I was in the lunch room the other day at school when I heard a student explaining his political views. First, he stated I am not a Republican or a Democrat. Immediately, I thought to myself- “Please don’t say you’re a moderate.” The next thing that came out of his mouth was shocking. He said, “I am a captialist.” He went on to explain how he was a strict captailist. Stating, “I am a captialist, but I am not conversative. I am a captialist, but not liberal.” He further explained his views on business and the economy- and how he felt that he was a man without a party. I was sad. Sad to hear that he didn’t think conseratives were pro-captialists.

But it is understandable when you see what has been going on in the Senate this week with “Big Oil”. Liberals made a push for the Windfall Profits Tax again- and many conservatives are ready to latch onto it. This is a dangerous idea. it almost reminds me of Marxism- punishing companies for doing well. Especially when there are many pro-capital solutions to the problem.

First of all, we haven’t had a new refinery in this country in over 35 years. And some of the ones that we do have are now shut down. A pro-capitalist would push for new refinining capabilities to increase oil production.

Second, a pro-capitalist would be for drilling in ANWAR and exploring other places for new sources of oil. Yet, liberals have stopped this exploration at every turn saying it causes environmental damage.

Third, a pro-capitalist would ease restrictions on special enviromentally friendly blends and lower taxes. Lower taxes? you ask. I heard this bit of trivia the other day. The gas companies make about 9¢ profit on each gallon of gasoline, while the government makes 50¢-65¢ on each gallon. Of course that is just the feds. That doesn’t include state, local and sales tax.

Now that is outrageous. Isn’t it about time that we do something about the windfall profits of the government?

Let’s take back our party and those people who consider themselves pro-capitalists.