Oil Companies' Profit on Gasoline: 4%. Government Profit on Gasoline: 15%

I was sent the following.

When oil profits are reported this week, it should be noted that oil companies make a profit of four (4) percent on each gallon of gasoline. Four percent.

The government makes a profit of fifteen (15) percent on the same gallon of gas.

I'm sure everyone has different numbers, but the point is well taken.

The whole thing reminds me of The Little Red Hen, an old folk tale, most likely of Russian origin. Irony of ironies.

UPDATES

April 28, 2011, 11:34 a.m.: Right now on CNBC: XOM profit per barrel rose only 14 percent. CNBC reports it, but I doubt most "get it."

April 27, 2011: This is from Carpe Diem. First, a map of the US showing the taxes on a gallon of gasoline by state: it pretty much averages 50 cents/gallon.

So, how much money does XOM make per gallon of gasoline?

According to this post on Exxon Mobil's Perspective Blog, "For ever gallon of gasoline, diesel or finished products we manufactured and sold in the United States in the last three months of 2010, we earned a little more than 2 cents per gallon. That's not a typo. Two cents."