Some people have New Years Resolutions. Some have the half-year renewal of commitment to the aforementioned resolutions.
And then there is me, who must recommit myself monthly to my various resolutions and goals, as I find myself buried in more of those R&Gs than any human could possibly keep up with. It happens. So here I am, at the end of July 06, admitting to my slacking on this website. I won’t use the obvious “I’ve been busy” excuse because at this point results are all that matters you, the reader.
That is, unless you cannot stand my work and would rather I leave this unattended and even better yet, give up completely on writing on a consistent basis. To those types — if not meant in a sarcastic, motivating tone — you are entitled to your opinion. But on this site, your opinion is only valid in comment or email form. So, get to it and show me that you’ve got a pair - of opinions, that is!
To the rest, I make my decree: Starting on Monday, I plan on posting a daily entry every Monday through Friday. Let’s not go too far thinking I’ll crawl into weekend postings, as I’ll focus my main energy on M-F. A more realistic goal, considering a full-time job and online courses, would be that I post about four articles a week. I’d rather limit articles if there are no interesting topics to cover. So moving on…
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Before I start off the weekend right, I’d like to give a sarcastic shout-out to Exxon Mobil, whose 2nd quarter profits increased 36 percent to a second-place record $10.4 billion. Who holds the record for highest profits, you ask? Amazing enough, Exxon Mobil, earning the top spot after pulling in $10.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2005.
The stat CNN Money uses in its report breaks EM’s profits down quite well. They earn $1,318 in profit per second. So, in the 15 minutes it takes for me to throw together this quick entry, EM will earn $1,186,200 in profit.
The one thing that stands out between the two record earning quarters is that gas was ridiculously expensive both times. I paid $3.089 (love how they add the tenth of a cent onto the end… another complaint for another day) for each gallon of gas when I filled up the other day in Old Town Alexandria.
Americans should feel slighted. I know I do.
Basic business is simple - maximize profit, keep costs low in order to maximize profits and then, if you have shareholders, maximize their wealth. But shouldn’t the government step in at some point and set regulations on a natural resource so vital to the operation of the country?
That’s like lifting regulations on electricity and allowing electric companies to charge whatever price consumers would be willing to pay, while maximizing their profits. What would consumers do then? Get retro and break back out the candles and windmills?
Much the same, are Americans supposed to revolt against the high-rising gas prices by switching back to the bicycle? Roller blades? Kick, Push and Coast with the skateboard?
I don’t think so.
At some point, rich persons in power need to think about the lower end of the earnings bracket. Yes, it is great to promote the Great American Dream, which promises riches beyond all the eye can see, complete with freedoms galore. But when people can’t afford to pay the outrageous prices, what then?
It’s our government’s responsibility to help Americans attain their American Dreams, but not at the expense of exploiting fellow Americans.
If I were an executive at Exxon Mobil, my check would be quite a work of art, surely. But as a human being with a sense of the well-being of my fellow Americans, I’d have a problem with knowing that my company exploits the need for a natural resource in order to fatten my own piggy bank. But maybe I just don’t understand how “good” exploitation in prices is for the economy. Maybe I’ve just got it all twisted and should be rejoicing everytime I go out to the pump and have to pay an extra dollar or two per gallon. “Well, the prices are outrageous but at least our economy will get stronger!”
I think I’ll go out and purchase some stock in Exxon Mobil soon. As long as they’re going to keep screwing me for my dollars, I may as well try and earn those extra pennies per gallon back slowly through their stocks!