The Free Market Ain’t Free

Exxon Mobil, kind-hearted, puppy-loving protector of the environment/energy company has reported their profits for the quarter.

Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest publicly traded oil company, on Thursday reported quarterly profit surged 75 percent, pushed up by record crude oil and natural gas prices.

Profits up 75%? Imagine if you got a 75% raise in your salary four times a year. Think about it.

And then think about what might have happened in the last three months that could have led to such huge profits. I wonder...

So while you and I and all us chumps out here are busy fueling our cars and heating our homes and paying through the nose for the privilege of going to work and not freezing to death, Exxon Mobil is hungrily drinking our blood and laughing at our pain. It is absolutely absurd to rely on the so-called free market to determine the price of a commodity that everyone absolutely must have. It’s pure extortion. Particularly when you consider the natural disasters (caused by oil companies) and the wars (caused by oil companies) and the tyrants who hold all the oil (propped up by oil companies).

Someone must put a stop to this. Capitalism is great, but it isn’t the end-all be-all of civilization. Sometimes the government has to step in like Trust-Busting Teddy Roosevelt and put a leash on our corporate overlords.

Rise up, proletariat! Workers unite!!