Why is it that our “leaders” in the federal government feel it is their responsibility to manage the economy; and even worse, why do we seem to be willing to let them make the same mistakes over and over again?

Gas prices are extremely high right now.  No one likes it, and people are clamoring for government to do something.  The only thing government knows how to do is spend our money ineffectively. 

I know pandering is par for the course during any election, but Senators McCain and Clinton are mortgaging our economic well being on the idea of removing the gas tax for the summer.  Having just spent $50 on 13 gallons of gas I can see the appeal of such a plan in the short run; however, removing those revenues from the government’s coffers will not likely have any affect on their spending habits.  Therefore, the government will in turn have borrowed that much more money from other sources to continue their seemingly insatiable desire to increase entitlements and bail outs.

The price of oil currently is not from a lack of supply of petroleum, it’s because of the over supply of dollars.  As the government bails out corporations and discusses the bail out of upside-down mortgage holders it floods the market with cash and accumulates more debt driving the value of the dollar through the floor when compared to other leading currencies.  The price of oil isn’t going up; the value of the dollar is declining.

Repealing the gas tax, while potentially beneficial in the short run, will be a contributing factor to continued economic difficulties in the future. 

The American electorate needs to realize that there are many layers to an economic onion; but at the center is government spending (that’s the part that makes me cry). 

Our founding documents were designed to ensure life, liberty, and the PURSUIT of happiness.  No guaranties for the attainment of happiness or financial success are provided.  The federal government needs to stop trying to ensure financial well-being for all citizens and bring spending under control. 

Some businesses and households will fail, most of the time improvement comes from the lessons learned.  The federal government should “establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty”…let the market handle the rest.