Dear Editor,

It has been frustrating lately watching all the public relations commercials on TV by large corporations and industries trying to convince us about their concern for the U.S. and job creation.

However, the mailing we received this week from “The American Petroleum Institute” takes the prize. It advises us “No Tax Hikes on American Energy,” because “Higher Energy Taxes May Lead to Job Losses,” etc. We have to assume this was mailed to all Georgia citizens, since our congressional representative, Rep. Sanford Bishop, and his Albany Office is filled into a blank space for calls.

It’s been reported that President Obama, in his Thursday night address, will be addressing canceling the $46.2 billion annual oil and gas subsidies to lower the budget deficit. This idea is long overdue.

It’s outrageous that the oil and gas industries and their lobbyists’ greed has an unquenchable thirst. As a reminder of their greed, Exxon Mobil should be sharing and supporting our government through paying taxes on their $45.2 billion profits, rather than the IRS tax credits/refunds they received for 2010. All of us have seen our gasoline prices jump up 18.75 percent this year.

If you’re so moved to call a congressman or senator, encourage them to vote to cancel all oil and gas subsidies, as well as cut many of their “tax breaks,” which allow them refunds from our tax dollars.

Our federal government’s spending and industrial favoritism is out of control, and way beyond our constitutional limits. If you agree, you might want to join the Bainbridge TEA Party Group on Sept. 15 (Thursday at 6 p.m.) at their meeting in the Decatur County Administration Meeting Room, 203 W. Broughton St. The speaker will be Rebecca O’Dell Townsend and her second appearance will be Part II on our U.S. Constitution and the constitutional role of each government branch.

Byron and Kelly Godwin

Bainbridge