A Florida Resident, John Q. Public, decides that maybe we should drill for oil off the Florida Coastline habitat be damned and all so he decides to visit his local Friendly Oil Drilling Company for a chat.

“That’s some fine oil your getting there friend.” John remarks.

“Yep”, mumbles the oil driller hardly paying any real attention.

“You know”, John continues, “I am a citizen of Florida and a part owner of that oil”, he beams with pride.

“Really?” the driller remarks without looking up.

“Yep”, John continues, “In fact, I would like to purchase a barrel of that oil from you right now” as he reaches for his wallet. “How much you sell it to me for?”

“One Hundred and Thirty dollars will do”, says the driller. "Of course, you have to furnish your own barrel as that’s today's price on the World Market”

“But it is MY oil!” John protests. “Can’t you give me a little break?”

“Nope!” says the driller “If you don’t want it the Chinese do and Europe and lots of others” “What do you expect?” he continued, “Should Friendly Oil Drilling Company take a loss?”

“But it only costs you $25 a barrel to get it out of the ground!” John stammers. “I will give you twice that amount right now!”

“No can do!’ says the driller. “This oil actually belongs to Exxon Oil” he continues. “The US Government needs to give them a Tax Break to do you a favor by drilling YOUR oil and refining it for you”. “You will be able to buy it from them after they mix it together with the Saudi oil, refine it and sell it back to you as gasoline for $4.00 a gallon”

“But if this is America’s Oil owned by Americans and I am an American, why do I have to pay so much to purchase gas made from MY OWN OIL?”

“Maybe you should have asked these questions before you started shouting ‘Drill Here!” ‘Drill Now’ without knowing the consequences of your actions”

John Q. walks away shaking his head in disbelief and muttering, “Why don’t we sell OUR oil to Exxon for the same price as they pay the Saudis and WE pocket the profits?”

He shot a quick look back at the driller who responded, "Don't look at me!" "I drive an Electric Hybrid!"