The enemy of America is not free enterprise.

Despite what you may have heard recently from presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle, this is not the reason America is hurting.

Why are we willing to crucify those that happen to make a profit on stuff we need?

Some have proposed taking profits away or limiting profits and using them for purposes the government deems “better.”

While I will let you interpret what that constitutes to you personally.

I have to address another issue.

There is no “Big Oil or “Big Pharmaceuticals.” If this was true, then why isn’t Always considered “Big Tampon?”

In reality, the big enemy of America is “Big Politics.” The politicians that claim oil companies have excess profits that are unnecessary are hypocrites.

They gained their wealth through free enterprise and used the system to their advantage.

All of the presidential candidates have a net worth ranging from $2 million to $110 million.

I used The Washington Post for that but I doubt this constitutes a reliable source or something you could find on Google.

Obviously, the profits that these people have amassed are far too much compared to the rest of us worker bees.

But we should pay no attention to the people behind the curtain.

Their wealth is not at all in excess, so let’s move on.

The “biggest enemy” is Exxon, and the oil industry that apparently made more money than God by drilling for oil and by using the tears of orphans and baby seals for lubricant.

Man, this talking about baby seals is making me hungry for one.

Anyway, many of you out there should be happy that certain industries are making record profits.

I am not talking about that trickle-down economics mumbo-jumbo: I am talking about stock dividends.

If you end up having a 401k, a mutual fund or a pension fund it is very possible you’ll have some energy shares.

Energy stocks are used because they generate money like Columbia generates cocaine and paramilitary groups.

It’s a sure thing.

So the next time you meet a teacher, public servant or your own parents, find out if those you know are part of the evil oppressive, imperialistic murderous Oil Machine.

But these innocent hard-working people can’t be at fault because they only have a few stocks.

It’s not like they sit on the board of directors.

You’re right, but if we are fighting a “war for oil” then all of these people making their own future better off of oil are war criminals too.

Well if the talking heads and the commoners aren’t at fault, then who is?

Maybe I am the only one that finds it funny when Congress calls the leading petroleum executives in to testify about why the price of gas is so high.

Milk and gold have risen in price. Why not call in “Big Milk” and “Big Gold.”

The price of gas is so high because of the government, not the free market.

The government taxes the hell out of it and when the prices in turn have to rise, the politicians turn around and point the finger at Exxon.

Don’t believe me?

Then tell me who is in charge of deciding where companies drill and how they drill.

The reason why no refinery has been built in 35 years is as much the oil industry’s fault as Sept. 11 was our fault.

Who closed ANWR and decided that we should use our food (corn) to make gas instead?

Who issues permits for refineries and regulates how oil is made, transported and then taxes these companies? The government.

In addition to all of this, the fact that there are over 16 different blends of gas for use is a great way to create unneeded refining processes and is part of why gas is expensive.

Carbon taxes are another reason why gas is so high. California wants to put an additional 9 cents on every gallon of gas.

That’s going to do a great job in making people pay more at the pump.

The oil industry is not going to pay the tax out of kindness from their hearts, they will charge you.

That’s how business works: You don’t take hits yourself, you pass it on to your customers.

As of 2002 there was a 22 cent tax (state and federal) on every gallon, according to the California Energy Commission.

In California, a total of 50 cents of taxes (state and federal are levied on every gallon.)

So don’t blame Exxon, BP, Shell, etc. for your troubles, blame people in Congress.

Just to put this in perspective, Chevron, Exxon and ConocoPhillips paid nearly $158 billion in taxes to the feds in 2005, according to the Tax Foundation.

This is only for payroll and the other various taxes that have to be filed, not to mention all the drilling permits and fees associated with that.

Makes that $39 billion dollar profit for Exxon fall into perspective.

So take off the tinfoil hats and start asking the people that create these taxes why they are sticking it to you.