Nothing Ever TRULY Changes, Rick.
There's no doubt that it's YOUR/MY/OUR actual oil perpetually finnagled with.
But,...and like it or not my Friend, only large corporations ever benefit from America's vast national treasures, resources or whatever.
What makes it even worse, is that there is no larger corporation in America than The United States Government ITSELF,...plus making all the rules and policies favoring itself, friends and associates, to-boot.
So then, and since: "Birds of a feather flock together" and; "One hand washes the other",...it's only logical that Big Oil and largest corporation in America (re. U.S. Government) forever collude together for gleaning as much monies as possible from: "We The (Schnooks)", Peasants and/or The American Citizenry,...FROM WHATEVER source or resource available.
Sure we're FREE, Rick.
But, even you have been around long enough to realize that if not: "Connected" and/or quite rich and wealthy,...YOU/ME/US ALL are basically only FREE to do as told and/or as DICTATED doing, by SERVANTS.
Isn't FREEDOM amazing,...and especially with that: "SERVANTS" DICTATING norm? That's so funny I could cry.
Neil