This all sounds really good but the automakers and oil companies won’t go quietly into that good night
Congress looking to stem anger at the pump - CNN.com
WASHINGTON (AP) — As motorists face near record gasoline prices, the Senate took up an energy bill Tuesday that would raise auto fuel economy standards for the first time in nearly 20 years and make oil industry price gouging a federal crime.
Democratic leaders in both the Senate and House said they want broad energy legislation passed before the Fourth of July congressional recess, hoping to dampen growing voter anger over paying more than $3 a gallon at gasoline pumps across the country.
I really am all for price gouging becoming a federal crime. Watching gas stations in the southern states post Katrina raise their prices by $1, $2, and $3 a gallon for gas they already had in storage was appalling. The problem is that the oil companies have most of the lawmakers on really short leashes and I can’t imagine they will come up with anything with any real teeth to it. Sure, maybe the occasional gas station owner might get swept up in a law they make but believe me they won’t be taking big oil to task any time soon.
The same really goes for fuel economy standards. The auto companies don’t want to government to tell them what to do any more than the oil companies. Auto manufacturers also contribute to politicians at a pretty high rate and because we run our elections in the way we do those contributions could be the difference between another term or going home with your tail between your legs.
I get it, I am an idealist but come on folks elections shouldn’t be he/she who has the most money wins. They should be about he/she who has the best ideas wins. Politics has always been big business and as long as it continues to be we will continue to breed politicians and not statesmen and women which is really what we desperately need in this country.
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