The Great 'Ass-Kicking' BP Dividend debate

The Great 'Ass-Kicking' BP Dividend debate
June 11, 2010

Doing the rounds of political circles in London is the suggestion that 'Kick-Ass' President Obama could end up having one of the following options served to him by BP with regard to the dividend;

A) The easiest answer to the US demands of a British registered company not to pay any dividends to shareholders worldwide.

B) Send all the non-US resident shareholders the dividend.

C) Send a letter to the US shareholders asking if they'd prefer;
i. not to receive any dividend
ii. The dividend be sent to President Obama to spend on social welfare programs
iii. To donate the dividend to wildlife charities in the Gulf area
iv. US shareholders to just receive the dividend themselves.

Voting by our impromptu jury suggests the response will be (a) 0% (b) 0% (c) 0% (d) 100%.

That darned free market! Where was 'Kick-Ass' Obama when it came to the US Banks and Hedge Fund owners pocketing salaries in the $ billions such as John Paulson?

Or, perish the thought do they contribute more to mid-term election financing coffers than the oil majors ???

In 2009 opensecret reported that BP spent some $16m on Federal lobbying. and some $3.5m in direct campaign contributions.

Lets see what this weekend portends - England versus USA in the soccer world cup and a scheduled call between President 'kick-ass' in the red corner and 'nice guy' Dave Cameron in the blue...