Bailout bill

Have you seen this thing? Probably not. There's 303 sections on the bailout itself. Not easy reading. Still, it's what the bill is about and, like it or not, we're stuck with it now.

The other disturbing part is that they've stuck all kinds of legislation on the bottom of the bill- knowing that it was sure to pass. Let's look at some of the pork on this bill:

A huge, multipart section on improving our energy sources. Now, I'm totally in favor of spending money on researching renewable energy, but this thing is embarrassing. " Energy credit for small wind property". "Energy credit for electricity produced from marine renewables". "Energy credit for geothermal heat pump systems". "Credit for steel industry fuel"!?! Or, how 'bout these two: "Temporary increase in coal excise tax; funding of Black Lung Disability Trust fund". Followed immediately by "Special rules for refund of the coal excise tax". It goes on and on. " Exclusion from heavy truck tax for idling reduction". How is that energy improvement?. My favorite is, of course, "Transportation fringe benefit to bicycle commuters".

After the energy enhancement section, they just shoveled in whatever they could think of: "Seven-year cost recovery period for motorsports racing track facility". "Exemption from excise tax for certain wooden arrows designed for use by children". "Provisions related to film and television productions". "Extension of economic development credit for American Samoa".

What a boondoggle. It's shameful. America has spent the last 50 years spending money like it grows on trees. Both private citizens and the government have lost any idea of living within our means. I think we're going to pay the price for it now. I don't think we're going to pass a $850 Billion dollar bailout bill and have everything magically return to the way it was. We have to re-set our standards. Scary, but probably not a bad thing in the long run.