The oil companies are not who we should be frowning upon...
Uh, thanks for your lesson in grade-school capitalism, but it was unnecessary. Our government certainly has a part in this as well, that's obvious to anyone.
You have a right to your opinion, just as I do mine - and if you wish to defend the actions of oil companies, that is your choice. However, the situation goes far deeper than is going to be addressed here - including how the same oil companies that are gouging customers control many patents on, and have blocked with lobbyists, many alternative fuel sources, or how they have worked with the auto industry to make sure their product keeps them both mutually in business (cars are actually getting LESS fuel efficient and enviornmentally safe over time, especially when you factor in carbon cost - a hybird bought today is actually worse for the enviornment than a regular car from ten years ago because of the 30 pounds of nickel required for the batteries, etc.).
If you agree with their actions, again, you are completely entitled to do so - but the practices of that Industry, like the tobacco industry before it, have been allowed to go on for far too long in the opinion of many Americans because of greased palms in Washington, and it's finally starting to unravel.
Again, though, thanks for the "lesson" - and taking the time out of tracking your oil shares on whatever site you use to track your portfolio.
AEfx