While folks all across our country are hurting, having to deal with a wide range of financial problems, it appears the big oil companies will have their best years since 2008. For example, Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron Corp. and ConocoPhillips reported a combined $18.2 billion in first-quarter earnings. Exxon earned almost $11 billion and Chevron Corp. showed a 43% increase in its earnings. Overall the three companies had a 40% increase from a year ago and just short of the $20.2 billion they earned in the first three months of 2008. All of the other companies also showed tremendous earnings during the first quarter. Small business owners, working folks, and retirees should be up in arms over the price of gasoline at the pumps.  The rising prices for unleaded gas and diesel, as well as food, airline fares, shipping costs and other things, are hurting everybody in the U.S. It’s impossible to justify any oil company making billions in earnings during a three-month period while socking it to their customers.

Source: Forbes