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.

Yes, Dax, one or the other. They can't have it both ways without hearing a very loud protest from the masses who provide their bottom line. Is the US financing its' battles with gasoline taxes? Where does it all end? Their motives for war are well cloaked in cleverly designed descriptors, such as "liberation" and adjudication of "human rights violations". I see none of that... all I see in their eyes are dollar signs and the protection of their vested interests, lives of innocents be damned. Why aren't they or their sons and daughters on the front lines fighting? Is that beneath them?

I agree with you that windfall profits should not be unreasonably taxed. I have nothing against anyone making money, even bonus profits, but I think the profiteers should be honest about their bookkeeping and their motives. Are there any efforts being made to decline their subsidies and tax breaks?

This country is going to hell in a handbasket, and there are those in power -- those we've supposedly put there -- who don't even give a shit that some of us have to work ourselves to death to feed, clothe and shelter our families.

I'm not ranting at you, Dax. It's just that oftentimes I feel quite powerless -- and I know others do as well -- to affect the future. How do we untie our hands and make progress?

I am all for eliminating the tax breaks and the subsidies...I am just worried about the knee jerk reaction calling for "taxes on these windfall profits." There is something profoundly suspect about such a move. It says, damn near explicitly, that you can only make so much profit...anymore than that and the government will come in and take it away from you. This then raises the issue of how much profit is "too much?" What is going to trigger this governmental theft? Perhaps if Winddancer gets a bonus at work the government will step in and take it from her because its a windfall?

On the other hand, if the windfall profit is made because the companies gouged, or colluded to fix prices, or bribed some Senator for special favors from his committee, etc. then a punitive tax on that profit, perhaps in the form of a fine, as well as criminal charges, would be apt.

There is such a thing as unconscionable profits, not measured by size, but by how earned.

Re; Windy's bonus, which I hope she gets.

The gov't won't take it, but they'll sure as hell tax it, and not give Windy any special dispensations.

Crude oil dropped $6.00 a barrel today. Who wants to bet that gas prices do not fall in proportion to this decrease in oil prices as they do to an increase? I bet the price of gas will not come down as much or as fast as when the price of oil goes up.