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Big Oil Quotes

Sayings on oil profits, propaganda, and policy fights

These quotes challenge how Big Oil markets itself, arguing the industry profits from propaganda much like tobacco once did.

Five years of Republicans' failed energy policies have resulted in Americans paying twice as much at the pump as they did in 2001, while big oil companies make triple the profits.

Quotes by Russ Carnahan

In addition, the oil royalties the Federal Government does not collect from big oil will starve the Land and Water Conservation Fund of critical financial resources.

Quotes by Ron Kind

We must reign in overspending by ridding government of outmoded programs, making Big Oil pay their fair share, repealing massive tax breaks for corporations that ship jobs overseas, and enacting a tax code that no longer favors millionaires and billionaires.

Quotes by Paul Tonko

But Big Oil and Big Coal have always been as skilled at propaganda as they are at mining and drilling. Like the tobacco industry before them, their success depends on keeping Americans stupid.

Quotes by Jeff Goodell

Controversy Quotes

Instead of following through on their promise to concentrate on jobs, Republicans have attacked seniors, working families, women, and the most vulnerable among us. They have pursued an extreme agenda that would end Medicare as we know it and cut...

Quotes by Dina Titus

If there is the right opportunity for us to have a big oil play in Congo or somewhere else, we will definitely go for it.

Quotes by Dan Gertler

Mitt Romney has won the 2012 presidential nomination by promising Republicans that he would end a so-called 'culture of dependency' on welfare - welfare defined as 'free stuff' and food stamps for poor folks, not tax breaks for Big Oil...

Quotes by Christine Pelosi

For too long, the system has been biased in favor of oil and gas developers: sweetheart lease deals, generous subsidies and a regulatory process so slanted in favor of Big Oil that often permit reviews are simply waived.

Quotes by Chellie Pingree

For decades, Big Oil ravaged our environment. They knew what they were peddling was lethal, but they didn't care. They used the classical Big Tobacco playbook of denial, denial, denial, and all the while, they did everything to hook society...

Quotes by Bill de Blasio

Economy Quotes

So when you go up against the Far Right you go up against the big financial special interests like the Halliburtons of the world, the big oil companies, the big energy companies who work so hard to rip us off.

Quotes by Barbara Boxer

Frequently Asked Questions

What do big oil quotes generally criticize?
They challenge industry propaganda, rising profits, and government policy that critics say favors big oil companies unfairly.
Do these quotes compare big oil to other industries?
Yes, one compares big oil and big coal's propaganda skill to the tobacco industry's earlier tactics.
Do any quotes mention specific profit figures?
Yes, one notes major oil companies tripled profits while Americans paid roughly twice as much at the pump since 2001.
Is government revenue connected to big oil in these quotes?
Yes, one quote warns that uncollected oil royalties can starve conservation funding of critical resources.
Where can I find more quotes about the broader economy?
See our Economy quotes collection for more on industry and financial policy debates.

Others call for Big Oil to pay a fair share of taxes, tying the debate to the broader economy and government revenue.