villains wanted, experience preferred...

Gas prices are too high, and people are upset. But just who's at fault? The easiest non-answer is "gouging" and corporate greed. Of course, George W. Bush also gets his slice of vitriol from the Left, because we all know that Bush's government is run by the oil companies' interests and Bush steadfastly "refuses to do anything about it." Politicians are quick to point fingers at anyone and get the ire of the masses directed at a common foe, preferably a sinister sounding one like "Big Oil". And why not? It is a script that has worked so many times before.

Politicians know the real reasons. They are smart people, many even went to college. They are smart enough to know that most Americans are, well, economically retarded. (Don't worry, if you went through a government school system, this is how you were supposed to turn out...But that is another post. Go back to watching American Idol now.) Any economist knows that the price of gas at the pump has nothing to do with corporate gouging and everything to do with simple supply and demand and government overregulation. Examine the figures yourself and you will find that more pennies per gallon end up in the hands of elected officials than in the hands of the corporation that brought the gas to you. Not a bad deal for the government, which then shows paramount hypocrisy by fanning the flames of Naderism to vilify the oil execs, and doing it loudly enough to drown out the jingle of coins diverted into their own coffer. Methinks thou dost protest too much.

Politicians love wedge issues. This is the locus classicus of the greedy corporation versus "the little guy." Government is a willing facilitator in the hostility for several reasons. They know Americans suffer from wealth envy and find it easier to hate faceless corporations than passionate public servants. They know Americans as a whole are generally ignorant and uninterested in the way our economy works. They understand the difference between profits and profit margins, so they know gouging is not occurring (at least not by the oil companies!). They know that, because of the enviro-nuts, oil companies must produce over 50 different blends of gas to satisfy various state and local regulations, and also guarantee that production will not increase to satisfy demand because of persnickety drilling moratoriums. But most of all, they know it is a surefire way to extend the heavy hand of government deeper into our collective lives. They damn well know the Constitution provides no provision for government intrusion into the private commodity market, but they are also pretty damn sure none of us has ever read it.

The basic problem with taking profit motive away from business is that it leads to less investment by the business, which in turn lowers production, which then drives prices higher and creates shortages. For those too young or too old to remember, an idealistic young social democrat by the name of Carter implemented price controls on the oil market and worsened the late 70's gas crunch. When Reagan got government "off our back", more oil flowed and prices came back in line.

They say "History repeats". Maybe. More likely, because the nature of man has not changed much over time, people from successive generations are likely to make similar choices when placed in similar circumstances. Corporate robbers and government paladins is a game that has been played on generations of American audiences. The more that Americans look to government as a cure all, the more likely we will be waiting in line to buy things, on a designated day of the week, determined by what the first letter of our license plate is.

Sounds ridiculous in 2006, right?

VDH=The Man

I had the pleasure of attending a lecture by Victor Davis Hanson last week at Lehigh University. Dr. Hanson spoke with the sober intonation of the learned classicist rather than the emotional, knee-jerk reactionism that many "scholars" use as analytical tools in the mainstream. The one characteristic Hanson possesses that I admire greatly is the ability to look at things empirically and then use the wisdom of history to formulate opinions. Too many people have the ability to pick one example from a history text and use it justify their own personal view; Hanson has the scope of knowledge required to "see the big things big" and not be a slave to emotion and political correctness. His austerity (perhaps ingrained from being raised on a farm?) is a refreshing breeze in the stagnant halls of academia.

Personally, I found Dr. Hanson to be amiable, modest, and thoughtful. Agree or disagree with his exegeses, but pay particular attention to his methodology. The world needs more critical thinkers.

Cynthia McKinney: Victim

Looney left wing Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney is at it again. Her latest antics in hitting a D.C. cop is just one in a long string of embarrassments. None, of course, are because of her belligerent attitude and need to be important. It's that damned old nemesis, racism. The numerous press conferences she has held in the past few days have amounted to not much more than "black power" rallies. She can't stress enough the words "black" and "female" when describing the "inappropriate touching" of herself, so double points for playing the gender card as well as the race card. And now- breaking news- it seems there is a little misappropriation of taxpayer money to fly in Isaac Hayes for the dedication of McKinney's office. Will this story get a fair shake in the mainstream media? Contrast two scenerios, and the media response:
Vice President, Republican, shoots a friend, accidently. Response from the left? Demonize the man. Look past the fact that it was an accident to suggest it is proof of the careless regard the entire administration has for human life. Dress up "reporters" in hunting garb for their interview. (Remember this the next time you read a "serious" editorial by Washington Post writer Dana Milbank). Reid, Pelosi, and friends want some kind of investigation, and wonder aloud if Cheney could be charged with murder if poor old Harry dies. Now put the shoe on the Left foot:
Congresswoman, Democrat, punches a police officer, intentionally. Response? Move along, nothing to see here. McKinney, however, cannot even take her free pass and shut her mouth. Instead she has her posse perform character assasination on a working stiff who had the misfortune of being born white, and the naivety to enter a field like law enforcement, and the foolishness to believe that Cynthia McKinney is not special. Will Dana Milbank appear in a "Rocky" outfit for his next TV appearance?