Don’t you just love the GOP plan to give every taxpayer a $100 gas “rebate”? Having given the oil companies vastly expensive and totally unneeded tax breaks, the Republicans are now turning on a dime (as it were) and throwing money at the public.

This is a boneheaded idea in so many ways.

First, as policy it makes no sense. The federal government can’t just give money to people every time a commodity goes up in price. (So much for the free market!) The knowledge that the government will subsidize prices actually encourages producers to raise them. (Same thing with the asinine policy of giving tax breaks to people who buy hybrid cars.)

Second, it does nothing to address the causes of the problem.

Third, it’s fiscally irresponsible.

Fourth—and this may be most depressing—it sends a terrible message to the country. There is no talk from Republicans of why citizens should use less energy, cut back on gas-guzzling SUVs, take public transportation when possible, and realize that every citizen is a participant in energy policy. There is nothing having to do with shared sacrifice. No one is saying, “Use less gas”—just, “Here, here’s some spending money.” The Republicans want to make us like dogs sniffing around the dinner table, hoping that some scraps will get tossed in our direction. This is not the way to make our country stronger.

And, of course, all this essentially constitutes a bribe in the months before the midterm elections.

I wonder if it will work?