PANDERING FOR DUMMIES….I realize that high gasoline prices bring out the worst in everybody, but Senate Republicans have surely given new meaning to the word “pandering” with today’s proposal:
Most American taxpayers would get $100 rebate checks to offset the pain of higher pump prices for gasoline, under an amendment Senate Republicans hope to bring to a vote Thursday….”Our plan would give taxpayers a hundred dollar gas tax holiday rebate check to help ease the pain that they’re feeling at the pump,” Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist announced Thursday.
A hundred dollar rebate! It’s bad economics, bad policy, bad optics, and the palpable stink of election-year desperation all rolled into one fetid package. But at least it’s means tested!
Frist said the rebates would go to single taxpayers making less than $125,000 per year, and couples making less than $150,000.
Whew. For a minute there I thought they were just being frivolous about this. But as long as Bill Gates doesn’t get a rebate check, sign me up.
