[stockstrader]

So PUNISHING the oil companies--who make about 15 cents/gallon when the government (fed, state and local) averages about 50 cents/gallon--will produce more oil and cheaper gas?

The government needs to get out of the way--when it comes to intrusion, regulation, higher taxes and limiting drilling and building of refineries. Punishing them is exactly the WRONG incentive. As Ronald Reagan used to love to say, "The government is not the solution, the government is the PROBLEM"!

[sandbar]

No, I don't think punishing them is the answer, but lets face it, big corps will screw the population without a second thought. We have to have some restrictions in place or we will all have flipping emphasema, but IF the government is going to get involved, offer incentives for other forms of fuel. Oh wait, the oil companies will shut that down quick.

[cvq3842]

Right. what will the government do when additional taxation drives investment out of the oil business, and supply decreases?

Some crackpots have even mentioned "nationalizing" the oil industry - these are probably the same folks who in the next breath say "Bush is destroying the Bill of Rights" and have no idea of the irony.

CHANGES IN LAWS (ESPECIALLY TAX LAWS) change behavior. Liberals don't understand that. conservatives do.