From The Seattle Times
Editorial

Fast-rising gas prices are prompting President Bush and Congress to fall over one another with shortsighted ideas for dealing with the crisis.

The Democrats’ earlier idea to offer $500 rebates to taxpayers to compensate for soaring prices is dumber (only by $400) than the Republicans’ idea for $100 rebates for the same purpose. A government with uncontrolled deficit spending can ill afford to dole out feel-good happy checks. Taxpayers receiving those checks would know government would be spending money it doesn’t have.

Republicans try to capitalize on rising gas prices by pushing once again — when do they stop? — for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. It is not smart to make long-term strategy for a relatively small amount of oil amid a price crisis.

The $100 rebate is included in the same proposal that includes drilling in ANWR. Are we really going to buy public policy by offering motorists a C-note in exchange for fouling a pristine wilderness?

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