Earlier this week Congress grandstanded in front of the American people attacking their favorite villains, oil company executives. Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass. had the sounbyte of the day when he said “On April Fool’s Day, the biggest joke of all is being played on American families by Big Oil”. The joke he was referring to was of course the record profits earned by oil companies in the last year. Only in Congress can the idea of turning a profit be considered a punchline, as Congressional leaders remind us every year with their inability to produce a balanced budget.

Markey went on to say that oil companies are reaping “a windfall of revenue” while poor people have to choose between heating and eating because of high energy prices. This is a statements that needs to be analyzed closely because very few Americans are aware of the truth. The United States Government earns more money on a gallon of gasoline than any of the big oil companies do.

The California Energy Commission breaks down the price of gasoline and shows you where that money goes. Please look at that table very closely and notice that with each gallon of gasoline you purchase only 6 cents goes to distribution costs, marketing costs, and profits for the oil companies. Meanwhile the taxes collected on that same gallon of gas total over 60 cents, or ten times the amount. It seems to me that it is Congress who is earning a “windfall profit” on gasoline, not big oil. Here is the kicker though, Congress wants to increase their profits at the expense of American drivers, as they are actually considering raising the gasoline tax while they criticize oil companies for high prices!

A Michigan congressman wants to put a 50-cent tax on every gallon of gasoline to try to cut back on Americans’ consumption.

Polls show that a majority of Americans support policies that would reduce greenhouse gases. But when it comes to paying for it, it’s a different story.

Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., wants to help cut consumption with a gas tax…

Imagine the ignorance needed to complain about high prices while at the same time pushing legislation to raise prices even higher. The next time you fill up your tank, please remember who the real villains are.

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Congress, Dumb Dems, Features, Taxes