There was nothing more self destructive in 2024 than an oilfield hand in a voting booth.
Yeah you.
Trump is literally conspiring with Russia and Saudi Arabia to put you out of business and/or take away your paycheck. He's doing that next week. He's not only doing that, he's saying he's doing that. Listen to him. He's happy as fuck about it.
Trump wanted to help the Oil & Gas industry by eliminating regulations. Deregulation is without effect these days. You can't buy an inefficient compressor or save money by specifying a pump that leaks. Manufacturers no longer make inefficient compressors or pumps that leak. If you've been in the patch for any length of time you're totally good with safety regulations. If Trump eliminates some OSHA stuff tomorrow, will your operator or company man require any less of you safety wise? Fuck no. If you have employees will you require less of them safety wise? Fuck no. Absofuckinglutely no.
You'll continue doing all that stuff the right way if Trump dumps some regulation. Question is, will you keep getting paid for it.
If you have a chemical or oil or water leak you clean it up, not because of regulations, but because you know it needs cleaned up. Also the adjoining farmer will sue you into bankruptcy if you don't. It's not political. The farmer voted for Trump just like you did. Trump is financially destroying both of you, but get ready for this, Trump's own Presidential History indicates he'll help the farmer. He won't make the farmer whole in any sense -- I mean he's a dick -- but he'll do something.
Just not for you.
I'm not talking about Trump's crew putting you through a few bad months. I'm talking about folks in your industry including entire communities, losing houses and vehicles and people. I'm recently retired from the patch after 44 years. I've seen pretty bad slumps but none like the one Trump shows every intention of ushering in.
The Republican Party has changed. They're not going to change back or even become mildly competent anytime soon. Stop fucking voting for them.