Last summer, my state senator sent me a copy of “2005 Legislative Report.” In it, he said, “I am committed to working with all levels of government to see that consumers are not gouged and that they have the fuel necessary to keep warm this winter.” That is an excellent use of news-speak.

On Oct. 28, I read that ExxonMobil had a record third-quarter profit of $9.92 billion. On Jan. 30, TV reported that the oil industry made more than $35 billion profit for the year. The hurricanes did not slow the flow of oil any. Not one bit.

That’s price gouging.

I have checked pumps from Bethel to Dixfield a number of times along Route 2, and the prices are the same, right to the penny.

That’s price fixing.

If the industry cut the sale price of its products by 80 percent, it would still make more than $7 million profit.

That’s greed.

That senator will not challenge big business. After all, he might want to be re-elected, or make it easy for his replacement.

I presently burn 100 gallons of fuel oil every week. My state senator does not seem to be helping me any.

As Scrooge would say to him, “Bah, humbug.”

We need a state Legislature that owes nobody anything. Independent.

Marshall Longway, Dixfield