Close, But No Cigar

Yesterday, Bush signed a new energy bill that provides fewer environmental and economic benefits than people were hoping for. That is, of course, if people actually paid attention to the actually energy bill happenings. The biggest benefit supporters are talking about is a minimal extension of the daylight-saving time by four weeks starting in 2007. Rep. Upton (R-Mich) comments on the great benefit it has on the entire country, "Isn't it nicer to go home with the sun from work, with the sun still out a little bit instead of facing the dark way out all the way home? So yeah, I think we're better off."

Other benefits effect smaller towns more than it does the entire nation. Louisiana supporters say that the bill will provide more local jobs, new fuel options, cleaner-burning coal and the next generation of nuclear reactors.

Despite the plusses, one negative that could have easily be turned into the contrary is our dependence on oil and the high price of it. Since many Americans can actually see how much they are affected financialy by the price at the pump, it would have been in the best interest of the White House do deny the bill until our Congress gets it right. Corrections could have been made by providing tax cuts for businesses who provide alternative means for power and those who invest or use those alternative means. Throwing a substantial ammount of cash at companies that are trying to start up those alternative measures in the form of federal grants would also have been appreciated by me and the citizens.

You see, with the public, it's not what you do, it's what it looks like your doing. Whether you throw a little or a lot of federal money toward a cause that helps the public in the long run, it not only helps the country and their dependence on oil, but it gives more support to your administration.

But, don't worry if by March 2007 the Department of Energy finds that the savings are not substantial, they'll repeal the bill and will have spent countless hours and days for nothing.