The Wright Words: Big Oil rules

We are now in the second year of the 21st century and our country is still at the mercy of the big oil companies. These companies continue to make obscene profits at the expense of American consumers. Their CEO’s and large shareholders are, of course, the beneficiaries of these windfall profits. One of the more outrageous tactics they use to ensure this will happen is to intentionally keep their reserves at a minimum. This leads to more demand than supply, which in turn leads to higher prices at the pumps. As all consumers know, price gouging by retailers is a favorite trick in times of instability of petroleum costs. Given the wealth and technological advances the United States has enjoyed for the past 50 years, it is amazing that automakers have not mass-produced vehicles that use a cleaner, more energy-efficient fuel. The reason for this is simple. Large oil companies do not want this to happen, and out government seems unwilling to protect consumers by challenging these companies and their “fat cat” executives. As a result, Americans are being forced to live by their rules and policies. It should be obvious by now that without governmental intervention we are going to continue to be dependent on petroleum as a fuel source. Something else to consider is the fact those two former oilmen, George Bush and Dick Cheney, are in the White House. This creates a perfect situation for the large oil companies. Talking about the fox guarding the henhouse! As long as they are in power the American people can forget about any government assistance regarding alternative fuels for automobiles. I just wish more people had thought about this when they went to the voting polls in 2000.