Surprise! Dem lawmakers move to increase taxes on... you.

This time, through the oil companies:

Appearing before a House committee, the executives were pressed to explain why they should continue to get billions of dollars in tax breaks when they made $123 billion last year and motorists are paying record gasoline prices at the pump.

...

(Rep.) Markey challenged the executives to pledge to invest 10 percent of their profits to develop renewable energy and give up $18 billion in tax breaks over 10 years so money could be funneled to support other energy and conservation.

To sum up the position of our Democrat overlords:

1. We want to raise taxes on the oil companies (couch it in whatever rhetoric you want, the effect is still the same)

2. We won't let you increase supply (which would lower prices)

3. We want to dictate where 10% of your profits go.

4. And by the way, after we've done the above, we want you to lower gas prices.

The sheer stupidity of Rep. Markey and his Democrat cohorts is beyond stunning. The taxes built in to a gallon of gas (which dwarf any profits) are a combination of per gallon taxes plus corporate taxes and are directly levied on the consumer. And any increase is a direct assault on the on the very same folks who folks like Rep. Markey dishonestly claim to represent. If the Democrats in Congress really care about the pain folks feel at the gas pump (which they don't), then they should set an example by lowering or eliminating these oppressive taxes. The positive effect on the economy would be dramatic and quick.