"Dowg and his buddies in Big Oil are just ripping off America"
John3976, I (DOWG) do not have any buddies in Big Oil (wish I did, because I could participate in the "conspiracy" and go fish'in). In fact, I have credit cards issued by Shell/Texaco (American) and Citgo (Venezuelan). The oil company I own/work for consists of 14 people living the American dream; work hard, play hard; get paid, get laid, drink beer.
Canada and Mexico and Venezuela are the #1, #2 & #3 exporters of oil to the United States. They sell much more oil to you than I do. They are, by your definition, "big oil". Give'm a call, voice your concerns about the money they make, for the risk they take.
I am not ripping off anyone. If you, or anyone else for that matter, does not like the price of my product, don't buy it. What? There is no one else to buy it from? Start your own oil company, risk your own money and produce your own oil. Want to talk about facts? You ignored the facts I presented about risk. You take no risk and complain when my risk taking feeds my family and pays my taxes. Your argument is based on socialism; that is, you believe you are entitled to some of my money, without working for it, because you say the amount of money I make make is too much and in some way, not fair.
Life is not fair. And never, ever, will be.
I make a good living because I am smart and work hard. I must assume, that because you are demanding some of my money without giving me something in return, you are either unable, or unwilling to work for it. There is no other reasonable explanation, unless of course, you condone theft. If you are unable to work, I will help you. If you are unwilling to work, get lost.
I live high on the hog? Who are you to judge me? It is my money, not yours.
The banking industry, the drug companies and the insurance folks, among others, make a higher margin of profit than I do. Which is fine by me, they provide a service, for a fee, and I decide whether to pay'em or do it myself (the start your own oil company thing). I guess because you "approve" of their profit margins by using their services, you have decided starting your business is too risky, so you won't demand they take a pay cut. Consequently, you must immediately, refuse to do business with the above mentioned companies.
What do you do for a living? It really does not matter, because based on your logic (or lack there of) somebody else gets to decide how much you get paid for what you do. And consequently, you are agreeing to take a pay cut. So, whatever you "sell" to make a living, I demand, that you sell it to me for less. And no, I will not give you anything in return. Why should I? From what you say in this forum, it's OK with you... ... ..... And that's OK, because if everybody was as smart as me, I would not get paid as much.
Apples to apples; "somebody" has decided that you make "too much money". You take a pay cut. Now. Quit "ripping off America".
You argument is naive, and quite frankly, dangerous.
You are, by definition, a hypocrite.
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