Skepticism Over New Oil Regulation, Merely Cosmetic?

The world-wide oil industry sees America as a place where regulations are rarely enforced, allowing oil corporations to do whatever they please. In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, that lasted nearly 4 months, President Obama has pledged for tighter regulations to mitigate the chance that this type of ecological disaster happens again off the coast of the United States.

The problem for Obama may be Congress, which is heavily lobbied by these enormously wealthy companies which stand adamant against change. Most of the American South relies on these companies for a large portion of their economies, meaning Obama will need to convince the people in these states to side with him.

There is already evidence that this task will prove difficult. For instance, the moratorium imposed by President Obama on deepwater drilling in the wake of the oil spill was nearly overruled by a judge in New Orleans in June. Although the moratorium remained and this judge's ruling was overturned, it is clear that the states of the South who live off the oil will do anything to keep the oil industry afloat.

With the millions of dollars that go into congressional lobbying by these oil companies, tied with the American South's economic dependence on oil companies, many see Obama's promises with skepticism. A parting thought: just today, BP released it's internal investigative findings on what caused the Deepwater Horizon Oil Disaster, and hopefully to nobodies surprise, BP spread the blame for the disaster. These companies will not change there practices unless something drastic is done and the people stand-up against the lobbying and corrupt practices used throughout the oil industry. Maybe the next oil catastrophe will be in your backyard?