Obama Proposes $1,000 Energy Rebates

Democrat Calls For Windfall Profits Tax On Oil Industry To Finance Consumer Rebates

(CBS/AP)  Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Friday called for a $1,000 "emergency" rebate to consumers to offset soaring energy costs amid fresh signs of a struggling economy with the nation's unemployment rate climbing to a four-year high.

Obama told a town-hall meeting the rebate would be financed with a windfall profits tax on the oil industry.

"This rebate will be enough to offset the increased cost of gas for a working family over the next four months," Obama said in the crucial swing state of Florida.

Obama had earlier said the rebates should be part of a larger tax relief package. But now he says the slumping economy demands they be put in place immediately.

Obama's remarks coincide with news that the unemployment rate climbed to a four-year high of 5.7 percent in July as employers cut 51,000 jobs, dashing the hopes of an influx of young people looking for summer work. Payroll cuts weren't as deep as the 72,000 predicted by economists, however. And, job losses for both May and June were smaller than previously reported.

July's reductions marked the seventh straight month where employers eliminated jobs. The economy has lost a total of 463,000 jobs so far this year.

"We can either choose a new direction for our economy, or we can keep doing what we've been doing," Obama said.

During his speech, Obama was interrupted by three men who stood up with a banner asking, "What about the black community, Obama?" Many in the crowd began chanting, "Yes, we can," the Obama campaign mantra to counter the criticism.

Obama told the three that they would have a chance to ask questions after he had his opportunity to speak. A town-hall organizer later took the banner from the three.

During a question and answer session, Obama called on one of the hecklers, reports CBS News' Michelle Levi.

The man mentioned a slew of controversial issues, such as the government's response to Hurricane Katrina and the subprime mortgage crisis and asked, "In the face of all these attacks that are clearly being made on the African community, why is it that you have not had the ability to not one time speak to the interests and even speak on the behalf of the oppressed and exploited African community or Black community in this country?"

"I think you are misinformed about when you say, 'not one time,'" Obama responded. "Every issue you've spoken about, I actually did speak out about."

The Illinois senator then went on to address the man's concerns, mentioning that he was a civil rights lawyer and saying, "I may not have spoken out the way you would have wanted me to speak out, which is fine."

[wellhell3]

Obscamma once again scams you! Where''s he going to get the money for this rebate? CHINA?

The windfall tax, he''s already promised to at least six or eight other places! This is a total FARCE!

Such a tax plan as he presents will NEVER make it out of committee because they won''t be able to find the money for it!!!!

[wellhell3]

By the time the country accommodated all of Obscamma''s tax cut, tax deduction, universal health care scam, the country would be flat broke by January 31, 2009!

[minnick8-2009]

Oh good! Let''s all vote for Obama so we can have $1000. Maybe we could get it in time for Christmas.

[broncfan1661]

Why don''t you all vote for me for President. I absolutely promise to give everybody a $10,000 rebate.
It''s so easy to make campaign promises when you know they don''t stand a snowball''s chance in hell of passing through the Washington roadblock.
If he is elected you will not hear another word about it.

[aldon61]

I''m for Obama, but this isn''t one of his better ideas; Rowdy, we agree again.

[briannorwood]

"July''s reductions marked the seventh straight month where employers eliminated jobs. The economy has lost a total of 463,000 jobs so far this year. "

Yer doin'' a heckuva job Georgie!

[whitemale08]

I think Obama''s rebate plan is brilliant.

Like a "Jedi Knight" he goes after the evil oil companies and demands that they hand over those "tax cuts for the rich" that Bush gave them and refunds the "working stiff".

[primilioneah]

The four months are for allowing the Democrats enough time to seal off all the domestic oil wells, brilliant! Is this not the same idea that Obama laughed at when it was proposed by Clintonista?

[likeitis5050]

And so it begins....actually this is excellent timing on his part...plenty of time to see his true agenda at work in plenty of time before the election...GO OBAMA!!!

[skyk-2009]

A windfall profits tax on oil companies will directly be passed through and paid for by increasing the price of gas at the pump.

The rebate to the consumer, will be paid for by higher prices paid by the consumer.

Obama is an idiot.

Posted by MCVet- at 11:52 AM : Aug 01, 2008

Psss!! The Tax is ON PROFITS!! Did you actually get out of the SECOND GRADE?? LOL If the OIL Companies increase the price of Gas that will INCREASE their profits which will increase the amount of tax which will increase the Rebate. Now even a Bush Cultist can see that this is something that can and will help American''s afford the cost increases... it is NOT a mental thing like the Drill garbage.

[peterp111]

MCVET said : " Its established. Obama is a moron.
A windfall profits tax on oil companies will directly be passed through and paid for by increasing the price of gas at the pump.
The rebate to the consumer, will be paid for by higher prices paid by the consumer.
Obama is an idiot"


AMEN BROTHER!

[ossifier]

Good to see Obama taking the high road and talking about issues that effect me and the rest of the American public. Ignore the vicious hate spewed by the republican machine and there misguided, brainwashed foot-soldiers. Americans want to hear about issues not hate.

[skyk-2009]

Wow, talk about buying the vote!

Posted by sincityq at 12:12 PM : Aug 01, 2008

How''s that? The Oil Company''s aren''t going to do the right thing... they aren''t going to lower the cost so their profits are reasonable and the people get a reasonable price at the pumps! What is your solution.. Giving them MORE tax breaks??

[johna1969]

This is just another classic example that Obama truly has no idea what he is talking about. He is such an elitist. He has No clue what it is like to pay bills every month. When is the last time he went to a gas station to fuel up his own vehicle? The windfall tax will not work. It didn''t work for Carter it won''t work for Obama. Again...... more of the same.... where is all this "change" he keeps referring to?

[peterp111]

"Yes we Can" ....Change our country, our minds, our constitution, our values, our morals, our ammendments, our sense of right and wrong," Shall I go on?

[skyk-2009]

A windfall profits tax on oil companies will directly be passed through and paid for by increasing the price of gas at the pump.
The rebate to the consumer, will be paid for by higher prices paid by the consumer.
Obama is an idiot"


AMEN BROTHER!

Posted by Peterp111 at 12:17 PM : Aug 01, 2008

You didn''t get past the SECOND grade either?? ROFLMAO Now IF you tax PROFITS and they increase their profits to pay for the tax that would increase their tax wouldn''t it?? You know most High Schools have night class''s for folks who didn''t get past the 6th grade. IF Oil Companies cared they wouldn''t have those profits.. they obviously do not want reasonable profits but want to rape us while they can. This would help level that a bit.

[skyk-2009]

Good to see Obama taking the high road and talking about issues that effect me and the rest of the American public. Ignore the vicious hate spewed by the republican machine and there misguided, brainwashed foot-soldiers. Americans want to hear about issues not hate.

Posted by ossifier at 12:17 PM : Aug 01, 2008

You are so very right!! Regardless of IF you like the plan or not, it is honest relief and isn''t based on some implied help out there in the future somewhere like the drilling idea of McSame''s.

[peterp111]

OBAMA is fool, and anyone who believes in "CHANGE- YES WE CAN" - slogan is a fool too. I don''''t want this country to change, I think America is wonderful. It''''s time to CHANGE the viewpoint that Obama knows what he talking about- HE DOES NOT.

[skyk-2009]

This is just another classic example that Obama truly has no idea what he is talking about. He is such an elitist. He has No clue what it is like to pay bills every month. When is the last time he went to a gas station to fuel up his own vehicle? The windfall tax will not work. It didn''''t work for Carter it won''''t work for Obama. Again...... more of the same.... where is all this "change" he keeps referring to?

Posted by johna1969 at 12:21 PM : Aug 01, 2008

This IS NOT what Carter proposed AND it is the best Idea I''ve heard from anyone involved in a long time.

[skyk-2009]

OBAMA is fool, and anyone who believes in "CHANGE- YES WE CAN" - slogan is a fool too. I don''''''''t want this country to change, I think America is wonderful. It''''''''s time to CHANGE the viewpoint that Obama knows what he talking about- HE DOES NOT.

Posted by Peterp111 at 12:27 PM : Aug 01, 2008

Have you poor simple minded people ever thought about were this nation would be IF people like Obama had NOT come along and changed the Nation. Change is NECESSARY and is part of LIFE. Sure it may work fine for you but the rest of us absolutely hate the way the nation is and the direction the Republican''s have taken it. It''s called DEMOCRACY!!

[bigwhtpony]

A real socialist at work. Take from the Eeeeeeeevil oil companies and give to the masses. The gov''t already taxes oil profits to the tune of like 50%.....not enough for you socialists, though....is it?

[bigwhtpony]

Obama = big eared Jimmy Carter replica
Posted by MCVet- at 12:25 PM : Aug 01, 2008

That''s right....ever hear the saying, ''corporations don''t pay taxes''? They DON''T....they pass them on to the consumer in th form of higher prices.

Too bad the gov''t run schools have dumbed down the population to the point where too many don''t understand this.

[obama8years]

Promise the Kitchen Sink Obama...

Obama is desparate, John Boy has come up in the polls so fast Obama campaign is in desperation.

Gallup Tracking 07/28 - 07/30 2679 RV 45 44 Obama +1.0
Rasmussen Tracking 07/29 - 07/31 3000 LV 47 46 Obama 1.0

[mcvet-1]

A real socialist at work. Take from the Eeeeeeeevil oil companies and give to the masses. The gov''''t already taxes oil profits to the tune of like 50%.....not enough for you socialists, though....is it?

Posted by bigwhtpony at 12:32 PM : Aug 01, 2008

Why is it Fascist NEVER have a solution and can only call those who do "Socialist"? Old Joe would be proud of you!! Sieg Heil McCarthy!!

[obama8years]

REV WRIGHT

BIll AYERS

FARAKAHN

REZKO

ISM

and

NOW

LUDICRIS ............. does Obama have any NON-RADICAL FRIENDS

[valentin73]

Don''t let Obama''s charm, personality, popularity, intelligence...fool you.
This is another prime example of what a politician will do to swindle your vote.

[obama8years]

IS OBAMA A SOCIALIST OR A MARXIST?

I keep hearing Both. How can that Be.

BECAUSE HE IS "BOTH WAYS BARACK"

[mcvet-1]

Obama is desparate, John Boy has come up in the polls so fast Obama campaign is in desperation.

Gallup Tracking 07/28 - 07/30 2679 RV 45 44 Obama +1.0
Rasmussen Tracking 07/29 - 07/31 3000 LV 47 46 Obama 1.0

Posted by Obama8years at 12:35 PM : Aug 01, 2008

Uh Huh? You let us know how this goes for you! ROFLMAO Mud Slinging only works when you have a message Sparky!! ROFLMAO SIEG HEIL McSAME!!

[obama8years]

IF THIS DOESNT HAVE MARIXIST WRITTEN ALL OVER IT I DONT KNOW WHAT DOES. CAN YOU IMAGINE THE GOVERMENT TELLING A BUSINESS TO GIVE BACK THE MONEY THEY EARNED.

ONLY IN CUBA FOLKS.

[mcvet-1]

Ignore the impostor MCVet-1, who is a vietnam draft dodger who lies about his service.

+ report abuse

Posted by MCVet- at 12:37 PM : Aug 01, 2008

LOL Right!! SIEG HEIL McSame!!

[obama8years]

OBAMA has Proven Once and For All to the AMerican People is that he is a Marxist. He had 20 years of Brain Washing from Rev WRight and Now wants to still money from a business. Good Luck ruining our economy Obama.

11. Dictate to Americans that they should be ashamed for using 25% of the world''s energy while only having 3% of the population and that A/C thermostats in should be set at higher than 72 degrees.

12. Give up America''s sovereignty for the "good of the world" and to save the planet from "global warming" by supporting new treaties on international boundaries, not drilling in ANWR or offshore, but standing by while Castro plans to drill off the Florida coast.

13. Campaigning on a message of "change", because it sounds good.


The list can go on and on, as Castro and Obama share many principles for the formula for a failed state, but one in which the party of the "new poor" remains in power through the growth of government. As this party provides more and more entitlements for its citizens and big government prevails, the country becomes less and less productive. Eventually, America''s economy is no better off than Cuba''s. Therefore, Fidel, go ahead and send Obama that box of Cohibas, for he is a Marxist just like you.

[ioweign]

IF THIS DOESNT HAVE MARIXIST WRITTEN ALL OVER IT I DONT KNOW WHAT DOES. CAN YOU IMAGINE THE GOVERMENT TELLING A BUSINESS TO GIVE BACK THE MONEY THEY EARNED.

ONLY IN CUBA FOLKS.

Posted by Obama8years at 12:38 PM : Aug 01, 2008

Wow - Hugo was career military and John was career military.

Next

Only in the USA Folks...

[obama8years]

OBAMA IS A MARXIST

7. Convince the public, that America is perceived as evil, thus, hated by the rest of the world.

8. Abandon America''s principle of helping the world rid itself of dictatorships, thus, put our weapons down, throw our arms up, and retreat in shame from Iraq.

9. Support dictatorships throughout the world and elevate them to be recognized by the US as worthy leaders that need to be heard without preconditions - legitimize them

10. Grow the support base by expanding the lowest income class in the country by increasing and broadening entitlements; however, add to that the importation of poverty into the United States by giving Amnesty to well over 20 million illegal aliens in the country. Furthermore, promote this policy in order to attract even more illegal immigration prior to the granting of the amnesty in order to achieve the highest number of "new, uneducated, government-dependent poor class", I call the "new poor".

[mcvet-1]

IF THIS DOESNT HAVE MARIXIST WRITTEN ALL OVER IT I DONT KNOW WHAT DOES. CAN YOU IMAGINE THE GOVERMENT TELLING A BUSINESS TO GIVE BACK THE MONEY THEY EARNED.

ONLY IN CUBA FOLKS.

Posted by Obama8years at 12:38 PM : Aug 01, 200

ROFLMAO You can always tell when a Fascist gets desperate! They roll the same tired old trash out they rolled out against the Roosevelts, Teddy and Franklin, Wilson, Truman, Kennedy... The problem for them is once the PEOPLE see them for what they are they rarely see power for a long time... a very long time. Sieg Heil McSame

[obama8years]

Obama is a modern-day Marxist.


Castro and Obama share many of the same values and principles for the country''s economy:

1. Redistribute the country''s wealth - Marxism 101

2. Grow the size of the government - Create new departments dedicated to supporting Item 1

3. Blame greedy American corporations for the pains of the US and the rest of the world

4 Increase taxes on those already paying the largest percentage and total amount. The top 1% already pay 39% of all taxes.

5 Nationalize healthcare

6 Campaign on a principle based on appealing to the lower income 50% of the US to despise the rich and convince 45% of the other half that their life is miserable so that once convinced of their doom and gloom, they will support the doomsayer and will want bigger government

7. Convince the public, that America is perceived as evil, thus, hated by the rest of the world.

[obama8years]

Obama is desparate, John Boy has come up in the polls so fast Obama campaign is in desperation.

Gallup Tracking 07/28 - 07/30 2679 RV 45 44 Obama +1.0
Rasmussen Tracking 07/29 - 07/31 3000 LV 47 46 Obama 1.0

Posted by Obama8years at 12:35 PM : Aug 01, 2008

Uh Huh? You let us know how this goes for you! ROFLMAO Mud Slinging only works when you have a message Sparky!! ROFLMAO SIEG HEIL McSAME!!
----------------------------------------------
Historically Republicans are down in polls in the Summer but not this time. LOL

[drivelphobe]

Windfall tax is a nickname for penalty for success and good fortune. No business should have to fear this type of unexpected punishment.

Why would this candidate suggest this action other than to undermine the drive, ambition, dedication and investment of corporations and small business owners.

This would result in more lay-offs, less investment and increased moves offshore.

What good does a $1,000 do for anyone anyway? Isn''t this a form of tax reduction for the citizens that the dems are against when the gop wants to keep the tax cuts? If Obama thinks this is a good idea, why not keep taxes low or lower them even more?

Pander pander pander.

[DaveGress]

commonsence1 - tricks? Since when is speaking the truth a trick? Does it mean that anything that takes some thought to process has got to be a trick to you?

Hide and watch. The Republicans can''t help themselves. They will try to make you ''fear'' Obama. Just like they try to do every elevtion, invoke fear. Hopefully, there are people that are smarter than you that will vote and not be intimidated and fearful.

Let me try it. Here''s something to fear. More Bush-like policy''s that drive this country into the ground. McCain doesn''t even have the guts to say when he can get us out of Iraq. The reason is he doesn''t know and doesn''t care.

[bigwhtpony]

Maybe Ubama can use his rebate to catch up on the soaring price of arugula!!!! What a f-ing moron!!! LOL

[bigwhtpony]

Only in the USA Folks...
Posted by IOWEIGN at 12:41 PM : Aug 01, 2008

only a candyassed lib would compare someone in the US military with someone from a socialist country. I can tell you did real well on the analogy part of the SAT. Must be tough lugging that gigantic brain around, huh Napoleon!?

[horse3farm]

LOL If the OIL Companies increase the price of Gas that will INCREASE their profits which will increase the amount of tax which will increase the Rebate.

posted by skyk

The rebate is for a set amount: 1,000. His plan calls for a ONE TIME emergency rebate. Not an ongoing thing. Obama, of course, is an idiot elitist. You, on the other hand, understand math quite well...it''s your people skills that suck.

[Syndicate]

Typical Liberal. He wants to tax the oil company to pay for a rebate when all we have to do is drill. If you start drilling gas prices will fall. Look at what happened when Bush removed the executive ban. Oil fell $10 a barrel. Congress needs to stop playing games with the average American''s wallet and start drilling.

[grandesign]

Its a global economy. The UN treaty only gives authority to a nation to control territorial waters 12 nautical miles off its own coast. With commodity prices this high, there is nothing to stop Mexicos PEMEX from drilling 12.1 miles off California and Florida. Obama cant stop that. However, Obamas policies can force Americans to drive across the border to Tiajuana to fill up their gas tanks.
Posted by MCVet- at 12:42 PM : Aug 01, 2008

There is nothing more vainglorious than some hack, like yourself, imitating someone of greater stature and good conscience, to provide a contrarian point of view. MCVet is well known and accepted, that your words are definately not his. So as the interloper dejur, why don''t you get lost. A person of character you are not, and like MCVet-1, you stink of conservative lies.

[bretster7]

Come on now ObamaBots.
Does this not illustrate the absolute ignorance and stupidity of this empty suit. Much like his solution of how we are to deal with $4 a gallon gasoline:"Inflate your tires and get your car tuned up" what a complete idiot

[DaveGress]

I wonder if the whiners and naysayers here said the same things during the Bush stimuless package? Misspelling intended.

[ariel133]

America has a lot of lefty pitchers in our network news outlets, we wonder why. Each of these liberal news outlets distorted the FACT that Obama DID play the race card yesterday. And it wasn''t the first time Obama has played the race card. In Berlin last week in front of 200,000 hysterical European Socialist elite admirers Obama said .."I know I don''''t look like other Americans and presidents that have been here before". Yesterday at several campaign events Obama told his fans that "I know I don''''t look like all the other presidents on the dollar bill..". So what was Obama referring to in both situations if he wasn''t talking about race? Did he mean that he wasn''t wearing a wig like the rest of the presidents on our money? Or was he talking about his skin color? OF COURSE Obama played the race card not once but several times and McCain called him on it as he should have. LOOK if network news executives and the anchors of NBC, CBS, and ABC feel like they can''''t provide the American people the straight facts then you need to RESIGN. All of you who put your ideology and party before that of being an American and journalist should resign today so that the intent of our Founding Fathers, a free independent press that is free from political parties and influence, can be RESTORED. And who can forget another Obama race moment when describing his mother or grandmother........"oh she''s a typicial white person".

[boboman55]

If Obama is Elected I''ll be able to afford a Nice diamond so I can get Married, Obama will probably allow African Diamonds to pour into our markets.
Imagine buying a 1 Caret for $19.95 and getting two if you buy today.

[taus007-2009]

GREAT PROPOSAL! We have nothing to show for the BILLIONS of tax-dollar subsidies that Big Oil%u2019s GOP congressional cronies have dolled out to them--except more pain at the pump! We want a REFUND of our tax-dollar subsidies. I don%u2019t care if they call it a %u201Cwindfall profit tax%u201D but we want a REFUND. The Oil Companies haven%u2019t used the subsidies for R&D of alternative fuels, only for padding their profits and their wallets.
The Oil Companies raked in record profits AGAIN this quarter--they got the biggest chunk of all our tax rebates, and they%u2019ve wasted much of it to lobby Congress for more drilling. THEY%u2019RE CROOKS! Even billionaire oil-man, T. Boone Pickens, knows we can''t drill our way out of an oil addiction. And, why should American taxpayers support more drilling by American Companies, on American territory, as long as American Oil Companies continue to charge Americans for gasoline, based World Market prices--for our American Oil? That''s unpatriotic!

[grandesign]

Much like his solution of how we are to deal with $4 a gallon gasoline:"Inflate your tires and get your car tuned up" what a complete idiot
Posted by bretster7 at 01:12 PM : Aug 01, 2008

It needs to be $5 dollar a gallon, moving to $6 and $7. The is economics not politics. Supply and Demand are only trumped in two ways: 1)Manipulation of the market; 2)Technological advancement.

Gasoline has a free-rider effect in our society. It''s price does not contain the costs that are involved with the increased pollution and all the side-effects that cause health disabilities--or massive clean-up. Each car should be gauged for the amount of pollution it creates, and be assessed a $2+ charge collected monthly for the by-products of not just the use of the gasoline by the car, but the creation of gas at the refinery. This would put the equity back in our society for using more clean-energy fuels, and provide the economic stimulus necessary for making the right changes going foward.

[grandesign]

All of you who put your ideology and party before that of being an American and journalist should resign today so that the intent of our Founding Fathers, a free independent press that is free from political parties and influence, can be RESTORED. And who can forget another Obama race moment when describing his mother or grandmother........"oh she''''s a typicial white person".
Posted by Ariel133 at 01:15 PM : Aug 01, 2008

So what''s your point? That blacks shouldn''t participate in politics because there is the possiblity of someone noticing it? During Kennedy''s day, Irish shouldn''t participate; or Catholics shouldn''t. Or some othe obvious stereotype. Simple minds obsess on these differences.