How does the BP oil leak in the gulf relate to government spending? Well, if you ask the White House they don't. However, after reading this article the Federal Government is currently stopping a possible solution that would cap the oil leak due to fears that the solution could make the problem worse. Meaning, that if this new cap is placed on the leak and closed off, the pressure that is caused by the new cap could cause another, more hard to contain leak.
This sounds familiar. Back when the financial problems started to happen in this country, the solution was not to cut back on spending (like all America had to do), the federal government said, "No, lets not stop the bleeding of tax money because if we stop spending that might make the problem worse." So they spent more money, tons of money. On the one hand the government claims to want the leak to stop, and yet after days of maneuvering the new cap in place, nothing is said until they are ready to close it off - then the government has concerns. The oil is leaking like crazy, efforts to stop the leak should not be hindered by politicians who know nothing about oil wells or oil containment.
Similarly, if the government wants to fix our financial problems, get out the way, stop the spending and then spend the next few years cleaning up the mess. If BP never caps the well, the oil will continue to leak. If the government doesn't stop spending then the financial problems will only get worse. In both cases the governments wants to the problem to continue to bleed. Maybe you can tell me why that might be?
I have no idea whether the government's idea is good or bad, but it's rather evident (if you go to alternative news sources) that the only thing BP is interesting in stopping is bad press about BP that could hurt their profits/stock price. The only cleanup BP is interested in is cleaning up their image. The government - from local law enforcement to the US Coast Guard - has been an eager accomplice or paid flunky to BP's efforts to hide the extent of the spill from the American people. For those of you who really care, I recommend this article that exposes the extent of the problem graphically.
ReplyDeleteI think they are both suspect. I have read several stories that both parties have done their fair share of slowing things down. I looked at your article and the accompanying pictures. The whole thing has been terrible. But what would make this a tragedy is if people think that this one even is a reflection on the entire oil industry.
ReplyDeletePeople should see the response that Chevron has given to the oil spill that happened these last two months or so here in Salt Lake City. Sure, accidents do happen. They happen in all industries all day long. But not all companies behave the way BP and the White House has with this event. There is something must more political/sinister a foot with this.
Resident Obama is a democratic socialist, of course there is something sinister in his motives.
ReplyDeleteYou are right that we should not tar the entire industry (pun intended) with the BP brush. The fact of the matter is that accidents will happen, and as with any activity in which there is a potential for catastrophic accidents, those involved need to take adequate precautions and be prepared for the worst. Unfortunately in the world of fossil fuel extraction, precautions cost money and preparing a full-on response before the accident costs money as well. One cannot expect a large corporation to spend millions of dollars on precautionary measures unless they know that their liability in the event of an accident far outweighs the costs involved. With a government run by and for corporate interests, the BP's of the world know that they need not fear the worst. If they screw up, the government will not make them pay the full cost of cleanup, will limit their liability for loss of life and property, and will actively participate in covering up the extent of their malfeasance. If this had happened to Chevron, or Exxon, or Shell, or under a Republican administration, the reaction would have been the same.
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
ReplyDelete