleading about it. The statement 'let's compromise' is no less true than 'I disagree', it's just more effective.
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deactivated-59d151f079814

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#35 deactivated-59d151f079814
Member since 2003 • 47239 Posts
Guys the man hasn't even hit office.. Give it a rest.