Are we getting screwed by Big Oil?

While Republican leaders sharply criticize soaring gasoline prices and energy industry profits, GOP negotiators have decided to knock out provisions in a major tax bill that would force the oil companies to pay billions of dollars more in taxes on their profits.

(Photo: Jeff Chiu / AP)
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One of the first lessons I learned as a young man after arriving in the United States is that most Americans vote on pocketbook issues. It seems like everyone I've talked to this past week is pissed off with the Big Oil companies...and the politicians who give these companies tax breaks.

The price of gasoline more than the war in Iraq may be the defining issue for the mid-term elections in November. What do you think?

Update:

Praise the Lord! According to Reuters, Exxon Mobil is this morning reporting 8.4 billion in profits for the first quarter.