Clinton: Gas crunch not 'abstract problem'
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Hillary Clinton continues to push for a summer holiday from the federal gas tax, despite criticism of the plan by many economic and energy specialists as meaningless and possibly counterproductive.
Campaigning here in western Indiana tonight, Clinton told supporters that she believes in her plan because people need immediate "relief" from record gas prices.
"This is not some abstract problem," she said at Terre Haute South Vigo High School. "This is a real-life challenge. And if we don't do something to take this on, I think we're breaking faith with people who expect their federal government to actually help them."
Citing the federal government's willingness to step in and rescue the investment bank Bear Stearns earlier this year, she asked, "How about doing a little bit to bail out Main Street and middle-class families?"
Clinton also said a gas-tax holiday, which she says she would pay for by imposing new taxes on oil companies, would at least be a step toward holding the oil industry accountable for the high prices and a step toward a longer-term energy solution. (Some say it would be the opposite, by encouraging people to consume more gas.)
"The sooner we begin to create the political coalition that will stand up against the oil companies," she said, "the better off we'll be to have a transition from where we are today to where we need to be."
Though still several hundred strong, Clinton's crowd tonight was unusually thin, particularly for an area of the state where she's expected to do well. Neither the bleachers nor the standing section on the gym floor were close to full.
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This is why I won't vote for Clinton. Despite this policy clearly being the wrong way to deal with big oil companies and bring down gas prices she still won't admit being wrong. Either she is hoping to score some extra votes are is completely ignorant. I'd much rather have a president who deals with the reality of situations instead of trying to create a false
And before Clinton supporters go shouting about the reality of Rev. Wright I'd like to put some slight perspective on this. The world isn't black and white like the media try to show it. Despite the horrible and divisive comments Wright continues to make, he has done more good for people than you and I combined probably. I'd also rather have a president that sees the good and not only the bad in people.
I agree. Not only is Clinton's plan bad fiscal policy, not only would it be politically impossible to achieve, but even ignoring those two facts, it also would fail to accomplish its desired goal of lowering gas prices. Tax the oil companies instead of the oil buyers, and guess what? The result is the same. It's not like the oil executives are going to pay this tax out of their pockets. The consumer will pay it out of theirs, just like we do now.
And ultimately, one must ask the question: why would someone who wants to promote a cleaner environment, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and promote renewable energy, want to enact a policy that does the exact opposite?
This is beyond pandering, because it should be obvious to everyone that it's a stupid idea.
This is what happens when journalism becomes gossipism a la enquire. American's media is getting worst and worst by the day to the like of third world dictatorial countries. And to know that these so called anchors or journalists have the gift of free speech and still manage to say and publish crap like that with no sense of judgement. Come November we are gone have someone in the white house who is not gone to take care of business and our unpatriotic subjective media will have a lot to do with it.
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