The thing that kills me is that everybody wants to get their panties in a wad over the profits, but nobody even things twice when they see that the government took 2 1/2 times the profit amount in taxes, which believe it or not folks, you also paid for!!

No wadded panties here, CMJ. I'm glad that Exxon is making money. And I am not upset that the governments are getting more revenue from the taxes either. As long as the rate of taxation stays the same, the oil companies know that going it. And if more taxes from that source keep the governments from taking more of my money directly out of my wallet, I'm okay with that too.

So as long as you pay it to a third party first, you're fine with the government taking more of your money?

Just remember, individuals pay taxes, NOT corporations.

bekosh, in this instance the tax rate stays the same in relation to the price. So yes, I know that the corporation is passing that cost along to me, but as long as the government doesn't raise their tax rate, mine isn't increasing either. See what I mean?