So much for the free market logic... http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/epic/site/cb-bc.nsf/en/02694e.html

>In 2007 Exxon Mobile had $334 billion in expenses and $404 billion in revenues. Subtract out a cool $30 billion in taxes and what's left is $40 billion which is an 8.3% return on investment.
>
>http://finance.google.ca/finance?fstype=ba&q=NYSE:XOM
>
>There are 5,382,000,000 shares outstanding, so that $40 billion equates to $7.43/share or 8% based on share price of $92.87 on Dec 31, 2007.
>
>I'd say that jives quite nicely.
>
>There is no need to revert to the lessons we already learned in the 70s. Taxes and regulation are not the answer. The free market is the answer. A few cases in point.
>http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2008/06/04/news/top/4e608d46402d5adb8625745e00110beb.txt
>http://www.columbiatribune.com/2008/Jun/20080609News002.asp
>http://sunpost.net/content/view/1997/190/
>http://www.industryweek.com/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=16495- The irony of me linking this is purposeful
>
>How about this in your neck of the woods.
>http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/06/09/afx5096008.html
>
>More energy, of all types, benefits us all. High oil prices are the perfect way to get the ball rolling.