[originaltext] When the top U.S. oil companies announced huge increases in p

When the top U.S. oil companies announced huge increases in profits this week, many consumer advocates raised complaints. At a time when American motorists are paying record-level prices for gasoline, some in the U.S. Congress think the oil company profits should be examined closely. The U.S. Senate Finance Committee is seeking tax return information on top U.S. oil companies from the Internal Revenue Service and some politicians are calling for a windfall profits tax. Of course, oil companies oppose such a move, citing similar or even higher profit increases in other industries, such as real estate, that have not caused controversy. Oil industry analysts, however, say a windfall profits tax might be counterproductive. Bob Tippee, editor of Houston-based Oil and Gas Journal, says large oil company profits could benefit consumers in the end.
    3. What are the reactions to the oil companies’ huge increases in profits?
    4. What do the oil industry analysts think of the windfall profits tax?