I don't think that the oil industry should be subjected to a windfall tax

[question everything]

This industry IS cyclical. I knew a company in the oil drilling business - a good one with good paying jobs and benefits and a nurturing environment for engineers and scientists - that went through layoff and hiring several times in the past, oh 30 years.

It is hard to imagine now, looking back, that it underwent a massive layoff in 1999 because.... gas prices were too cheap!

No, what Congress does need to do is remove those special incentives to the industry that were part of the so-called energy bill. What Congress needs to do is remove all those special goodies for fat cat donors and restore fundings for programs like food stamps.

These "hearings" just provide the props for next year campaigns so that Congress members can tell their constituents - hey, I went after the villains who destroyed your budget. To hide behind them the atrocities that they did do in helping corporations at the expenses of... their constituents.