Repubs: "Democrats demonize oil companies"

Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah) has a message for Democrats who want to end tax incentives for major oil companies: don’t hate them because they’re rich.

I guess that's kind of like the old line "don't hate me because I'm beautiful." Except oil companies aren't beautiful.

Bishop said: “Let’s tax the oil companies. What a wonderful nonsequitor!” said Bishop sarcastically during a press conference Thursday. “How are you going to produce more oil by taxing oil companies? How do you actually believe that the tax will not be passed onto consumers?"

What Bishop loses sight of is by cutting oil subsidies - which are a gift - it's not a tax. When oil companies are making record profits, it's clear they can afford to lose US Government subsidies. I say Americans are paying enough at the pump. Why give the oil companies even MORE with our taxes?

Bishop’s remarks marked the introduction of a gas price reduction bill from the Republican Study Committee called the “Consumer Relief for Pain at the Pump Act,” which includes expansion of offshore drilling, opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, setting limits on environmental lawsuits and streamlining the on- and offshore permitting process.

In other words, let's fix the problem by wrecking the environment and limiting how taxpayers can hold oil companies like BP responsible for messes like last year's oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Seriously?

(via Politico)