US Democrats ask oil firms to donate some profits

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N27470235.htm

WASHINGTON, Oct 27 (Reuters) - With Americans facing soaring heating fuel costs this winter, Democratic senators on Thursday asked the big oil companies to donate some of their record profits to help low-income families pay their utility bills.

U.S. oil companies' profits during the first nine months of this year are up more than 35 percent from last year. Exxon Mobil <XOM.N> reported it earned $9.9 billion in the third quarter alone.

The Democrats asked Exxon and other major oil companies to be "good corporate citizens" and contribute 10 percent of their profits to fuel assistance programs that help poor families and the elderly cover their heating costs. Republicans have blocked attempts to boost funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to around $5 billion, up from the $2.2 billion it spent last year.

"American families need economic relief from high energy prices," the lawmakers said in a letter to each of the companies.

[Hobarticus]

1. Impressive...just keep it up

Long ways 'til '06.

[katty]

2. great-put those greedy bastards on the spot

[marmar]

3. I like this barrage of ideas and activity from the Dems....

Maybe they had all this planned.

:kick: