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Previews never tell the whole storyBy Seymour Klierly Every five days or so, I take a quick little trip down the road to run an errand. This errand only takes a few minutes of my time. It wasn't long ago that I didn't think too much about this rather frequent chore. However, nowadays, this once thoughtless task has become an ever increasing thorn in my side and, more specifically, "pain" in my wallet. Filling my little commuter car's 14 gallon fuel tank now costs me over $56. I know most readers of this column have larger tanks to fill in their pickups and therefore suffer from a much more severe "pain" in their wallets. Other than our national security, I can think of no other issue more front and center on the minds of the American people than energy costs. Every television and radio news program reports daily, if not hourly, on increasing prices. Every newspaper, whether print or on-line, runs a front page story on the effects of high prices on consumers like you and me. Washington couldn't tune out the cries for help if they tried. There are several schools of thought in D.C. about how federal policy can help alleviate high energy costs. Some are good; some are bad; and some are flat-out bonkers. This week and next, some in the Senate will push for the flat-out bonkers approach. California Senator Barbara Boxer along with Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman and Virginia Senator John Warner have a plan that will increase not only the price of vehicle fuels but also the prices of just about everything else you purchase, including electricity and food. Under the banner of protecting the climate from greenhouse gasses, these three and a few others are willing to wreak havoc on our nation's economy and every single person's household budget. We all know that climate change legislation has been one of the hottest topics in D.C. since former Vice President Al Gore went to Hollywood to make some money. Well, this new bill is love child of all those celebrities, environmentalists, and left-wing leaning non-profits who can all afford another 53 cents per gallon on gas, and whatever else comes with it. For those in farm country, this bill is even worse. According to a study released this week, this bill adds between 6 and 12 billion dollars to total crop production costs. Corn growers could see as much as a $78.80 per acre cost increase. That number for rice growers is $153.24 per acre. Wheat comes in at a $31.87 increased cost per acre. Remember, these are increases on top of the current cost of production. It's hard to imagine who in their right mind would support such a plan, especially if they are from an agricultural state. Majority Leader Reid and Senator Boxer know that this bill won't become law this year. If it were to pass the Senate, the House would struggle to find enough support and, at the end of the day, President Bush would veto this thing. So that leads many in the Beltway to believe that debate this week is merely a preview of what's to come in the next Congress. Just like in the movies, previews never tell the whole story. If this is the case, I am worried about what is in Boxer's real plan, and how high my current $56 chore would go. 6/9/08 Date: 6/4/08
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