Watching BP go through sequential failed attempts to stem the tide of oil gushing from their oil well, I’m reminded of the left’s criticism of good ole BushCo’s involvement with oil barons and their mismanagement of environmental risks. This time around, it’s the right wing criticizing Obama for inaction in a time of crisis. Aside from the obvious contradiction with their usual rallying cry for less government meddling in business, they are oil spot on in this case – the federal government should have immediately pushed BP aside to assess, analyze and reduce the damage caused by the leak.
If the government can’t fix the problem, then another oil company should be paid to try to stem the flow, with a big fat bill handed to BP for all the trouble. After all, when the entire world is complaining about the pollution this is causing, the US will be the target of their ire.
We’re very lucky President Obama gave his big professorial declaration about how safe offshore drilling is right before this leak occurred. This trademark prepping of his ardent followers is Obama’s classic first step in preparing us for another corporatist policy that contradicts everything he promised us before he was elected. Like his faux health reform that will force us to pay for a crappy insurance product while using tax money and higher premiums to pay for health care for everyone the insurance companies don’t want to cover, his plan for offshore drilling as a solution to the energy crisis and global warming is anything but a solution.
At least this time fewer people will be fooled. Perhaps this crude awakening will result in some of the college students that normally lap up Obama’s lectures like gospel to question his intentions the next he announces the basis for his Bush-lite policies.