Frist Bombs With $100 Gas Rebate

Bill Frist's idea to pander to voters by giving them a $100 tax rebate has died in Congress. What fellow Republicans have to say is hysterical.

"I just think that trying to satisfy voters with a $100 voucher is insulting," said Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the House majority leader. "Over the weekend, I heard about it from my constituents a few times. They thought it was stupid."

Other Republicans in the House and Senate did not mince words either.

"It was a silly idea," said Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, a member of the Republican leadership, who predicted that the rebate would not be in the final energy package when it reaches the floor.

It was a stupid idea. Frist thought he could buy off citizens. His real goal was to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil drilling. Exxon Mobil Corporation is pushing hard to open the refuge. You may remember that Exxon Mobil posted the record-breaking quarter profits of $10.7 billion. President Bush's answer to the gas crisis was to give oil companies tax breaks.

The president has supported the rolling back of some oil industry tax breaks that were enacted with his support just eight months ago. That tax break recission is part of a broader gas price-relief plan offered by the Senate Republican leadership, but House Republicans signaled this week they won't go along.

With Bush words speaker louder than actions. He won't roll back the tax cuts unless Congress passes a bill. Bush will then sit on the bill. Forever.

Flashback to Bush on the on the 2000 campaign trail. Bush said Clinton "get on the phone with the OPEC cartel and say, '[w]e expect you to open your spigots.'" I expect Bush to do nothing to help average Americans.

Update: I made a correction in the post. Thanks to Mr. C for pointing out my mistake. Bloggers when someone points out an error. Don't attack the person. Check the facts and make a correction, if needed. Acting childishly to people who disagree with your post makes you look like an idiot. Even when you are right.