Why don't the damned oil companies bail out the auto industry?

[PCIntern]

They have untold trillions which they 'earned' from the auto industry. The could do this easily and ensure that their cash cow continues. This is a perpetual-motion machine for the industrialists/oilmen and they need to occasionally grease the wheels.

But no...better you and I should pay for all this....

[Pab Sungenis]

1. Why not a one time windfall profits tax on the oil industry

to fund the auto maker bailout?

[guitar man]

14. ding ding ding!!

That's what it would take to get the oil industry to help the auto industry. We have got to get over the idea that these uber rich assholes are ever going to do the right thing voluntarily, they have had their chance for years and have scored a miserable fail in that regard. Some serious arm twisting is what's needed with these jokers, it's the only way.

[knitter4democracy]

2. Best idea I've seen all day!

It totally makes sense, too.

[codjh9]

3. THAT is a great idea! n/t

[DesertFlower]

4. great idea. nt

[Mike 03]

5. Jesus fucking christ. That's the best idea I've heard so far.

My god...

That is what Einstein would call genius.

[PCIntern]

7. I thank you...

:hi:

[Mike 03]

6. Holy motherfucking jesus, please rec this thread.

What other solution could possibly make more sense?

This is the best solution I've seen so far.

[stopbush]

8. Only 45% of oil products used in the USA are for cars.

55% is used for generating electricity and for diesel and home heating oil.

[PCIntern]

10. "Only 45%" of about 5 trillion dollars...

that's inflation for you...

[stopbush]

12. I'm not talking profits, I'm talking demand.

Does it make sense that so many of our electric plants run on oil when solar and wind are available for free? Hell, the wind eminating from DC oughta do the trick.

My point is that most people think that foreign oil means cars and gasoline when the MAJORITY of US oil consumption has nothing to do with either.

[PCIntern]

15. understood, but my point

is that I don't give a damn what the proportion is. the oil companies have grotesquely overcharged us in many ways for years and need to pay the penalty, which, if you think about it, really isn't a penalty at all, b/c they would be subsidizing that which would continue their success. you could call it an 'investment'...and what could be more American than an 'investment'?

[stopbush]

18. Let the oil companies buy the auto companies. Or does that create a monopoly?

[csziggy]

9. And mandate that the two industries work together on sustainable energy sources n/t

[stopbush]

11. Yes! Fastest way to reduce our dependence on foreign oil - limit

oil products to gasoline as much as possible. Use synthetic lubricants.

Use renewables like solar and wind to power electric plants, natural gas and electric to power homes. Come up with government subsidies to underwrite solar power generation from private homes in the sunbelt states. This would cut our oil consumption by half.

As far as the auto industry - go to hybrids AQAP, diesel for heavy trucks and machinery. Build cars people want, fueled by a mix of electric generated from their home's rooftops and gasoline. A good stopgap until fuel cell technology improves.

[BrklynLiberal]

13. K&R

[robinlynne]

16. and the very first moeny should go straight to guarantee every worker's pension!

[PeaceNikki]

17. Ridiculous idea.

Who would fund this? Would it come out of the execs salaries? Bonuses? Shareholders? Um, no... the consumer. The execs and shareholders won't be foregoing any profit to pay for that.

In addition, we do NOT want big oil with a stake in the auto industry. That will not get us closer to better fuel standards, less emissions and alternative energy.

[PCIntern]

19. You're right...

it makes MUCH MORE SENSE for our children and grandchildren to buy these executives' new Gulfstream jets.

:sarcasm:

[PeaceNikki]

20. Um... again, how would big oil help? They would pass it onto the consumer.

AND they'd have a stake in auto manufacturing. You want that? Wouldn't it make more sense to strong-arm them into better fuel standards? Lower emissions? Alternative energy?

How the hell would big oil "help"?

[PCIntern]

21. They do it anyway...

they would simply write a check, or three.

That would be this year's excuse...then next year they'd find another reason to raise prices a lot and then lower them somewhat.

This is their game...maybe we could take advantage of them for a change.

BTW, this is a hypothetical...it ain't gonna happen.

[PeaceNikki]

22. And it shouldn't happen. It's a terrible idea.

The last think we need is big oil funding auto manufacturing.

[PCIntern]

24. It's not "funding"

it's a charitable contribution.

Don'tcha realize, it's all fixed at the highest levels anyway. You may as well at least keep the jobs here. Waiting for the "revolution" is like washing your feet with your socks on. Big Business will continue to do what it does, irrespective of the 'idealistic' wishes of the People.

[Revlon10]

23. I was thinking the same thing today

Also why do we have to borrow from China why not Exxon?

[shadowknows69]

25. Because Kings and Lords don't help each other unless they have to

That's what us hard workin' peasants are for.

[JVS]

26. Because Big Oil likes their money.