Big Oil, Alternative Energy and John McCain

The numbers in this video are astounding. They can be verified at the Center for Responsive Politics.

In fairness to Sen. McCain, here is his entire answer to the question about requiring the oil industry to pursue alternative energy resources for context:

MR. HARWOOD: You would not require the oil industry to use its profits to help pursue alternative energy?

SEN. MCCAIN: I would not require them to. But I think that public pressure and a lot of other things, including a national security requirement that we reduce and eliminate our dependence on foreign oil — and we stop the contamination of our atmosphere, which is — and climate change, which is real and is taking place.

I’m of two minds on this, to be honest. It bothers me to think about the companies who are sucking the life blood out of our economy right now getting a second bite at the apple by owning alternative energy technology that we all need. I’d just as soon ban them from the R&D of alternative energy because I’m not interested in having them control my access to it.

On the other hand, it seems as though some of the obscene profits they’re currently raking in should be reinvested here, but NOT by drilling.

What do you think?

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