Congress springs into action
With gas costs rising across the country right and the summer travel season approaching—not to mention the everyday pinch on commuters—pressure is mounting on our leaders to take action.
Say what you will about the current administration, but one thing they know about is the oil industry. Sure, certain aspects of running the country haven't always been easy for Bush & Co.—foreign policy and domestic policy come to mind in particular as problem areas. But this gasoline crisis is an area where they can draw on experience and show some of that decisive leadership we keep hearing about.
So what have they come up with? Perhaps a concrete plan and increased commitment to developing alternative fuels? Maybe new regulations on gas companies to limit price gouging and automobile manufacturers to improve gas milage?
Nope. Our executive branch isn't doing much of anything, actually. But our Senate Republican leaders, in all their wisdom, have sprung into action with a novel idea. Another tax rebate check, $100 mailed in advance of the November midterm elections, naturally.
For me, this is like found money. I live in New York City, walk to work and don't even own a car. But for the millions of Americans who do own cars, and especially those who commute, what kind of impact will $100 have? A few weekends ago I rented a car for a roadtrip to Montreal, and two fillups of non-premium gas in a freakin' Hyundai cost close to $100. So basically, Bill Frist and his buddies are saying, "We have no idea how to fix this, but here's a couple of week's worth of free gas!"
Except of course, it's not free; it's money—roughly $10 billion—the government could have put to use finding a real solution.
Either I'm on the wrong side of the argument somehow, or this is an especially ridiculous proposal, because for once, even many conservatives agree with me.
The N.Y. Times quotes Rush Limbaugh's reaction to the proposal:
Never a group to sit idly by and watch a potential controversy unfold without comment, the Democrats have prepared their response!!!
In the meantime, I'll be taking things into my own hands. When my check arrives I've come up with a plan to give myself a Personal Alcohol Stipend, to invest in going to a bar and getting obliterated in an effort to alleviate tension about governmental incompetence. Hey, easier to deal with it that way than actually facing the problem, right Senator Frist?
Say what you will about the current administration, but one thing they know about is the oil industry. Sure, certain aspects of running the country haven't always been easy for Bush & Co.—foreign policy and domestic policy come to mind in particular as problem areas. But this gasoline crisis is an area where they can draw on experience and show some of that decisive leadership we keep hearing about.
So what have they come up with? Perhaps a concrete plan and increased commitment to developing alternative fuels? Maybe new regulations on gas companies to limit price gouging and automobile manufacturers to improve gas milage?
Nope. Our executive branch isn't doing much of anything, actually. But our Senate Republican leaders, in all their wisdom, have sprung into action with a novel idea. Another tax rebate check, $100 mailed in advance of the November midterm elections, naturally.
For me, this is like found money. I live in New York City, walk to work and don't even own a car. But for the millions of Americans who do own cars, and especially those who commute, what kind of impact will $100 have? A few weekends ago I rented a car for a roadtrip to Montreal, and two fillups of non-premium gas in a freakin' Hyundai cost close to $100. So basically, Bill Frist and his buddies are saying, "We have no idea how to fix this, but here's a couple of week's worth of free gas!"
Except of course, it's not free; it's money—roughly $10 billion—the government could have put to use finding a real solution.
Either I'm on the wrong side of the argument somehow, or this is an especially ridiculous proposal, because for once, even many conservatives agree with me.
The N.Y. Times quotes Rush Limbaugh's reaction to the proposal:
"What kind of insult is this?" Rush Limbaugh asked on his radio program on Friday. "Instead of buying us off and treating us like we're a bunch of whores, just solve the problem."The same article points out that Brit Hume recently called the idea "silly" on Fox News.
Never a group to sit idly by and watch a potential controversy unfold without comment, the Democrats have prepared their response!!!
Democrats still want credit for being the first to think of putting money back in taxpayers' pockets... A few days before the Republicans went public with their plan, Senator Debbie Stabenow, Democrat of Michigan, proposed a $500 rebate plan.The Democrat response is to give out even more money?! No wonder we're stuck with the leaders we're stuck with.
In the meantime, I'll be taking things into my own hands. When my check arrives I've come up with a plan to give myself a Personal Alcohol Stipend, to invest in going to a bar and getting obliterated in an effort to alleviate tension about governmental incompetence. Hey, easier to deal with it that way than actually facing the problem, right Senator Frist?
posted by Zackattack at 9:46 AM
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