[Specop_007]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PrairieMule', 'J')ust like a fancy date to a French resturaunt, sometimes the unsavory types have certain expectations that come with a $100 dinner. I suspect metaphorically this will be no different for us.

[Dreamtwister]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mekrob', 'H')ow about: $15 billion could buy for more than 15 MILLION homes to switch from fossil fuel based heating/cooling systems to clean, renewable, free geothermal energy for a lifetime. Hell, if you're buying 15 MILLION units, I think you can get a discount and make that 20 million, which is about a quarter of the homes, saving 2% of our energy use, or about 6-8% of our electricity needs.

[mekrob]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Specop_007', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PrairieMule', 'J')ust like a fancy date to a French resturaunt, sometimes the unsavory types have certain expectations that come with a $100 dinner. I suspect metaphorically this will be no different for us.

[emersonbiggins]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mekrob', 'D')on't forget the ploy with hybrid cars. First they have discounts for the first few that get them, and now they want to tax those cars because they don't pay their 'fair' share of gas taxes. How the fuck do you TAX a TAX CREDIT? My head is about to explode (which is right where the tear in the universe is about to be at).

[DantesPeak]

As usual, government proposals on energy like this have the effect of increasing energy use. In addition, this changes the debate on PO from an energy availability problem to a money probelm, at least for Americans.

And where exactly does all this money come that the US government is spending or plans to spend? Entirely from foreigners. Foreign central banks and governmental institutions are buying about 100% of US government debt. While the US dollar regime holds up, the US runs current account deficits approaching $1 trillion per year. In this position, the US will be the last to feel the effects of PO - by outbidding the rest of the world with an unlimited supply of paper US dollars.

[Novus]

The US may be last to feel the effects of PO but when that day of reckoning finially does come America will be hit harder then any other country because we have done exactly zip to prepare for it.

[Eddie_lomax]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('emersonbiggins', ':')roll:

Let's see... a $100 rebate for higher gas costs amounts to an annual discount of 13 cents/gallon (assuming gas is $3) per taxpayer. Giving away "free money" is always a nice gesture as it consists of a good amount of pandering and contributes nothing in the way of effort towards any real solution.

[web]http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/04/27/gas.rebate/index.html[/web]

[dinopello]

Actually, if you have pre-working-age children, give them a big hug and a thank you cause that $100 is coming from them.

[DantesPeak]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Novus', 'T')he US may be last to feel the effects of PO but when that day of reckoning finially does come America will be hit harder then any other country because we have done exactly zip to prepare for it.

[aflatoxin]

The $100 might be the much talked about helicopters in disguise. It might be a means to dispense a litle bit more funny money into circulation, and increase interest rates a little bit a the same time.

The government has been subsidizing oil producers for years. I'm curious to explore the possibility of continuing the subsidies, but on the consumer end instead. Obviously, they may not go directly to the oil industry, but in the end, more money will go there anyways.

This is a bandaid being applied where a tourniquet is clearly needed.

[jdmartin]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('dinopello', 'A')ctually, if you have pre-working-age children, give them a big hug and a thank you cause that $100 is coming from them.

[HonestPessimist]

Guys, take the $100 free money from the mommy government and re-invest that money into an American energy independence trust so we could develop and shape the American future nearly free of oil-dependence.

[Bleep]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('TracerBullet', 'H')ey, I don't own a car

[PenultimateManStanding]

I can't see that there's any chance that the politicians are going to raise the gas tax. The Public would scream bloody murder and kick all their asses out of a job. Some may think that it's the rational thing to do and you may be right but just look at what they are doing. Bush has suspended shipments to the SPR. That means that the politics of gas prices is more important than any other consideration. He's joined by others in Washington who want to suggest we do things that won't help. no es bueno, cabron

[emersonbiggins]

What the public sees today: high gas prices.
What the public sees 5 years from now: potholes and surface deterioration on major interstates and highways, with recent projects never completed - all because the gas tax failed to keep up with rising costs and the advent of PO.

I'm not lamenting the public's decision. Their death grip on the cheaply-fueled automobile will ultimately end in tragedy. Few, if any, have the foresight to see the writing on the wall and are gladly trading the very future of the motorized utopia for a few months of affordable gas. Perfect irony, I say.

[Brownie]

In Alberta, we got $400.00 check for every resident with a hint of more cheques to come. Since you have an election this November, hold out for the highest bidder. Your politicians can surely top ours.

[JoeCoal]

Dumbest. Gimmick. EVER!!!

=======

Especially when you consider that the money will just be borrowed and printed, adding to inflation and reducing the value of all the dollars already in existence.

The Moron who proposed this obviously has no clue how money works.

OR has no idea that Money is completely broken.

OR knows exactly what's happening and is just suppressing the Bleating of the Sheeple (tm)

Take your pick...

[jaws]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JoeCoal', 'D')umbest. Gimmick. EVER!!!

=======

Especially when you consider that the money will just be borrowed and printed, adding to inflation and reducing the value of all the dollars already in existence.

The Moron who proposed this obviously has no clue how money works.

OR has no idea that Money is completely broken.

OR knows exactly what's happening and is just suppressing the Bleating of the Sheeple (tm)

Take your pick...

[BitterSweetCrude]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('jaws', 'H')ave you never met a politician before?