Trump administration memo calls for ending Michelle Obama's girls education program

[Flopper]

Could have spent those MILLIONS spent overseas here....they didn't.

The money the US spends on foreign aid is actually very small - something like 1/10 of a percent of the overall budget.

Foreign aid is one of the best investments of tax payer.

Foreign aid is designed to keep us out of war and have influence on other countries. This program does neither.

How do you know it doesnt? Too many years people won't take the long view.

Right, I can see it now. "Iran, you better quit building nukes, or we will withdraw our Let Girls Learn money."

The only reason I can think of for this is: vindictiveness and pettiness. It wasn't controversial, it had considerable private financial support. It targeted serious issues for girls in developing countries such as girls being forced into child marriages and having to leave school. Good grief. Is the Trump Ego so fragile it can't let a good program continue as "Let Girls Learn"?

Trump memo outlines end to Michelle Obama's girls education program - CNNPolitics.com

The Trump administration is discontinuing a signature girls education initiative championed by former first lady Michelle Obama, according to officials.

The "Let Girls Learn" program, which she and President Barack Obama started in 2015 to facilitate educational opportunities for adolescent girls in developing countries, will cease operation immediately, according to an internal document obtained by CNN.

While aspects of the initiative's programming will continue, employees have been told to stop using the "Let Girls Learn" name and were told that, as a program unto itself, "Let Girls Learn" was ending.
"Moving forward, we will not continue to use the 'Let Girls Learn' brand or maintain a stand-alone program," read an email sent to Peace Corps employees this week by the agency's acting director Sheila Crowley.

" 'Let Girls Learn' provided a platform to showcase Peace Corps' strength in community development, shining a bright light on the work of our Volunteers all over the world," Crowley wrote. "We are so proud of what 'Let Girls Learn' accomplished and we have all of you to thank for this success."​

but...then...

Hours after CNN reported on an internal document advising administration employees that the education initiative would not be maintained, the White House said the program had not changed.
"There have been no changes to the program," said Kelly Love, a White House spokeswoman, referring to the "Let Girls Learn" initiative, which Obama launched in 2015.​

so what is going on?

Tina Tchen, who served as Obama's chief of staff during her time in the White House, said the end of "Let Girls Learn" was a disappointment given a global recognition that educating young women could help improve conditions across developing nations.

"We felt it was important to have a branded campaign that drew attention to those issues, and we found that when we did it, we had extraordinary support," Tchen said. "I think it's unfortunate to not continue with the branded campaign. We think that this is an issue that has bipartisan support, it's really not a Republican or Democratic issue."

Tchen said the benefits of the program, which drew upon private sector support as well as government dollars, outweighed the costs. She noted that a development program launched by President George W. Bush to combat global HIV/AIDS, PEPFAR, had been maintained and expanded by the Obama administration.

...In October of last year, the Obama administration attempted to reinforce "Let Girls Learn" ahead of a new administration. The White House announced $5 million in private sector commitments toward the programs administered under the "Let Girls Learn" banner, bringing the total financial pledges to more than $1 billion for programs in 50 countries.​

It doesn't matter if the program is good or bad. If Obama created, it has to be reversed. This is American politics, one step forward and two steps back. Expect the next Democratic president to do the same thing.

The Obama administration kept many of Bush's initiatives such as his HIV/AIDS program. As Bush did with Clinton.

There wasn't this personal vendetta to destroy it solely because it was Obama who started it.

Trump has been picking fights with celebrates, CEO's, journalists, and politicians most of his life because he loves a good fight and he wants attention. There is no reason to think a little thing like the presidency will change that. Almost everything he does is meant to be provocative. It keeps him at center stage whether it's cancelling an Obama program for young girls or expressing how honored he would be to meet with North Korea's dictator. Like a 4 year old, he craves attention and if he doesn't get it, his actions become more provocative.

 

[theHawk]

The only reason I can think of for this is: vindictiveness and pettiness. It wasn't controversial, it had considerable private financial support. It targeted serious issues for girls in developing countries such as girls being forced into child marriages and having to leave school. Good grief. Is the Trump Ego so fragile it can't let a good program continue as "Let Girls Learn"?

Trump memo outlines end to Michelle Obama's girls education program - CNNPolitics.com

The Trump administration is discontinuing a signature girls education initiative championed by former first lady Michelle Obama, according to officials.

The "Let Girls Learn" program, which she and President Barack Obama started in 2015 to facilitate educational opportunities for adolescent girls in developing countries, will cease operation immediately, according to an internal document obtained by CNN.

While aspects of the initiative's programming will continue, employees have been told to stop using the "Let Girls Learn" name and were told that, as a program unto itself, "Let Girls Learn" was ending.
"Moving forward, we will not continue to use the 'Let Girls Learn' brand or maintain a stand-alone program," read an email sent to Peace Corps employees this week by the agency's acting director Sheila Crowley.

" 'Let Girls Learn' provided a platform to showcase Peace Corps' strength in community development, shining a bright light on the work of our Volunteers all over the world," Crowley wrote. "We are so proud of what 'Let Girls Learn' accomplished and we have all of you to thank for this success."​

but...then...

Hours after CNN reported on an internal document advising administration employees that the education initiative would not be maintained, the White House said the program had not changed.
"There have been no changes to the program," said Kelly Love, a White House spokeswoman, referring to the "Let Girls Learn" initiative, which Obama launched in 2015.​

so what is going on?

Tina Tchen, who served as Obama's chief of staff during her time in the White House, said the end of "Let Girls Learn" was a disappointment given a global recognition that educating young women could help improve conditions across developing nations.

"We felt it was important to have a branded campaign that drew attention to those issues, and we found that when we did it, we had extraordinary support," Tchen said. "I think it's unfortunate to not continue with the branded campaign. We think that this is an issue that has bipartisan support, it's really not a Republican or Democratic issue."

Tchen said the benefits of the program, which drew upon private sector support as well as government dollars, outweighed the costs. She noted that a development program launched by President George W. Bush to combat global HIV/AIDS, PEPFAR, had been maintained and expanded by the Obama administration.

...In October of last year, the Obama administration attempted to reinforce "Let Girls Learn" ahead of a new administration. The White House announced $5 million in private sector commitments toward the programs administered under the "Let Girls Learn" banner, bringing the total financial pledges to more than $1 billion for programs in 50 countries.​

The best thing we can do for girls in third world countries is drive back Islam. Otherwise we have no business spending taxpayer dollars for any type of education in other countries.

Except Islam isn't the problem in many of those countries where girls are forced into child marriages and out of school. The most recent program is in Liberia.

So for you it's a vote for war over education?

Islam is a problem in every country.

Voting and war have nothing to do with the topic. I'm for not wasting taxpayer money on foreigners. It sounds like a totally bogus PR stunt to begin with anyway.

 

[RealDave]

Some feedback on this...

Trump Axes Michelle Obama's Let Girls Learn Program, Twitter Goes Ballistic

“Donald can’t get anything accomplished so he tears down everyone else’s accomplishments like a grade school bully,” one commenter wrote.

“Will be replaced by Melania Trump’s, ‘Marry For Money’ program,” joked another.

And another pointed out that unlike the former first lady’s involvement in initiatives for healthier school lunches — which has also been targeted for elimination by the new administration — this program has gotten much less attention: “I bet everyone outraged by the Let Girls Learn news never even knew it existed…”

They tried healthier lunch programs, and what they found is that kids were throwing away good food or otherwise not eating until they left school and make it to Burger King.

Republican parenting at its best.

Ray to kid: Eat your green beans.
Ray's kid: No
Ray: OK have a dough nut instead.

Government :Eat your green beans.
Student: I hate green beans! I have chocolate bars in my locker!
Government: then throw your green beans away like everybody else; it's taxpayers money so don't worry about it.

This is sofa king stupid. Who knew that prior to Michelle Obama's efforts, kids always ate every vegetable.

 

[RealDave]

If they could, RWNJs would stop the education of US girls. Why? Because it's Michelle Obama. If this was Melania teaching Porn For Fun And Profit, the RWNJs would be lining up to applaud it.


Sent from my iPad using USMessageBoard.com

Better to fund bombs then education.

Funny how Obama could fund education overseas but not help education here....very interesting!

Funny. If it were true.

7 Education Initiatives Led by Michelle Obama - The Edvocate

Could have spent those MILLIONS spent overseas here....they didn't.

The money the US spends on foreign aid is actually very small - something like 1/10 of a percent of the overall budget.

I got a question for you 2 whiny leftists----->do either of you actually pay taxes to the federal government? Don't lie; and if you say you do, we won't believe it anyway!

You people are PATHETIC, you really are. Any lefty cause whatever it is, needs funding. And any time a Republican goes to defund something, it is racist, sexist, etc.

Why don't you two stellar examples of toilet paper, tell the rest of us where to cut the budget. Go ahead, and it can't be defense because that is the one thing the government is supposed to do. I know, how about FARM SUBSIDIES! OK, tell your Democrats to demand it. Go ahead! You lead!

I know, how about we lower S.S.! Again, Democrats lead, show us your gonads! Show us you are NOT afraid! When we say.......lets stop ILLEGAL immigration to cut down on our outlays, you scream!

So go ahead, tell us what to cut. We already want to get rid of Obysmalcare. Got anything else you want to add to it?

The ACA reduced the deficit. SS does not add to the deficit. \

I guess that makes you the right wing Trumpette moron we all know you go be.

How about we start by ending subsidies to Big Oil. How about we end corporate welfare?

We had a balanced budget & Republicans ended it.

 

[BluesLegend]

You libs feel free to fund it out of your own pockets, we'll not hold our breath for that to happen. What part of American First don't you understand?

 

[Ray From Cleveland]

If they could, RWNJs would stop the education of US girls. Why? Because it's Michelle Obama. If this was Melania teaching Porn For Fun And Profit, the RWNJs would be lining up to applaud it.


Sent from my iPad using USMessageBoard.com

Funny how Obama could fund education overseas but not help education here....very interesting!

Funny. If it were true.

7 Education Initiatives Led by Michelle Obama - The Edvocate

Could have spent those MILLIONS spent overseas here....they didn't.

The money the US spends on foreign aid is actually very small - something like 1/10 of a percent of the overall budget.

I got a question for you 2 whiny leftists----->do either of you actually pay taxes to the federal government? Don't lie; and if you say you do, we won't believe it anyway!

You people are PATHETIC, you really are. Any lefty cause whatever it is, needs funding. And any time a Republican goes to defund something, it is racist, sexist, etc.

Why don't you two stellar examples of toilet paper, tell the rest of us where to cut the budget. Go ahead, and it can't be defense because that is the one thing the government is supposed to do. I know, how about FARM SUBSIDIES! OK, tell your Democrats to demand it. Go ahead! You lead!

I know, how about we lower S.S.! Again, Democrats lead, show us your gonads! Show us you are NOT afraid! When we say.......lets stop ILLEGAL immigration to cut down on our outlays, you scream!

So go ahead, tell us what to cut. We already want to get rid of Obysmalcare. Got anything else you want to add to it?

The ACA reduced the deficit. SS does not add to the deficit. \

I guess that makes you the right wing Trumpette moron we all know you go be.

How about we start by ending subsidies to Big Oil. How about we end corporate welfare?

We had a balanced budget & Republicans ended it.

We had a balanced budget and Republicans ended it? Who do you think wrote that balanced budget anyway?

You want to end subsides for big oil? Fine with us, because here is how those subsidies are used:

Oil Company Tax Breaks?

Both leading Democratic candidates have referred to tax breaks to oil companies:

Clinton, July 23, 2007: First of all, I have proposed a strategic energy fund that I would fund by taking away the tax break for the oil companies, which have gotten much greater under Bush and Cheney.

Obama, June 22, 2007: In the face of furious lobbying, Congress brushed aside incentives for the production of more renewable fuels in favor of more tax breaks for the oil and gas companies.

Both candidates are referring to H.R. 6, the 2005 energy bill that contained $14.3 billion in subsidies for energy companies. However, as we’ve reported numerous times, a vast majority of those subsidies (all but $2.8 billion) were for nuclear power, energy-efficient cars and buildings, and renewable fuels research. In addition, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, the tax changes in the 2005 energy bill produced a net tax increase for the oil and gas companies, as we’ve reported time and time and time again. They did get some breaks, but they had more taken away.

Oil and Gas Company Tax Breaks - FactCheck.org

 

[Ray From Cleveland]

Some feedback on this...

Trump Axes Michelle Obama's Let Girls Learn Program, Twitter Goes Ballistic

“Donald can’t get anything accomplished so he tears down everyone else’s accomplishments like a grade school bully,” one commenter wrote.

“Will be replaced by Melania Trump’s, ‘Marry For Money’ program,” joked another.

And another pointed out that unlike the former first lady’s involvement in initiatives for healthier school lunches — which has also been targeted for elimination by the new administration — this program has gotten much less attention: “I bet everyone outraged by the Let Girls Learn news never even knew it existed…”

They tried healthier lunch programs, and what they found is that kids were throwing away good food or otherwise not eating until they left school and make it to Burger King.

Republican parenting at its best.

Ray to kid: Eat your green beans.
Ray's kid: No
Ray: OK have a dough nut instead.

Government :Eat your green beans.
Student: I hate green beans! I have chocolate bars in my locker!
Government: then throw your green beans away like everybody else; it's taxpayers money so don't worry about it.

This is sofa king stupid. Who knew that prior to Michelle Obama's efforts, kids always ate every vegetable.

They didn't stupid. That's the point. Kids will eat what's appealing to them just like adults, and probably even more so.

It was about as dumb of an idea as DumBama's when he forced restaurants to put calorie count on all their items in menus. It didn't make one fat kid skinnier, but it made you libs think he actually did something.

 

[Kondor3]

...This from a dick who voted fr a lying, hate spewing bigoted POS. People of like thinking tend to stick together, right?

"Oooooooh, look, Mommy... it's one of those funny-thinking Hyper LibTard Snowflakes... it's a fluffy wee little boggit, isn't it"?

I voted for Bernie Sanders in the Illinois Primary.

I voted for Shrillary in the General... although I felt dirty doing it, and wanted to take a long, hot shower, afterwards.

I have spent more than 20 years in the nonprofit social services and charity sectors and another several in a do-gooder branch of the Federal service; in the service of others.

I have done more to advance the causes of domestic hunger relief and the efficacy of front-line social service workers and the general and specific issues of the underserved than you have yet even imagined.

Pissant.

Unless you have credible credentials in social service work or humanitarian relief as boots-on-the-ground overseas in such parts of the globe... do not presume that you are educated as to the desperate straits in which the underprivileged and poor and gender-oppressed find themselves, nor the good that programs do such as the one that Coyote served-up, nor that your debating 'partners' know less about it than you do.

You are a typical modern-age Hyper LibTard... plenty of book-schooling but still vastly more clue-less than those who understand the Real World.

Nowhere in my own contribution here have I said - nor even hinted - that such programming is not needed nor that such programming is not worthy of salvation.

But, because the tone, and the Devil's Advocate approach to putting the matter of cancellation to the test, utilized a less-than-favoring tone, your emotions got the better of you, and you immediately toggled into Combat Mode, and were promptly rewarded with a basket-full of In Your Phukking Face.

Little asshole... Centrists and Independents are not on your Same Page but they will work with Left OR RIght on a variety of issues, and you (collectively) need them in order to regain political power and return from your Exile to the Peanut Gallery.

You, however, are unable to engage on an issue-by-issue basis, and cannot do much more than throw $hit-balls around your cage, like a misbehaving chimpanzee.

Perhaps, in retrospect, it's best, that America gave you a long-overdue and well-deserved Time-Out in the Corner... ya'll (collectively) need to reflect, and to learn, and adapt.

You're a flea.

Now, go away, child.

 

[Pete7469]

A tad extreme dontcha think?

No....

You might believe the truth is "extreme" but it isn't.

 

[Ray From Cleveland]

Funny. If it were true.

7 Education Initiatives Led by Michelle Obama - The Edvocate

Could have spent those MILLIONS spent overseas here....they didn't.

The money the US spends on foreign aid is actually very small - something like 1/10 of a percent of the overall budget.

Foreign aid is one of the best investments of tax payer.

Foreign aid is designed to keep us out of war and have influence on other countries. This program does neither.

Funny. If it were true.

7 Education Initiatives Led by Michelle Obama - The Edvocate

Could have spent those MILLIONS spent overseas here....they didn't.

The money the US spends on foreign aid is actually very small - something like 1/10 of a percent of the overall budget.

Foreign aid is one of the best investments of tax payer.

Foreign aid is designed to keep us out of war and have influence on other countries. This program does neither.

Foreign aid will not keep us out of war and today it is not attended to do so. Foreign aid is a powerful tool in American diplomacy. It's the carrot and military power is the stick. Whether it's help from an African country with the kidnapping of an American citizen or attaining military fly over rights, foreign aid is our most powerful diplomatic tool.

"If you don't fund the State Dept. fully, then I need to buy more ammunition".
General James Mattis
Secretary of Defense

Correct, and that helps keep us out of war.

Our wonderful tax dollars go to having leverage in other countries when they are considering something that may be against our interests.

 

[Kondor3]

...No. In order to be comparable it has to address a real need or problem...

We must agree to disagree... I think you're wrong about the symmetry on this one.

 

[RealDave]

Obama's legacy is disappearing!

Your orange buddy can blame Obama for everything & try to end his policies. But history will show Obama to be a good President & Trump[ the moron who tried to undo the good Obama did.

 

[RealDave]

Great we have high school seniors graduating, and the can't read. But they definitely know being gay is okay. We don't need to teach other kids in other countries that.

Bigoted POS.

We should teach our children that people like you are disgusting ignorant fucks.

 

[jknowgood]

Great we have high school seniors graduating, and the can't read. But they definitely know being gay is okay. We don't need to teach other kids in other countries that.

Bigoted POS.

We should teach our children that people like you are disgusting ignorant fucks.

At least I know which bathroom to use.

 

[RealDave]

If they could, RWNJs would stop the education of US girls. Why? Because it's Michelle Obama. If this was Melania teaching Porn For Fun And Profit, the RWNJs would be lining up to applaud it.


Sent from my iPad using USMessageBoard.com

Funny. If it were true.

7 Education Initiatives Led by Michelle Obama - The Edvocate

Could have spent those MILLIONS spent overseas here....they didn't.

The money the US spends on foreign aid is actually very small - something like 1/10 of a percent of the overall budget.

I got a question for you 2 whiny leftists----->do either of you actually pay taxes to the federal government? Don't lie; and if you say you do, we won't believe it anyway!

You people are PATHETIC, you really are. Any lefty cause whatever it is, needs funding. And any time a Republican goes to defund something, it is racist, sexist, etc.

Why don't you two stellar examples of toilet paper, tell the rest of us where to cut the budget. Go ahead, and it can't be defense because that is the one thing the government is supposed to do. I know, how about FARM SUBSIDIES! OK, tell your Democrats to demand it. Go ahead! You lead!

I know, how about we lower S.S.! Again, Democrats lead, show us your gonads! Show us you are NOT afraid! When we say.......lets stop ILLEGAL immigration to cut down on our outlays, you scream!

So go ahead, tell us what to cut. We already want to get rid of Obysmalcare. Got anything else you want to add to it?

The ACA reduced the deficit. SS does not add to the deficit. \

I guess that makes you the right wing Trumpette moron we all know you go be.

How about we start by ending subsidies to Big Oil. How about we end corporate welfare?

We had a balanced budget & Republicans ended it.

We had a balanced budget and Republicans ended it? Who do you think wrote that balanced budget anyway?

You want to end subsides for big oil? Fine with us, because here is how those subsidies are used:

Oil Company Tax Breaks?

Both leading Democratic candidates have referred to tax breaks to oil companies:

Clinton, July 23, 2007: First of all, I have proposed a strategic energy fund that I would fund by taking away the tax break for the oil companies, which have gotten much greater under Bush and Cheney.

Obama, June 22, 2007: In the face of furious lobbying, Congress brushed aside incentives for the production of more renewable fuels in favor of more tax breaks for the oil and gas companies.

Both candidates are referring to H.R. 6, the 2005 energy bill that contained $14.3 billion in subsidies for energy companies. However, as we’ve reported numerous times, a vast majority of those subsidies (all but $2.8 billion) were for nuclear power, energy-efficient cars and buildings, and renewable fuels research. In addition, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, the tax changes in the 2005 energy bill produced a net tax increase for the oil and gas companies, as we’ve reported time and time and time again. They did get some breaks, but they had more taken away.

Oil and Gas Company Tax Breaks - FactCheck.org

Clinton + Republican Congress = balanced budget & surplus

Bush + Same basic Congress = Deficits & debt.


What changed?

Oil companies making billions in profits &the idiot right wants to keep handing them money through subsidies. But hey, those fucking lazy people getting food stamps.

Republicans don't want to cut spending. They must like to bitch about it to dupe their uneducated base.

 

[RealDave]

Some feedback on this...

Trump Axes Michelle Obama's Let Girls Learn Program, Twitter Goes Ballistic

“Donald can’t get anything accomplished so he tears down everyone else’s accomplishments like a grade school bully,” one commenter wrote.

“Will be replaced by Melania Trump’s, ‘Marry For Money’ program,” joked another.

And another pointed out that unlike the former first lady’s involvement in initiatives for healthier school lunches — which has also been targeted for elimination by the new administration — this program has gotten much less attention: “I bet everyone outraged by the Let Girls Learn news never even knew it existed…”

They tried healthier lunch programs, and what they found is that kids were throwing away good food or otherwise not eating until they left school and make it to Burger King.

Republican parenting at its best.

Ray to kid: Eat your green beans.
Ray's kid: No
Ray: OK have a dough nut instead.

Government :Eat your green beans.
Student: I hate green beans! I have chocolate bars in my locker!
Government: then throw your green beans away like everybody else; it's taxpayers money so don't worry about it.

This is sofa king stupid. Who knew that prior to Michelle Obama's efforts, kids always ate every vegetable.

They didn't stupid. That's the point. Kids will eat what's appealing to them just like adults, and probably even more so.

It was about as dumb of an idea as DumBama's when he forced restaurants to put calorie count on all their items in menus. It didn't make one fat kid skinnier, but it made you libs think he actually did something.

Really Ray. You are claiming kids never tossed their veggies in the school cafeteria?
When uyou try to use ypur argument, you just prove how desperate you are.

Arguing we should make school meals less healthy? Really?

 

[rightwinger]

What the hell is so horrible about this program? I get that the school lunch one had it's share of controversy but this?

Apparently the optics look really bad so....WH denies it's ending Michelle Obama's 'Let Girls Learn' program

A source told a reporter from the Washington Examiner that the memo was sent due to “internal confusion.”​

uh oh

backtrack time

This is a Peace Corps initiative

How could the Trump administration possibly object to it other than it is associated with Obama?

 

[RealDave]

Great we have high school seniors graduating, and the can't read. But they definitely know being gay is okay. We don't need to teach other kids in other countries that.

Bigoted POS.

We should teach our children that people like you are disgusting ignorant fucks.

At least I know which bathroom to use.

I thought it was up to the government to tell you.

 

[bendog]

Put TWINKIES back in school lunches. We DEMAND this.

 

[Flopper]

If they could, RWNJs would stop the education of US girls. Why? Because it's Michelle Obama. If this was Melania teaching Porn For Fun And Profit, the RWNJs would be lining up to applaud it.


Sent from my iPad using USMessageBoard.com

Funny. If it were true.

7 Education Initiatives Led by Michelle Obama - The Edvocate

Could have spent those MILLIONS spent overseas here....they didn't.

The money the US spends on foreign aid is actually very small - something like 1/10 of a percent of the overall budget.

I got a question for you 2 whiny leftists----->do either of you actually pay taxes to the federal government? Don't lie; and if you say you do, we won't believe it anyway!

You people are PATHETIC, you really are. Any lefty cause whatever it is, needs funding. And any time a Republican goes to defund something, it is racist, sexist, etc.

Why don't you two stellar examples of toilet paper, tell the rest of us where to cut the budget. Go ahead, and it can't be defense because that is the one thing the government is supposed to do. I know, how about FARM SUBSIDIES! OK, tell your Democrats to demand it. Go ahead! You lead!

I know, how about we lower S.S.! Again, Democrats lead, show us your gonads! Show us you are NOT afraid! When we say.......lets stop ILLEGAL immigration to cut down on our outlays, you scream!

So go ahead, tell us what to cut. We already want to get rid of Obysmalcare. Got anything else you want to add to it?

The ACA reduced the deficit. SS does not add to the deficit. \

I guess that makes you the right wing Trumpette moron we all know you go be.

How about we start by ending subsidies to Big Oil. How about we end corporate welfare?

We had a balanced budget & Republicans ended it.

We had a balanced budget and Republicans ended it? Who do you think wrote that balanced budget anyway?

You want to end subsides for big oil? Fine with us, because here is how those subsidies are used:

Oil Company Tax Breaks?

Both leading Democratic candidates have referred to tax breaks to oil companies:

Clinton, July 23, 2007: First of all, I have proposed a strategic energy fund that I would fund by taking away the tax break for the oil companies, which have gotten much greater under Bush and Cheney.

Obama, June 22, 2007: In the face of furious lobbying, Congress brushed aside incentives for the production of more renewable fuels in favor of more tax breaks for the oil and gas companies.

Both candidates are referring to H.R. 6, the 2005 energy bill that contained $14.3 billion in subsidies for energy companies. However, as we’ve reported numerous times, a vast majority of those subsidies (all but $2.8 billion) were for nuclear power, energy-efficient cars and buildings, and renewable fuels research. In addition, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, the tax changes in the 2005 energy bill produced a net tax increase for the oil and gas companies, as we’ve reported time and time and time again. They did get some breaks, but they had more taken away.

Oil and Gas Company Tax Breaks - FactCheck.org

Although I would like to say otherwise, the tax breaks we give oil companies are necessary if we want America to be energy independent and continue to employ 9.6 million people in the US. Today we import less than 10% of our consumption, a far cry from the 1970's when most of our oil was imported.

We can't tax revenues from foreign production of subsidiaries, where drilling costs are a fraction of US costs. If we want to maintain US production we are forced to maintain the insane tax write offs. Through intangible drilling costs which allows write offs of things like employee moral and goodwill, producers write off significantly more than the actual cost of drilling. Depletion allowances allow a 22% write off of production and in some cases more plus a multitude of other cost write offs. The result is that big oil pays about 15% to 17% in corporate taxes, about half the actual rate. Most of these tax dollars come from revenue producing activities other than production.