Well, here we go again. Gas prices are high and people are pissed. Politicians are going nuts trying to look like they're doing something about it. Bush's brilliant idea is to hand out $100 to 100 million Americans to ease their gasoline bills. Their total plan would cost "less than $20 billion." Here's the philosophy summed up by Sen. John Thune (R-SD) in the
NY Times:
"The American consumer is the one that needs the break today, and we need to be taking steps to make sure that they aren't emptying their wallet every time they fill their tank."
Oh, Jesus.
Democrats are no better. After all, we're the party of working people, and working people need relief from these high gas bills! The Dems' bright idea is to eliminate the federal gas tax (18.4 ¢/gal gasoline, 24 ¢/gal diesel) for 60 days.
Then along came Charles Krauthammer....
And the Hammer nailed it with a
column beautifully titled:
Say It With Me: Supply and Demand
Now ol' Krauthammer isn't usually considered a friend in these parts, and of course I disagree with his desire to drill everywhere as the solution. But he's dead right that there are very good reasons why the gas price is high right now, and especially that removing gas taxes would
counteract the only good thing that comes with high gas prices -- the incentive to conserve.
(Emphasis mine.)
The fact is, gas prices should be a lot higher than they are now, since this in the end is the only way to get people to use less, either by driving less or choosing more fuel-efficient vehicles. Of course nobody wants to hear that, so politicians feel like they have to do this ridiculous pander every time gas prices rise. The sad thing is, they're probably right.
Well here's hoping economics will override their efforts and eventually we can get some conservation around here.