Letter: There are limits to amount of profit

Tuesday, May 9, 2006 | 7:32 a.m.

While I don't claim to be a rocket scientist, I don't believe for one minute the claims by letter writer, F. Jay Harrell ("Big oil companies not the bad guys, May 3).

Regarding the listing of the percent of net profit on sales for different oil companies: I think we all know that accountants can make numbers reflect what they (the companies) want to show. I mean, "Forest Gump," the movie, has yet to turn a profit.

The bottom line is this: If an oil company makes a profit of $8 billion in one quarter, they are charging too much for gas. I'm all for the American Way - earn a profit, a modest profit. These companies and the politicians are not afraid of us, because we are too stupid and complacent.

All the oil companies have to do, to help the American consumer, is to reduce the cost of gas by 50 percent. All things being equal, that should result in them earning just $4 billion in a quarter.

I think I can safely say that just about every company in the world, would be very happy to earn ... just $4 billion in a quarter!

Jeff Willets, Henderson