I think you're not quite connecting the dots, Steve. You theorize that an additional tax would deprive oil companies of money they could use for exploration, but overlooking the context of record high profits. They're awash in money, so it's hard to see how it would cripple the oil companies.

The logic of the windfall profit tax is that the oil companies haven't earned the profits. The additional revenue they're enjoying didn't happen because they invested more capital and should enjoy the rewards of their efforts, they're making more money because they're not investing in increased refinery capacity and increased exploration. We believe that competition in a free market benefits society, so why should we reward companies for not competing and putting us through hell to fatten their wallets?

Given the special, fundamental, and vital role of energy in our entire economy, it's fair to say that when oil companies don't compete, we all lose. The last thing America needs right now is another competitive disadvantage. We need to do more than give lipservice to fighting for our economic survival, we need to get serious about marshaling our resources for the fight.