Congress to Earth: Bah Humbug!

Congress is patting itself on the back this morning for passing an energy bill that raises the fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks (long overdue), and sharply increases the amount of ethanol that fuels them (pleases a special interest -- corn producers).

Meanwhile, to satisfy the president from Big Oil, it couldn't summon the votes to strip $9 billion a year in unwarranted tax breaks from ExxonMobil and its buddies and give the subsidy to solar and wind manufacturers. It also refused to mandate that the nation's electric utilities produce 15 percent of their electricity from renewal sources within a decade.

Here's the card that should accompany the legislation as Congress sends it over to the White House for the president's signature:

Dear President Bush,

Hope your campaign supporters in the oil and utility industries and the corn lobby have a very merry Xmas and a happy new year! Make sure to invite them to the signing ceremony -- and the lobbyists, too.

Warmly,
Congress

P.S. See you in the Sunbelt over the holidays. We know where to go to get some solar (ha ha).