[clue-talk] oil...

[Angelo Bertolli]

Collins Richey wrote:
> On Fri, Oct 31, 2008 at 10:46 PM, Angelo Bertolli <angelo at freeshell.org> wrote:
>   
>>  why should we
>> hand over the resource that we own to companies that are privately owned?
>>  At least without some kind of guarantee that we will get something back out
>> of it.  And I'm totally on board with an answer like, "the government should
>> work a deal and get a stake in the arrangement."
>>
>>     
>
> We do get something out of it. The companies PAY for the right to
> lease the resources. With our high corporate taxes (ever wonder why
> more and more companies are moving off shore?), we also get fantastic
> amounts of cash handed over to the government to finance all those
> well-loved socialist programs. And please don't tell me you think the
> government should run the show. There's the old adage/truth: If you
> put the US government in charge of Saudi Arabia, within a few months
> there would be a shortage of sand. Private companies can always do it
> more efficiently.
>   
But.. but... in your opinion/world, wouldn't the case be that we would 
be allowing the drilling without the taxes, or without having to pay for 
the lease?  You're right, I will concede that in the end it would be 
better to give it than to simply let it sit there.  But I'm not 
convinced that it's better than other options like say... letting the 
military control it so that we have at least some advantage ... but I 
guess it all hinges on my "incorrect" view that oil is limited.

Angelo