Obama proposes $1,000 energy rebates for consumers

[defendandprotect]

Source: AP

Obama proposes $1,000 energy rebates for consumers By MIKE GLOVER, Associated Press Writer
22 minutes ago



ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Friday called for a $1,000 "emergency" rebate to consumers to offset soaring energy costs amid fresh signs of a struggling economy with the nation's unemployment rate climbing to a four-year high.

Obama told a town-hall meeting the rebate would be financed with a windfall profits tax on the oil industry.

"This rebate will be enough to offset the increased cost of gas for a working family over the next four months," Obama said in the crucial swing state of Florida.

Obama had earlier said the rebates should be part of a larger tax relief package. But now he says the slumping economy demands they be put in place immediately.

Obama's remarks coincide with news that the unemployment rate climbed to a four-year high of 5.7 percent in July as employers cut 51,000 jobs, dashing the hopes of an influx of young people looking for summer work. Payroll cuts weren't as deep as the 72,000 predicted by economists, however. And, job losses for both May and June were smaller than previously reported.

July's reductions marked the seventh straight month where employers eliminated jobs. The economy has lost a total of 463,00 jobs so far this year.

"We can either choose a new direction for our economy, or we can keep doing what we've been doing," Obama said.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/obama

[peace13]

1. Oh God.

How about a work program, or meals and shelter for homeless. Haven't we tried this before, like last week when my $1200 check from China finally arrived in my mailbox.

[truebrit71]

3. So you think that taxing the oil companies to put money back in the pockets of the people being...

...screwed over is a bad thing???

I must confess I am confused by your stance...?

[peace13]

4. I am saying that doling out money in mass mailings is expensive and not effective.

Tax the oil companies? How about mandating that they return stolen profits to customers. In which case I can tell you that my family is owed more than $1000. If money comes from the oil companies, which I would not hold my breath on, I would use it to make the energy problem better for the good of the order not pass out trick or treat dollar bills.

[truebrit71]

9. Obama said he would fund the rebate from a windfall tax on the Big Oil rapists...

...

[defendandprotect]

10. Winfall profits --- and then NATIONALIZE the oil industry ---

follow up with electric cars ---

[4dsc]

2. Bad plan

Its sad that neither candidate has a plan for America and the rising cost of energy.. If they faced up to the fact that the era of cheap oil is OVER and INFORMED the American people as such, we could get this country moving in the right direction..

[Pale Blue Dot]

5. Great. Let's borrow more money for a temporary fix.

:eyes:

[fjc]

13. Where did you see the word "borrow"?

[Hope And Change]

6. K & R!

[ozone_man]

7. That sounds like a solid energy plan.

:sarcasm:

[lumberjack_jeff]

8. Better yet, use the windfall profits tax to build 'big f**king things'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v616xq8RaLM

[Merlot]

11. Oh no, not another rebate. I'm very dissapointed.

I agree on a windfall profits tax, but all that money needs to be put into infrastructure. A $1000 rebate doesn't even come close to how much additional money I've spent on gas, and I drive an economic car and don't commute.

We need an energy plan, not another "fix." We need new green industry, regulation of energy prices, alternative energy. We need education, becasue people who think that offshore drilling will solve this problem REALLY don't understand the issue.

[JMackT]

12. More tax on the oil companys...

will only raise the cost of gas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is fucking stupid

[radfringe]

14. more tax or not on oil companies doesn't matter

they just hike the prices or manipulate the markets to line their pockets

the only thing more taxes will do is provide the oil companies with a convienent excuse to hike the prices. if we didn't raise the taxes, they would just find some other excuse like the cat had kittens

[depakid]

24. There are ways around that problem

[Xenotime]

15. No it isn't. The more they make the more we can get back..

It's a great idea.

[tidy_bowl]

16. It didn't work the last time and won't now. nt

[Rebellious Republican]

21. I will tell you whats fucking stupid, fucking stupid is just letting big

oil continue to fucking rape the fucking shit out of us and fucking doing absolutely fucking nothing fucking about it! Thats whats fucking stupid, tax the fucking dog shit out of the fucking bastards. Tell the fucking CEO's to take a fucking pay cut and give up the fucking fat bonus's, and when the fucking board members are no longer able make a fucking profit then give them their fucking subsidies and fucking tax breaks. But when I see fucking record high fucking profits being fucking posted right along side record high fucking high prices at the fucking pumps I Say FUCK'EM.

If you really want to know my fucking feelings about oil companies here is a little salute to them..

[lynne]

17. What do we do after the $1,000. is gone? n/t

[daleo]

18. That's a lot of money

$1000 X 200,000,0000 = 200 billion (assuming about 2/3 of citizens would be eligible)

Oil companies will fight it tooth and nail, if an oil profits windfall tax is the basis of the revenue.

[Dreamer Tatum]

19. Why not just vouchers for fuel?

Easier to implement and control...after all, not everyone drives.

[ElectricGrid]

20. Man Obama all you have to do is stand there and wave.....

to win this thing. Shut the hell up. McCain has to be loving this.

[bemildred]

22. End the national security state.

That would put real money in the people pockets.

[Runcible Spoon]

23. vouchers are such an ineffective, manipulative ploy.

we need FIXES for our aging energy infrastructure and massing restructuring of energy policy, corporate culture, and spending priorities in Washington. Sorry Obama, giving people enough cash to withstand a few months of rising energy costs doesn't do SHIT for the root causes!

I demand real answers from our candidate, not insults to my intelligence.