According to the LA Times, the House voted, 284-141, to pass a bill that would make gasoline price gouging a federal offense.

If that doesn’t make you feel good about the work our government is doing in Washington, you’re not alone…

Meanwhile, the Senate is working like mad to introduce a new energy bill, the first since they took control of the Congress and promised change in the first 100 hours. A committee also held a hearing on whether oil industry mergers had contributed to higher fuel prices.

If all else fails, blame capitalism. If anything it will make you feel good inside.

“I was at a funeral Saturday, and when the monsignor greeted me, he said, ‘My God, Bart, you have to do something about these gas prices!’ ” said Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), chief sponsor of the anti-gouging bill.

Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas) told her colleagues: “I can’t go home, and I imagine none of you can, without saying we tried to do something.”-Source

What a bunch of baloney!

This worthless legislation allows the government to investigate and prosecute anyone selling fuel at a price deemed “excessive” during a Presidentially declared “energy emergency” or under the premise that the seller is taking advantage of unusual market conditions.

Let’s be vague, shall we?

First of all, define what constitutes an “energy emergency”. Then define how you will determine if someone is taking advantage of “unusual market conditions”. While you’re at it, tell the convenience store owner that he’s charging too much at his pump when the customers are fully willing to pay him for his product!

And I’m sure we’ll appoint a new “energy czar” to go around and enforce these new laws, which of course will require a new 25 cent gas tax to pay for the enforcement agency…

I’m tired of politics. Actually, I was tired of politics on November 6th, 2002 when we stopped congratulating George Bush on his win and started asking Hillary if she’d run in four years.

For some reason it appears that the incentive to hold public office has become too great.

Clair McCaskill took out a $500,000 personal loan to float the rest of her upcoming campaign commercials.

$500,000!

Assuming she’s not a financial idiot, she has high hopes of seeing a return on that $500 large, to the point where she can repay the loan. Where is that money going to come from?…