Its hard to believe we live in a country where company executives can be hauled before Congress to explain why they are making too much money for their shareholders and employees. The United States Senate is making a political show trial by grilling executives from Big Oil. (CNN/Money who once took financial advice from singer/economist Billy Joel actually used the term "Big Oil".) They want to see if the companies are earning just a little too much money (as if there were such a thing). Unfortunately, a majority of Americans seem to agree that the oil industry should be punished for being too profitable. What they don't realize is that corporations don't pay taxes, they collect them. Any "windfall profits" tax would be paid by either shareholders, employees, or the customers (likely all three). Congress wants to force "Big Oil" to donate to charity (by using the threat of lethal force), but those donations will likely be paid at the pump.

If it weren't so sad, the situation would be laughable. "Big Oil" is one of the most heavily regulated industries out there. Oil companies are told where they can and can't drill, how much they can drill, how they ship it or pump it, who they can buy it from or sell it to, and how they refine it into other products. And with the regional blends they are forced to produce, product destined for one region of the country can't be sold in any of the other regions. Despite having massive government intervention at every stage of the process, and despite risky capital outlays, they still managed to turn a profit. Now Congress wants to take that away too.

Liberal Democrats seized the political opportunity to stump for economic redistribution.

"To my constituents, today's hearing is about shared sacrifices in tough times versus oil company greed," said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. "Working people struggle with high gas prices and your sacrifices appear to be nothing."

"In the midst of pain, in the midst of suffering, the public sees headlines about record profits," Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, pointed out.

So 'Big Oil' fat cats don't do any work, don't take any risks, and simply get rich off the misery of others. Well if the oil thing doesn't work out, they could always make it as a career politician.