Government, rich people, little people, and business

[scaeagles]

Apaprently, a bill in Congress is being opposed by democrats, with some calling it a get rich quick scheme for oil companies. The primary focus of the bill is to help relieve the vulnerability of energy supplies by allowing and encouraging construction and expansion of existing refineries and power plants. There are probably some provisions that could be eliminated, such as relaxed environmental regulations, and I think it is possible to eliminate those whether in debate or committee.

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/10/07/D8D3903O1.html

We have not built a new refinery since the 70s. When a hurricane can damage supply and cause 40% jumps in gas prices in a matter of weeks, perhaps we should look at addressing the issue. Helping the rich oil companies? I have no doubt profits for them will be involved, but considering every person in the country is affected by increasing energy prices, with the poor paying a higher percentage of their income for it, I think that argument falls flat. Maybe it's just me.

Then we have this story. Apparently it's OK to look out for an industry where the average salary is well over a million dollars.

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20...0902-5838r.htm

It makes me sick that the government decides it's OK to build a ball park where people own property and then use eminent domain to evict them. I don't think a baseball stadium is of such high national importance that it's OK to kick people off their property. Some government officials are complaining about the owners not negotiating in "good faith". Why the hell should they have to negotiate at all if they don't want to sell? Oh - I forgot...the supreme court says it's OK for government to take the property.

So in conclusion, it's OK to take property from the little guy if it benefits the government and baseball. It's not OK to allow for private industry to build oil refineries and expand their own facilities because they will get too much profit, even though increased refining capacity benefits everyone.