Today’s reporting is saying POTUS’ Chief of Staff, Ron Klain, obsesses daily over gas prices. He should! I was shocked, yesterday, when the prices jumped about $0.50/gal (Chgo suburbs) within a couple of days. I was SO shocked, I looked up the global $$/barrel, and while close, we’re not even at recent highs. We all need to say this out loud and to everyone we know; ‘We’re being screwed by the Oil Companies’. And, POTUS is feeling the heat; he should; and the WH should DO Something!
(I also want to practice what I preach, that being that Dems use far too many words, so this post is as short as I can make it. We NEED MORE Brevity in our political discourse!!
Here’s my proposal:
- Identity the simplest Law that grants a subsidy to Oil Companies. There are many, but I believe the one that gives Oil Companies $6B/yr is a good start. (Total US subsidies to OC’s is $20B+, by one estimate, with other studies showing much more.)
- Write a 1pg. Bill REPEALING that tax. DO IT NOW!! (Make it REAL short and simple)
- Schedule a presser for (like-tomorrow) where he announces the proposed bill, and he says he’s scheduled a Saturday Meeting, 1-2wks away for the 5 major OC’s to come to the WH. Given the stock buybacks & record profits of OC’s, POTUS says there’s no reason for US Taxpayers to gift $6B to OC’s (a subsidy written when oil was bumping around $30/barrel). However, he wants to hear their side of it, hence the Sat. meeting. (Meanwhile, POTUS has Schumer schedule the Repeal Bill for a Senate Vote (as you know the Senate takes 2wks minimum, to do anything.) POTUS further states that depending upon the Saturday PowWow, other subsidies will be examined for repeal.
ANY of the Outcomes of the Above are a WIN for POTUS (and hopefully, the American People)
- Sat. mtg happens; OC’s agree to bring down gas prices. Yeah! I’m not counting on this, but it’s possible.
- OC’s give an FU to POTUS, and the Bill proceeds.
- Bill is passed by Senate (and then by House). Gas prices don’t change, but POTUS has tangible proof to the American People he’s fighting back. POTUS also pushes for the repeal of the other subsidies; LOUDLY!
- Bill is blocked by GOP in Senate. DNC IMMEDIATELY unleashes national ads denouncing GOP being ‘bought and paid for by Big Oil’ (note- I do believe the recent Dem talk that the GOP is bgt & pd for by NRA is working) and America’s pain-at-the-pump is ON the GOP. POTUS also pushes for the repeal of the other subsides; LOUDLY!
Please add your comments and improvements. But if you agree, then more importantly, SOMEBODY has to get in to Ron Klain’s ear that it’s NUTS to be paying $6B/yr++ to OC’s while they’re screwing us. ‘Hey Ron! You want Congress in Dem hands in Jan./2023? Get on this!!’
If somebody has a better plan, then let’s hear it, but Ron & POTUS do need an action plan and fast.