This isn't to say that their aren't reasons for concern from this story. A company that has annual revenue of $371bil can exert a tremendous, possibly unhealthy, amount of influence over policy matters. The short term interests of Exxon not congruent with the long term goals of America in terms of energy strategy.
Similarly, one worries to a degree about the amount of effective subsidization Big Oil gets in terms of governmentally provided security, both in the middle east, and elsewhere. If you think significant tax dollars aren't spent protecting the Trans-Alaska Pipeline...Similarly, foreign policy may insulate companies from foreign competition to a degree. However, it is not entirely clear to me that this drives profits: any increase would almost certainly be passed on to the consumer (which might reduce consumption at the margins.) Additionally, fuel prices are factored in to a huge range of other goods and services: shipping, travel, heating, even groceries all cost more when oil prices are higher.
All I'm saying is that before we run around demanding another Congressional Kabuki dance (and maybe get a replay of the 7
Pastor Jeff has similar thoughts to me, while one of Mark Daniels's commentors explores some of the reasons for concern.
1 comment:
Well, for it to really be "punitive" it's got to sting a bit.
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