Once again we see on the news that Maine is looking forward to very high fuel oil prices this winter. We hear from Maine families that they will be wearing coats and hats indoors to keep warm when they have to lower their thermostats to conserve oil. In the next news clip we see a grinning oil executive attempting to justify more record oil profits.

This is America and I suppose it is their right to capitalize on the needs of those who use their products. Our president says we can conserve by driving less, lowering our thermostats and altering our lifestyles to use fewer oil products. That would be mighty American of us.

But why couldn’t the oil companies roll back their excessive profits to just plain high profits? Then maybe we could all have a decent winter and still be able to afford to supply our families with food and medicine. Americans helping Americans. Just imagine.

Timothy Smyth

Millinocket