Governmental gouging

Take a very close look at this graphic prepared by the Department of Energy:

Now tell me… who is gouging the consumer? Only 18% of the cost of a gallon of gas is even related to the refiner… and it includes their profit AND cost. The government, which has no part in the acquiring, refining, transportation, or sale of gasoline and assumes none of the responsibility or risks associated with running a company or producing a product collects 23%. For doing nothing.

Having listened to Valero’s conference call the other day, I heard that their profit per gallon is about $0.18. Compare that to the amount of taxes currently collected per gallon in New York State, which is about $0.63.

So again… who’s doing the gouging?