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I Wonder…… April 1, 2012

If the broccoli industry had to pay for its product placement in the Supreme Court this week?

• Why our government keeps subsidizing the oil industry?  Why shouldn’t they pay the same taxes as any other industry, particularly when they are making such record profits that even some oil executives themselves are admitting that they do not need the subsidies.  These subsidies were put into place nearly one-hundred years ago when the industry was struggling.  It’s not struggling anymore.  There is simply no compelling reason not to take the subsidies away.  Even if the oil companies could pass on 100% of the additional tax to consumers (and they can’t), so what?  At least then people would be paying in proportion to their usage of the actual product.
• What is going to happen to Obamacare?  The Supreme Court heard arguments this past week primarily regarding the constitutionality of the individual mandate provision of the law.  And to hear the pundits tell it, at least that part is going to be struck down.  I am pretty sure if that part is stricken, the rest of it should be too.  It really does tie hand-in-hand with the provision that insurance companies must accept everyone regardless of pre-existing conditions.  So is the law unconstitutional?  I understand the uneasiness of being forced to buy anything from private companies (and this is why I feel that a public option needed to be included).  That said, I do not find the “broccoli” argument opponents want to use too convincing.  After all, I have never heard of anyone showing up to an emergency room in need of an urgent broccoli transfusion, nor would I anticipate there ever being a requirement that emergency rooms cannot turn away people who demand broccoli.  It’s apples and oranges…..or broccoli.
• Who would get the political advantage if part or all of Obamacare is ruled unconstitutional?  There is some thought that this would actually be to the Democrats advantage, as Republicans could no longer run on the promise of repealing Obamacare.  But I’m not so sure.  After all, this really is President Obama’s one big accomplishment.  If it goes away, I would think the Republicans should easily be able to pivot and make Obama’s effectiveness as a leader into an issue.
• If everyone shouldn’t just chill out in regards to the Trayvon Martin case?  This has become too sensational, and that’s not fair to anyone (not to Trayvon who doesn’t deserve to have his character dragged through the mud and yes, not even to George Zimmerman, who still deserves to have his day in court regardless of what facts are ultimately revealed).  Lynch mob justice is not justice.  Neither is trial by media.
• If Keith Olbermann will continue to find work?  Just a couple of days ago, he got fired yet again.  Is there anything with lower prestige than Current TV for Olbermann to fall back to?  Just as well as far as I’m concern, I do not find Olbermann’s style of arrogant self-righteousness useful to public discourse.
• Who Mitt Romney will pick as his running mate?  The good thing for Mitt is that he can’t make a worse choice than the last guy, McCain.  (I mean, he really couldn’t do worse, could he?)
• What I would do with $650 millon?  Ah, but I did not win, so I can just keep wondering.  Sigh.