[Strangler Lewis]

I agree that there's a lot of bad behavior all around and that a tax-as such-on the oil companies is not the best way to target it. Some suggestions:

* If Obama truly feels that the oil companies' profits do not accurately reflect supply and demand, market conditions, etc., he should have the stones to launch a big old fashioned criminal price fixing investigation.

* I have limited sympathy for most people affected by rising gas prices since many of them are driving fuel-inefficient, anti-social vehicles. Just as inner city police departments have had some success paying gangbangers $50 to turn in their guns, the government could help people help themselves by insisting that everyone turn in their SUVs and oversized pickups in for a new hybrid. (Or a new hybrid plus a gun, a Faces of Death video, etc. to keep testosterone levels up.)

* Anyone who wanted to keep their SUV or pickup truck would have to get a special permit justifying the need. It would cost $1,000 just to have the permit considered. E.g., an SUV would not be justified by commuter safety concerns. An oversized pickup would not be justified by the need to haul stuff to work on your house twice a year.

* There would be additional federal funding for school districts to run buses.

* Etc.