In April 1917, with the United States entering WWI —The U. S Army, having already decided to buy the Fabulous B. A. R. —asked John Browning to demonstrate his Water Cooled

.30 caliber Machine Gun. After a phenomenal demonstration of 40,000 rounds fired without a malfunction or missfire, then a second Gun exactly duplicating the first demonstration–a total of 80,000 rounds of perfection—Major Little, the Army Officer authorized to deal with Browning, mentioned a figure of $750,000 as an initial offer, fully expecting negotiations to begin. Instead John Browning said, "Major, if that suits Uncle Sam, it`s alright with me."

Later, Matt Browning, John`s Brother and business partner told John that the offer was only a beginning, and much more money could have been received for the two weapons. John`s said, "Yes, and if we were fifteen or twenty years younger we`d be over there in the mud!"

After the war, it was disclosed that Browning`s decision cost him over $12 Million in Royalties if figured at the going rate.

Henry Ford put America on wheels with his Model T [The Tin Lizzie]–from 1914 thru 1927

the Model T got more dependable and cheaper, the last one being available for as little as $295.00. During this time Henry continously improved working conditions and raised wages for his workers.

When the United States entered WWII, it needed Bombers, the winning bidder on the B-17 was not able to deliver—Henry Ford stepped forward, immediately began converting the River Rouge Plant to Aircraft Manufacturing, and by the end of the war was producing "A B-17 bomber an Hour". A phenomenal Feat.

Now I know that the Exec`s of the Major Oil companies have to answer to their stockholders, and work to inflate their golden parachutes—and I know that the U. S. Congress and their supporting lobbyists, are due their share of blame for our current energy problems, but I would bet that the American consumer would be paying much less for Gasoline, if Mr Browning or Mr Ford was at the helm of those Oil Companies.

Anyone defending the record profits of these companies,  or the dismal performance of the U. S. Congress,  in light of the

Recent Disasters and the current War on Terrorism–should be suspect as to his loyalties and his common sense.