Exactly where in the Constitution of the United States does any of the 4 branches of government deem this right to be granted? I certainly haven't been able to find where the house or senate, judicial, executive, or propaganda branches of the government are granted those powers.
And while Washington, DC is quickly becoming a "Constitution Free Zone," maybe the oil companies should demand "equal protection under the law," and have their lobbyists write legislation or executive orders on "reasonable profits" for say, the computer software industry, the entertainment industry, sports franchises, etc.
One thing is for sure... Place a 100% "windfall profit tax" on any product, and you will see a ceiling placed on the production of that product, since there's no reason to work for 0% profit, while still incurring operating costs. A sure way to boost prices, but then again, as the Energy Enemy Chu said, they don't want to bring down the cost of energy. They want to boost it to a point where their economically unfeasible "alternatives" become competitive. So expect $15 a gallon gasoline, if they get their way... And expect everything else to skyrocket too. How about $12 a dozen eggs, $16 loaf of bread, etc... They will hit or exceed those prices when diesel fuel hits $20 a gallon.
Mark
And expect everything else to skyrocket too. How about $12 a dozen eggs, $16 loaf of bread, etc... They will hit or exceed those prices when diesel fuel hits $20 a gallon.
That’s when they institute price controls. Of course, then there are shortages. So, they accuse people of hoarding and come and confiscate whatever someone may have. Then the government distributes essentials to their friends and supporters. At some point, they take over production of everything and make sure nothing is produced for very high subsidies. Then they run out of money and eventually they run out of anything to use as an inducement to production, so they plead with the former producers to please come back to work because they will kill them if they don’t.
Can we have an Excess Stupidity Control Board?