Jewish World Review May 4, 2006 / 6 Iyar, 5766

That $100 was yours to begin with

By Tucker Carlson

http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | There's good news from Washington. It turns out, not every dumb idea becomes law in the end. The plan to ease gas prices by sending out $100 checks to drivers has died. As House Majority leader John Boehner pointed out today, the idea was insulting.

And it was. Consider the reasoning behind it. Each year the average person pays about a hundred bucks in federal taxes on gasoline. Rather than simply lower or eliminate that tax, Congress planned to collect the money, run it through the bureaucracy a few times and send it back to you.

Why? Because sending you the check might leave you with the impression Congress had given you a gift. A present. Like Christmas. You might forget that it was your money to begin with. You earned it, most likely by driving to work every day. And it was that very drive — probably long, unpleasant and frustrating — that lawmakers are profiting from every time you fill your tank. All so they can return your money to you, so that you'll have the opportunity to feel grateful to them for their compassion.

And the worst part is, you might not even notice. That's how deep the Stockholm syndrome is.

So next time, do notice. And don't thank Congress for whatever they give you. It was yours to begin with.