I think that record profits at the expense of the American people (during a time of hardship, no less) certainly constitutes a "tilted playing field." How about tilting it towards the people for a change? Encouraging domestic drilling will only hasten the day in which domestic reserves go dry and we place ourselves at the mercy of foreign markets. This is not just a tax on an industry that gouges American consumers, it is an incentive to energy producers to do the smart thing: invest in other, more ecologically beneficial, forms of energy production. How about thinking in terms of the long-term good of America instead of toeing a party line at the expense of our future?

Excellent piece. You made a fine point and did not even have to mention the effect increased burdens will ultimately have on national security by limiting domestic exploration (and thus production) and increased dependence on our "friends" in oil-producing countries.

Again, this article just shows me that Obama has little or no understanding of the free market and the complex interplay between producers, suppliers, and consumers. Does Obama really believe that any taxes or fines or whatever that he imposes on the oil companies won't be passed right on along to the consumers? Or is it more simple than that - perhaps he doesn't care, as long as he continues to milk the cow in order to feed his seemingly insatiable appetite for new money to implement his neo-socialist agenda? Either way, we're screwed.