In the Sun Journal Dec. 22, I read with interest the story about Irving Oil’s generous donation to assist the needy with home heating oil. That was a terrific gesture.

Then there is the Venezuelan donation through its company CITGO – another nice gesture, in spite of President Chavez’s anti-American rhetoric.

But where are any of the U.S.-owned oil companies? Exxon-Mobil, the world’s largest oil company, which has shown repeated historic profit-taking, has done nothing except stick it to all consumers at the pumps and at home. Then it tries to deflect the blame on everyone except company officials. When the CEO retired recently, his package was in excess of $400 million, yet the company cannot help the poor.

How shameful for this country.

Paul Parquette, Lewiston