Higher fuel prices? Here's why: MARS oil rig

I didn't realise that there were people stupid enough to buy into the lie that Big Oil is poor and desperate, and needs billions of dollars from governments to keep them afloat.

BP = income 2011 $39.81 billion
Chevron = $47.63 billion
ExxonMobil= $73.26 billion
Shell= $55.66 billion
Total S= Euro 24.98 billion
Conoco = $23.01 billion

Do those companies really need government handouts?

Again, go to this video, and just move that 'triangular curser' along the bottom to minute 4:44
Senate filibuster kills (another) bid to end oil subsidies - Video on msnbc.com

...or you might just look at the conversation leading up to that beginning at minute 2:42