Oil giants' charm offensive as US politicians threaten action

[WhiteTara]

bribery and graft...the only plays in their book.
http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article362444.ece
The oil industry is to channel millions of dollars to US Congressional election campaigns this year as part of a desperate plan to squash calls for a windfall tax on their record profits.

Industry giants including Exxon Mobil, BP and ChevronTexaco have faced huge criticism with petrol prices soaring past $3 a gallon. They fear political pressures will intensify as November's mid-term elections loom.

Executives have also been trying to get their message directly to the public, saying pump prices reflect a global oil price that is out of their control.

The industry has spent an estimated $20m (£11m) this year on media adverts, and Exxon's chief executive, Rex Tillerson, took the extraordinary step last week of appearing on NBC's breakfast-time Today programme to defend the sector.

He said Exxon and others were using the proceeds of $70 oil to boost refining capacity and launch new exploration projects. But he was unapologetic about his company's $8bn profit for the first quarter - more than $1,000 per second.

PROFITS AT $1000 PER SECOND!!!!!

[yngliberal]

1. Bastards...

Mr Tillerson said: "We work for the shareholders, and the investors who own our stock are over two million Americans. Our job is to go out and make the most money for those people so their pensions are secure so that they see the benefits of our work. We're in the business to make money."

[sutz12]

2. Well, if the oil companies would send me a $100 check

maybe I would think they are sincere. :)

[spindrifter]

3. Lettuce was $2.19 a head at the store today--

So those m-f'ers can do all the charming they want--I am voting against them.

[goforit]

4. We need a complete clean slate! Nationalize OIL and vote for new

Congress......Senate and House!

They are all bad!

[ninkasi]

5. "Charm offensive" is a term the MSM once used for Dubya

For the oil giants, and Dubya, I understand the "offensive", but fail completely to see the "charm." With all of their tax breaks, and subsidies, they expect us to feel any sympathy for them?

[ny_liberal]

6. threaten action????

almost funny

[NeoConsSuck]

7. Two thoughts here:

1) why do I have to read a *British* news release to find this out?

2) so the CEO of Exxon is saying there is nothing wrong with burdening 200 Americans so 2 million stockholders can prosper? That is the story of capitalism.

I'm shocked that this story hasn't appeared in any American MSM. :sarcasm: