Gas

Today, I sat down to do the bills, and along with the bill from the gas company was an insert touting the benefits of budget billing. No biggie — I’m a fan of that.

However, as I read further on the insert, I discovered that it was not-so-quietly advocating exploitation of domestic gas fields: “Congress has been unwilling to allow adequate access to explore for new domestic sources so that these supplies can be brought to market. … The way to lower wholesale prices is for Congress to allow producers access to additional areas of supply.”

So, blame Congress if your gas bill is high? So now, there is another voice telling me how to vote. I guess if spending gobs of money on lobbyists in Washington won’t get you what you want, you blame the system, and imply that you have no fault.

We’ve become a “no fault” society — “It’s not my fault!”

In yesterday’s mail, I also got a flyer from a candidate for state office who trumpted his virtues, and was kind enough to tell me how I should vote on state initiatives that will be on the ballot. Whether he’s right or not, I find it pompous and a little too invasive for someone to be that presumptuous with my ballot.

I’ll vote, but I’ll vote my mind and my values, and let those who would sway my vote — by claiming “It’s not our fault” or “Here’s the way your ballot should look” — fall where they may.