[Allen K. Littlefield]

Originally Posted by thstone

Hmmm. How do you explain Exxon/Mobil (and the rest of the oil industry's) record profits during the Bush years?

Higher prices, higher profits. Bush years, NObama years. Govt has stopped issuing drilling permits and the EPA puts so many hurdles in the way that the lawyer fees are astronomical. Why is it always supposed to be the companies fault and govt. regulation never is criticized? As soon as prices go up we hear, "Big Corps are evil and greedy". We never hear "Big Govt." takes our tax money and is greedy. AGAIN..... the profit margin for govt. in the form of taxes is based on percentage of price. If a gallon costs you more the govt. take a larger share. Around 15%. Oil co. is around 4 to 5% therefore profits are higher. I am sure others on this list have the exact figure. At least the oil company provides a real service but what does the govt. do? For years we have heard the old drum beat, "Big Corp. are evil" with no corresponding look at the massive increase in govt. depts. and their natural ever growing personnel. Govt. can shut down a company but a company cannot say no to taxes or ignore new, onerous regulations without fear of being shut down. Who is more powerful and greedy, the folks who make your cars, drill and refine your fuel, make your refrigerators, appliances, on and on ad naseum or the huge govt. work force that produces nothing and does "jobs no one wants done and would never hire anybody in the private sector to do anyway? More people work for the dept of agriculture than we have actual farmers for one example. I am sure you can think of others.

AKL