Reason #428 why I'm giving up on the system

First, the Senate renews the wire-tap law. Bush threatens to veto, so they give him the exact version of the bill he wanted. It doesn't surprise me, but it frustrates me. On Saturday, Congress passed H.R. 1498 which included a $20/month tax credit for bicycle commuters. It's not much, but it's something. Thanks. Who knew y'all were actually paying attention. But on the floor "debates" Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-10th NC) made a speech that leaves me without words. An excerpt:

A major component of the Democrats’ energy legislation and the Democrats’ answer to our energy crisis is, hold on, wait one minute, wait one minute, it is promoting the use of the bicycle.

Oh, I cannot make this stuff up. Yes, the American people have heard this. Their answer to our fuel crisis, the crisis at the pumps, is: Ride a bike.

Democrats believe that using taxpayer funds in this bill to the tune of $1 million a year should be devoted to the principle of: “Save energy, ride a bike.”

Some might argue that depending on bicycles to solve our energy crisis is naive, perhaps ridiculous. Some might even say Congress should use this energy legislation to create new energy, bring new nuclear power plants on line, use clean coal technology, energy exploration, but no, no.

They want to tell the American people, stop driving, ride a bike. This is absolutely amazing.

Apparently, the Democrats believe that the miracle on two wheels that we know as a bicycle will end our dependence on foreign oil. I cannot make this stuff up. It is absolutely amazing.

Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you the Democrats, promoting 19th century solutions to 21st century problems. If you don’t like it, ride a bike. If you don’t like the price at the pumps, ride a bike.

Stay tuned for the next big idea for the Democrats: Improving energy efficiency by the horse and buggy.

I can't believe this guy is a member of the United States House of Representatives. Actually, I take that back, I can. I can believe it and that, dear readers, is what saddens me. The bicycle is, arguably, one of, if not the most efficient complex machine ever created.

Regardless, my question for Rep. McHenry is this: what's your solution? Rather than telling us why something is a bad idea, give us a better idea. This is the problem with politics, repeating what's wrong vs. talking about solutions.

Comments

[Dagny]

I agree with you that the representative's comments are ignorant. I also wish politicians would stop ripping on ideas and start solving the problems they all complain about! :) It is why I do not believe on relying on the government. Politics and power apparently make smart people become dumb once elected.

[Dagny]

I agree with you that the representative's comments are ignorant. I also wish politicians would stop ripping on ideas and start solving the problems they all complain about! :) It is why I do not believe on relying on the government. Politics and power apparently make smart people become dumb once elected.

[Dagny]

I agree with you that the representative's comments are ignorant. I also wish politicians would stop ripping on ideas and start solving the problems they all complain about! :) It is why I do not believe on relying on the government. Politics and power apparently make smart people become dumb once elected.