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    I listened to a debate in Washington last week. Petroleum producers had their price questioned. They told Congress they are not to blame; Wall Street is the problem. They said big brokers try to outbid each other, so, they do not control what Wall Street does. The panel asked why don’t they produce more. Their answer was: the changeover to summer grade. Some producers shut down for that. When they were asked what can be done to produce more, the answer was not given clearly. It might be to open more fields. That was about the best answer we can give you now, they said.

    Congress now believes Obama cannot do anything unless they all work together and try to deliver some good legislation that will open up more fields. Hearing closed.

    Harry E. Starkey

    Hartly

BIG OIL dangerous

    Hello! Is this Big Oil and al-QaidaLand? Has Big Oil been infiltrated by al-Qaida? Are they partners in crime, comrades, bosom buddies?

    Where were you on 9/11? What were you feeling as you watched aircraft being used as missiles of death fly into the Twin Towers in New York City?

    Over 3,000 innocent people died in the towers and surrounding areas. This attack was not just intended to destroy the towers, but to bring this country financially to its knees. The terrorists failed to destroy the economy, but Big Oil is continuing those efforts.

    Since these multinational oil companies believe they do not owe allegiance to any nation, they would have no qualms about working with al-Qaida as a silent partner. Is it a deadly partnership, or just unfettered, out-of-control greed? At any rate, Big Oil is succeeding in accomplishing what al-Qaida failed to do.

    This menace was unleashed several years ago when large oil companies were allowed to merge. This created a monopoly that is not controlled by an open market and not subject to the law of supply and demand. Oil companies use this law as one of their excuses for raising the price, knowing full well it does not apply, because they have and use their ability to influence and control the market.

    Big Oil brazenly uses various lies and false excuses for the rising gas prices. OPEC, the weather, oil speculators, refiners (which they control), consumers, etc. You have to ask yourself how believable these excuses are when, at the end of the day, the money always seems to end up in their pocket.

    To add insult to injury, while gasoline prices are soaring, our tax dollars are still being used to shower the oil industry with millions of dollars in tax breaks and subsides. In the year 2011, the five largest oil companies received over $24 billion in taxpayer subsides. Collectively, they raked in $32 billion in profits the first three months of 2011.

    While families struggle to make ends meet; Big Oil is gorging itself on the economy.

    They are creating and causing untold misery and suffering for the people of this country. According to ABC news, this last quarter was the most profitable ever for Big Oil. They made over $51.5 billion.

    These Big OIL companies have testified before Congress that they do not need incentives for oil exploration. Still, some members of our Congress, those who have received some of the largest campaign contributions from them, insist on giving our hard-earned money to them.

    The Oil industry gives millions in campaign contribution to our senators and representatives to allow them to continue to rob and loot this country without interference. The pain and misery that are being inflicted upon this nation and its people does not bother them. Without mercy, this menace is destroying lives and theAmericadream for millions. At this point in time, we face a greater danger from those persons wearing business suits that own and control the big oil companies than from outside terrorists.

    They are, in large measure, responsible for the worst recession that this country has experienced since the Great Depression. We are just emerging from this severe recession, and each time we appear to be making progress, they increase the prices and drag down the economy. Is this a partnership with Al-Qaida or just unfettered pure greed?

    Gasoline prices have increased by 63 cents [per gallon] since the beginning of 2012. ExxonMobil reaps nearly $4.7 million every hour.

    When monopolies are not controlled through the open market, it becomes necessary for the government to either regulate them, or break them up for the common good. These record-breaking prices are having a devastating impact on millions of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet. Many senior and lower-income citizens were without heat during a portion of last winter, in spite of the fact that we had a mild winter.

    Ultimately, everything we buy depends on oil, and rising oil prices affect the entire economy. It is one of the, if not the, biggest rip-off(s) in the history of this nation.

    A recent bill to eliminate some of Big Oil’s tax breaks and subsidies that they, Big Oil, have said they did not need, was recently defeated by – you guessed it – those who received the biggest contributions from Big Oil. We cringe and suffer while al-Qaeda smiles.

    The time is long overdue for the government to take real action and rein in Big Oil. It is time they are held accountable for the damage they are doing to this country and the American people. Al-Qaida loves this continuation of their goal and dreams.

    Numerous phone calls and letters to our elected officials will encourage them to assume their responsibility to protect us from this plague.

    Listed below for your convenience are the names and telephone numbers of our elected officials:

    Sen. Thomas R. Carper   674-3308

    Sen. Christopher Coons   736-5601

    Rep. John Carney                 691-7333

    William H. Daisey

    Former City of Dover Councilman