At this point in time in America, is there anything that will shock us, or are we a downtrodden people who don’t believe we can do anything about our problems? The American public, 300 million strong, must stand up and denounce the oil companies, which last year pulled in record profits from our pockets.
This is very telling, very corrupt, very unfair to the consumer, and very bad for the
economy. Or, should I say to the 99% of Americans who can’t afford anything
anymore. It was announced that in 2005, Wal-Mart was finally dethroned as the #1
moneymaker in the Fortune 500; Wal-Mart, the low-priced store that the 1% of the
people who control America’s money wouldn’t dare be seen inside.
Who was the number one moneymaker in 2005? Exxon-Mobil. Everyone keeps
asking why gas prices are not coming down. We hear every excuse imaginable, but
the fact of the matter is Exxon-Mobil raked in (I won’t say earned) $340 billion last
year (34 billion in profit). Now, and I must ask, as all Americans should: If oil prices have gone through
the roof, and continue to keep soaring, how did Exxon-Mobil raise their net intake
25.5% from 2004? If they had stabilized their prices in this time when people are
forced to choose between gasoline and basic necessities, and were content to keep
their 2004 status quo, then the prices we pay at the pump would be 25.5% less than
they are now.
The average gallon of gasoline is approximately $2.40 (after a huge jump the last
two weeks). Subtracting that 25.5% extra profit Exxon-Mobil made over 2004,
something they should have done to help America, our gas prices would average
$1.78 a gallon. Still too high, but much more manageable for the American family
and taxpayer.
We can’t just blame Exxon-Mobil; there are many oil companies that are gouging
the American people, ruining its economy, thus weakening our country, creating
crime and death, hunger, pain, and suffering. ChevronTexaco had an increase of
28% over 2004 making them the #4 company on the Fortune 500 list. If they cared
about the effect they had on our country and continued to enjoy the same profits as
in 2004, the price at their pumps (again based on $2.40 gallon) would be $1.72 a
gallon. The #6 company on the list this year is ConocoPhillip, which saw their
revenues skyrocket to an incredible 37% in 2005. Again, using the same formula as
above, their price would be reduced to $1.51. Compare these increases to other
Fortune 500 companies this year: Wal-Mart had a 9.5% increase, down from its
usual high teens increase in sales; GM’s revenues decreased ½%, while Ford rose
less than 3%; GE rose 3% while IBM dropped 5.4%. The airline, motor vehicles, and
building materials industry all lost money last year. Housing prices, which saw
record growth, has finally come to a halt and house prices are now slipping as
house taxes for each city and town are rising to pay for its multiple fuel needs.
One must realize that the way oil goes so does our economy. With prices of gas so
high, it affects every form of business, small and big. Many small businesses have
been put out of business because they can’t afford to do business any longer.
Airlines are dropping by the wayside, or driving up prices, or consolidating flights to
the inconvenience of the potential customers they rely on so as to stay in business.
From retail stores to restaurants (many going out of business) to tourism to
supermarkets, etc. etc. etc. prices have skyrocketed so these industries can pay
their suppliers the extra money they are being charged, and so forth and so forth,
down the line.
In this time of national crisis, the oil companies should take the lead and help end
this destructive pattern of greed before inflation spirals into another recession.
Fifteen straight increases in the Fed speaks volumes. George Bush and Dick Cheney
should regulate the oil companies, do something to rein in their price gouging. Why
isn’t this administration doing anything when they can do something about it? Why
is this failing administration avoiding this economic free-for-all for the rich, while
the middle class joins the lower class? Lest we forget: Bush and Cheney and so many
of their friends and politicos are in the oil business.
This is just more irrefutable proof that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
Is this freedom? It sounds more like an executive branch of government, which has
expanded its powers for personal gain and revenge.
There is only one way out and that it to speak as one voice. Whether it be censure or
impeachment, or calling your congress people and demanding that something be
done, or voting for a just America at the polls in November, we still own this
country. If we do nothing, then we are allowing the money mongers to take control,
abuse us, and rake in whatever money we still have to our names.
reference:ezinearticles.com
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