A Distorted Reality Is Now A Necessity To Be Free

Regular readers will note that I rarely, if ever, post on political matters, leaving that for the senior (cough) author on Glib & Superficial. However, a story today has really, really, REALLY gotten my goat. If I hadn't read it in the newspaper, I almost certainly would have believed it came from a Christopher Buckley novel.

The NYT reports:

WASHINGTON, April 27 — Republican senators offered a relief package today for a public dismayed by rising gasoline prices. Trying to get out front on an issue that seems certain to be a factor in this fall's elections, the senators proposed a $100 "gas-tax holiday" in the form of a rebate check for every family.

You have got to be kidding. In the midst of the Bush emergency "must pass" budget supplement worth a cool $92 bn, already pumped up with $14 bn in pork, and a year in which we've doled out another $23 bn in farm subsidies (despite our aversion to all things French), we're going to hand out $100 to every American family "to pay for gas."

What?!?!

Of course, Americans want cheaper gas (even those of us without cars). But does the Senate really believe that Americans will appreciate this gesture instead of properly viewing it as a horribly myopic piece of energy policy and a hackneyed attempt at saving votes in 6 months?

Again, try to determine whether this is actual news, or an excerpt from a Buckley satire:

"It will show people that Washington gets it," said Senator Jim Talent of Missouri, "and that it's time to provide some relief to Americans, to Missourians who are trying to support their families and are paying these very high gasoline prices."

Emphasis added. Now excuse me while I go jump out a window.

*Image courtesy of defenselink.mil