Originally Posted by 450slcguy

First of all, BP's liability has not been capped at 20 billion by anyone. It's a starting point to get the ball rolling. It has nothing to do with clean up costs. It's purpose is to have lump sum of money available to be dispersed by an impartial 3rd party to the pay the victims of the spill.

Secondly, the US government doesn't have the resources nor expertise to stop the spill. As much as some like to think, the Government is not in the oil drilling business. The so called "experts" are private sector people, and the specialized equiptment and technology being used is not in the governments inventory.

Thirdly, the President has correctly and rightfully put the full financial burden on BP and not the American people. If BP thinks their going to pass on the costs to the American public through their products, they are sadly mistaken. The American public will buy elsewhere and I'm sure the copmetition is more than willing to take up the slack. BP has plenty of money and physical assets, just look at the quarterly dividends payed out last week.

Fourthly, if you think the US government shouldn't be involved in deciding what reparations should be, who do you think should decide, BP? Yea right.

And lastly, I'm glad the committees exists to investigate the spill and those responsible for it. I'm also pleased that we have volunteers and media walking the beaches, cleaning the birds, and exposing the dire consequences of what happens when big corporations put profits before safety and environmental concerns.