I'll take a stab at excess profits, Brian. Profits should serve a common good. Business should make a return on investment that provides fair remuneration to owners, employees and benefits to the community.
Profits are excessive---take Lehman Brothers, one of America's most distinguished banks, as an example---where executives and managers took home as much as shareholders, contributing to widespread misery.
As for governments, profits from the private sector are paid into public treasuries to pay for sidewalks, garbage removal, social amenities, public infrastructure, overseas assistance---and wars.
If there were "profits" for government---excess of returns over outlay---Mr. McCain would be coasting to victory on the coattails of Mr. Bush. But that ain't so. Outtlay vastly exceeds taxpayers' returns. China holds the chits.
Last edited by King Brown; 10/23/08 09:40 AM.
