Gas Prices/Oil Co.

Oil company profits are constantly setting new records. The profit margins are staggering to the common person who has to pay the ridiculous gasoline prices that the oil companies charge. I'm sure that those who hold oil company stock are elated. But the rest of us are paying for them to get rich. It's pretty obvious that the oil companies are jacking the American Taxpayers around with the gasoline and diesel price fluctuations. And I don't like it.

I think that their modus operandi is evident to all since this is not being done in a corner. They jack the prices up until they hear too much complaining. Then they back off a little, but the prices remain a little higher than what they were before the increase. Then after a period of rest they jack them up again until they hear too much complaining. Then they back off a little, but the prices remain higher than they were before. Using this process they have been able to slowly jack the prices up to where they are today.

Let me ask you one question. With all of the Congressional representation that the American Taxpayers have in Washington, what has anyone actually done about this? We hear tough talk but the gasoline prices remain ridiculous. Back at the end of 2005 five oil company executives were called to address a Congressional committee about this situation (especially after the rise in fuel prices after Hurricane Katrina) but it was all a mockery. Our fearless leaders refused to make these oil company executives give testimony under oath. What a commentary on the effects of lobbying and Washington corruption.

We can't expect our elected leaders to do anything about the scandalous oil prices because of the influence that oil company lobbyists have. The oil companies not only spend tens of millions of dollars lobbying our leaders but they also give large campaign contributions to help get their favorites into office. Didn't President Bush receive almost 2 million dollars from the oil industry in campaign contributions? Do you think that he is then going to turn around and "bite the hand that feeds him"?

I do not hold any stock in any oil companies, nor do I know anyone who does. I just pay the high gasoline and oil prices and resent it, like you do. Don't you think that it's time for some change? Don't you think that we need a president and vice president who have no interest in oil company profits? Do you think that maybe we need a president who will force our Congress to call these oil company executives back before committee and this time make them testify under oath? Do you think that a full investigation into this matter is in order?

Why are the rest of our leaders unwilling to work on behalf of the people when it comes to gasoline prices - those who don't receive money from the oil companies? I'm not talking about rhetoric and promises. We hear plenty of that, and we know it's all meant to calm down the taxpayers so that the crisis can blow over without anything really being done. I'm talking about getting to the bottom of this and finding out what the American Taxpayers really should be paying for gasoline, diesel, and oil.

I can guarantee you that if I am elected as your next president I will make this problem a big priority. I will also be looking to circumvent the big oil companies as quickly as we can with new types of energy. Of course they will be free to compete in this new market place just like everyone but they will not be allowed to monopolize it as they have done with fossil fuel products. [See "Energy/NASA" in Index 2 to get more information about my plans concerning alternative fuel research.]

[The five executives called to testify before the Energy and Commerce Committee meetings in 2005 represented BP America, Chevron, Conoco, Exxon-Mobil, and Shell oil.]

For those interested, the Washington Post has a three part transcript of the meeting mentioned above. You can find it online at the following web address: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/09/AR2005110901070.html