QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Jun 17, 2010 -> 01:56 PM)
There's a difference because government shouldn't be in the role of telling companies how to go about paying their liabilities (claims) BEFORE they do something to warrant the liability. We all now BP f***ed up and is responsible, but it's not the executive's role to tell them they HAVE to set up a special account just to pay out claims. They should be able to pay out the claims however they see fit. Where does Obama get the right to tell them "set 20 billion aside RIGHT NOW?"
The government should only get involved in that way when BP acts against the law. If they fail to fully compensate people (as determined by our JUDICIAL system) THEN you can fine them. It's government only responding when it HAS to, not because it CAN. You seem to assume that either way, BP is "fined" by the government for 20 billion.
And I get that all Obama is doing is asking for an escrow account, but I think there are better ways to go about this. Pass a legislation that requires they keep X amount of profit available for potential payments. Who knows. There's a million other things they can do than to, yet again, usurp any idea of individual commercial rights and just tell them what to do.
Maybe i'm not explaining it very well. But to me there's a clear difference in the government preemptively demanding this, and waiting until BP shows that it won't do it before levying a fine or some other penalty.
What the hell are you even arguing about? You're upset about this escrow thing??! Why? Is your uncle the CEO?