Don't let hot buttons dictate policy

It is interesting how $4-a-gallon gasoline can motivate public policy changes. Energy costs, addictions to foreign oil and conservation efforts have been ignored for too long.

With the 24-hour media cycle, energy and the economy are today's hot button issues. Just like global warming, immigration, and the war in Iraq were hot button issues in past months. Energy plans are popular now that the American consumer has had enough. Entrepreneurial capitalists and politicians are throwing out ideas to solve our problems. With different motives, of course.

Personally, I have more faith in the profit motive over the motive to be re-elected. The profit motive must be supported by strong planning and an eye toward future trends. Otherwise, the company will fail.

The re-election motive takes a more shortsighted look at the issues and does not always take into account the unintended consequences, like entitlement programs on steroids. The auto companies were not motivated to produce 50-plus mpg vehicles because we consumers were willing to continue to buy our SUVs. Now with demand for SUVs waning, the auto companies are racing to provide alternative fuel vehicles and vehicles with better fuel economy.

I ask Congress not to do anything too reactionary because gasoline is the topic of the day. Try stepping away from the idea that the federal bureaucracy is the all-knowing savior to all of our crises. Bigger government is not the answer to this problem. I fear their solutions may one day lead to $100 a bushel for corn.

John Witt

Lake in the Hills