O’Reilly Takes The Easy Way Out
June 26th, 2008 | by John Kaduk Published in Economics, Oil | 5 Comments
Sometimes I agree with Bill O’Reilly, sometimes I don’t. Normally he his a bit too moderate for me and tries to stay in the middle so hard that he won’t take a stance on issues. Today he decided to take a stance on oil prices and sounded just like every other liberal restating the “blame big oil” democratic party line. Mr. O’Reilly feels the American oil companies are to blame and in his own words are “giving the consumer the middle finger.” I’m so sick of everyone taking the easy way and just blaming the oil companies because they are an easy target. The whole purpose of a business is to stay successful and make profits, it is the same goal for every business and the point of capitalism. Yet because other businesses are hurting and the oil companies are not, they are the bad guys. The reason oil prices are so high in the U.S. is because since 1985 our demand has increased 30% while our domestic production has decreased by 40% due to liberals and environmentalists blocking drilling and refinery building efforts. Supply and demand people. Never mind that today’s methods are so advanced they make barely any impact on the surrounding environment.
Why do so many people in this country want to penalize success and hard work? According to liberals if an oil company delivers for its shareholders they should be penalized and pay “windfall profit taxes.” If I work hard, get into an elite engineering school, pay for it myself, work my ass off and then get a well paying job I should be penalized by paying higher taxes so I can feed someone on welfare too lazy to get a job. If you have paid any attention to liberal attempts at unemployment benefit expansion you’re head should be spinning. Under their plan you could work for a mere two weeks in some states and then collect a year of unemployment while sitting on your ass. America became great because it rewards hard work, dedication, and discipline which leads to success. We don’t reward sitting on your ass. We didn’t get to where we are through a redistribution of wealth like communist and socialist nations either. Capitalism or Communism/Socialism? I thought that debate was settled in this country a while ago.
July 2nd, 2008at 12:03 pm(#)
Let me start off by saying for the past few weeks I have been reading some of your comments. I don’t know how I stumbled across your site but I’m glad I did.
Politically speaking, I don’t know what I would classify myself as … liberal or conservative. But I do know one thing…. I am more of a Republican than anything else. Nothing aggravates me more than those people on Capital Hill who try to tax me for being successfully. I have made something for myself. I have risked and sacrificed many things in my life to gain a greater return. It is unfair for people who are too incompetent, drug addicted, homeless, and jobless to get money from me! Doing so would only be feeding their problems and not fixing them.
Now that you know who I am, I’ll begin my review of your thoughts.
The second half of you argument was very accurate. I believe that Charles Darwin’s idea of Survival of the Fittest definitely applies to the sociology of human life. The people who fight to succeed in this world should be the same people who relish in their successes. Why distribute that success to those who don’t deserve it.
As for the first half of your argument….. you’re an idiot Mr. Kaduk. I am not quite sure if you have ever heard of the term “oligopoly”. If you had, you would understand that word defines the oil industry to a “T.”
It has appeared that the oil companies have banned together. They have collectively raised prices with complete disregard of the impact to the world. As Americans, we are suffering from these increased oil prices. For example, we have been forced to sell our practical family vehicles and forced to purchase cars like the Smart Car and the Prius.
My life has changed due to the increase in gasoline prices. I no longer can take those relaxing drives on Sunday afternoons, I can no longer travel to see friends and family, and I can no longer live my life with the freedom I had two years ago.
The price of gasoline is not the only reason for my frustration. The following goods have increased in price due to the dependency of oil:
Ammonia, Anesthetics, Antihistamines, Artificial limbs, Artificial Turf, Antiseptics, Aspirin, Auto Parts, Awnings, Balloons, Ballpoint pens, Bandages, Beach Umbrellas, Boats, Cameras, Candles, Car Battery Cases, Carpets, Caulking, Combs, Cortisones, Cosmetics, Crayons, Credit Cards, Curtains, Deodorants, Detergents, Dice, Disposable Diapers, Dolls, Dyes, Eye Glasses, Electrical Wiring Insulation, Faucet Washers, Fishing Rods, Fishing Line, Fishing Lures, Food Preservatives, Food Packaging, Garden Hose, Glue, Hair Coloring, Hair Curlers, Hand Lotion, Hearing Aids, Heart Valves, Ink, Insect Repellant, Insecticides, Linoleum, Lip Stick, Milk Jugs, Nail Polish, Oil Filters, Panty Hose, Perfume, Petroleum Jelly, Rubber Cement, Rubbing Alcohol, Shampoo, Shaving Cream, Shoes, Toothpaste, Trash Bags, Upholstery, Vitamin Capsules, Water Pipes, Yarn
There is no way you can tell me that you have not been affected by the increase in price of these goods
I agree that it is the purpose of a business to make profits… no one would argue that. I do disagree with the fact that the oil companies are exploiting citizens of the US, as well as the rest of the world. We have to come to depend on oil in our everyday life just as much as we depend on water to give us life.
Mr O’Reilly is correct to blame the “Big Oil Companies” because it is they who continue to raise their prices as well as their profits. I also blame the government for the past 20-30 for not dumping enough money into “oil-alternative” research programs. It was naïve of the government to think that oil prices would never skyrocket and/or for oil to never run out, considering it is a natural resource.
In conclusion, we should tax oil companies and use that money to fund research programs that will eventually wean us off our oil addiction.
This may not be everyone’s opinion, but this is how I see things….
July 3rd, 2008at 12:11 am(#)
Its all supply and demand. You can’t expect prices to stay low if you don’t allow new drilling and refining.
As far as big oil profits they are in line with other industries especially the financial industry when its not bombing (like now). This is a good article: http://www.fool.com/investing/dividends-income/2008/06/30/the-truth-about-big-oils-windfall-profits.aspx
Thanks for commenting, we should be posting more after the 4th of July weekend.
July 3rd, 2008at 12:13 am(#)
By the way, trust me, I know how much high gas prices suck and can hurt your finances. I have 2 hours of driving back and forth to work everyday. And I have a Trans Am that can only take premium gas.
July 3rd, 2008at 11:45 am(#)
You may have discussed this already but I would like to hear your thoughts on nationalized healthcare or healthcare in general. I have a lot to say about this topic.
July 7th, 2008at 10:20 am(#)
I will try to get to that in the near future.