Hmph... and you aren't bothered by what amounts to commercial grand theft from private citizens? Yes, they can either pay the taxes, or give up the subsidies. They can't have their cake and eat it too. John and Jane Doe haven't in a long time.

Here are a couple of new things regarding alternative energy aources. The first is from the Seattle P-I, NewScientist also has an article that goes into more detail, but I can't get it until Mon. when I go back to work.



Myhrvold is Nathan Myhrvold, former Microsoft Chief Technology Officer, who started a company called Intellectual Ventures LLC. The company comes up with inventions and the clean reactor is one idea it's working on.

Also, and this comes from EnGadget:



So, it seems there is being work done!

I'm equally troubled by people who justify the detrimental actions of multinational corporations that affect the very well being of our nation.

The oil industry isn't a private business. It's a very public business, one of which that has exceptional influence over our day to day lives. Therefore, it shouldn't be treated with the kid gloves that you'd like it to be.

That said, I don't believe a windfall tax would work as we'd just end up paying for it at the pump. I also don't believe that they should be allowed to carry on in the fashion that they have.

You're right, Stone. I didn't think of that, although it makes perfect sense. If we don't want to see a tax on windfall profits, then shouldn't the multinationals -- and in this case, the petroleum companies -- be forced to give up their subsidies and tax breaks? I mean, that's just like welfare for the rich, isn't it? Just depends on which side of the fence one is sitting, eh? They've pissed and moaned for decades about how the poor have bled them, but they've depended on the poor and middle income folks far more than most of us realize, and it's time to shine the light on how things really are.

If they shouldn't carry on as they have, what would be your solution?

Windfall profits are part of what make business fun!

Windfall profits should not be taxed in excess of the normal tax rate. However, there is something clearly wrong with a company enjoying both windfall profits and government subsidies in the form of tax relief.