The whole tenor of the Bush’s administration’s energy policy sounds creepier every day. Now we have Bush telling us that if we can avoid going “on a trip that’s not essential, that would be helpful.” This is his proposal on how “we can all pitch in.” As the New York Times points out, this is reversal from past administration statements. How far Bush is willing to take this will be determined by events. If he really believes his Will alone will bring about reduced consumption, and also believes that raising prices in an emergency is price gouging for which he will have “zero tolerance for people breaking the law,” the next step of price control seems not too much of a stretch.
Is that trip essential? Who decides?
