Good Op-Ed, Dutch

But as you know, good theater is good politics...

Steve Baas

...According to Doyle, the purpose is to demand that these executives "justify making enormous profits in the wake of a national tragedy." Yet these five companies' current average profit margin is 8.15 percent, ranging from 6.28 percent for BP America to 10.41 percent for Exxon Mobil, according to Standard & Poor's.

...Wisconsin's gas tax adds 32 cents to every gallon of gas sold. At the current statewide average price of about $2.25 a gallon, that's a state Transportation Fund profit of 14 percent on every dollar you paid for gas. Subpoena the Department of Transportation!

...The Public Service Commission has consistently approved rate increases necessary to maintain Wisconsin utilities' profit margins between 12 percent and 13 percent.

...In the ultimate example of the through-the-looking- glass absurdity of these subpoenas, the state's Minimum Markup Law requires gas retailers to add up to a 9.18 percent profit to the cost of their product. Any scofflaw service station trying to give motorists a bargain by selling below this minimum markup is subject to prosecution and fines from the state Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection.