Wagging the dog

Just a few hundred years ago, leading scientific minds believed that the planet was flat. Since that time -- and even well before then -- scientists have disputed one set of claims after another. What we have been left with in many cases is nothing more than really sophisticated storytelling because, in many cases, there just isn't a whole lot of "science" to it.

I am usually quick to discredit unsubstantiated claims; which is why I have little to no use for conspiracy theories. I know several people who believe any number of things: man never really landed on the moon, George W. Bush is a Muslim extremist (after all, Jenna is a Muslim name), and that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.

Actually, I would like to stop on that one for now. The very fact that the government still, to this day, so vigorously works to prove that Oswald acted alone -- despite the sheer impossibility of the claim, given the evidence we have -- makes me wonder just how stupid the government thinks we really are.

I recently have been dwelling on that question even more than I used to.

Let your mind drift back to the late 90s. Prior to the whole Clinton/Lewinski/Kosovo ordeal, a movie hit the theaters with screen-giants Robert DeNiro and Dustin Hoffman. The movie was called "Wag the Dog."

Though its success at the box office was moderate, it received a revived interest after the Clinton/Lewinsky thing broke because there were things in the movie (which was made well before the scandal) that were eerily similar. This was seemingly a case of life imitating art; but, I wonder, was it really?

Not long after everyone noted the odd similarities between the movie and reality I started to wonder whether or not we, as a country, were being tested. I thought to myself: "What if the government is using this as a test of our resolve?" The very fact that no one stood up and demanded an explanation for real life almost exactly duplicating movie would be enough to encourage any politician to try anything.

It is with this thought in mind that I can't help but shuffle towards the conspiracy-theorist side of things. The reason, quite simply, is because, despite a change of administrations, our government has continued to run rough-shod all over us. We keep getting slammed with one stupid thing after another.

Take, for instance, a recent news event and a disturbing report I recently read.

Recently, Americans everywhere were outraged at the fact that oil companies posted record profits. Our legislators responded by holding some hearings on the matter; but, I said then as I do now, it was all smoke and mirrors - and here is why.

On Friday, I read a piece concerning a financial suggestion made to our leaders. In short, a study was commissioned to see where some money could be generated for the Federal Highway Fund. Apparently, the study concluded that the fund was running short and that something needs to happen to boost that money.

Apparently, one of the more viable alternatives being considered is taxing hybrid and other fuel-efficient vehicles to pick up the drop in that money.

Uh, maybe it's just me, but does anyone else see any dots worth connecting here? We are currently paying 18.4 cents a gallon on gasoline at the pumps to go into the Federal Highway Fund. Think about how much money you spend each week to fuel your vehicle. Multiply that by the rest of the country. Didn't our current administration start offering tax breaks to people who would purchase SUVs -- a type of vehicle that sucks down gas at anywhere from 10-15 miles per-gallon?

Tax breaks for a vehicle that is not fuel-efficient? A proposed tax on those who would conserve fuel and conserve their money? All for funds that are directly marked for a federal fund? Is anyone home? Am I alone with the head-scratching still?

Would you like to know some more mind-bending facts? Do you remember reading about the "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska? Remember all the fanfare that followed the announcement that the funding for the project was eliminated? Guess what? Money for it is still part of Alaska's share of federal highway dollars. The cost of that project totals $223 million.

Why is the recommendation not in place that our legislators be more responsible with our tax-dollars? Why is the suggestion not put into place that our leaders stop using our tax dollars to by votes? Why, instead are they looking at taxing owners of fuel-efficient vehicles? Why? Because they can.

Our government has grown so pompous that, unless you are worth a few million dollars and have some political clout, you really don't matter. Your vote is only worth something during an election cycle and means little else at any other time. One voice doesn't scare a politician. In fact, a few hundred voices doesn't scare a politician. After all, when you can buy votes, someone who simply wants an equitable system of government but has no money to contribute really means nothing in the long-run.

It has gotten to the point that the government really doesn't try to hide too much anymore. Quite simply, because people don't say anything about it. Just like the Democrats recently invoking a closed-session rule in the Senate - despite this little thing we call the Sunshine Law. We were told the discussion had to do with the situation in Iraq. Well, that is not covered under provisions of the Sunshine Law and, therefore, is not material for a closed session.

Yet, everyone keeps quiet.

Folks, things will only continue to get worse unless we take action. By that I mean writing letters, making phone calls, visiting with your representatives and letting your feelings be known. The majority of Americans don't like being pushed around and taken advantage of, so, for the love of God, fight back. Do something about it.

It is only when a few voices become a few thousand and then a few million voices that our leaders will listen. Until such a thing happens, the tail will continue to wag the dog and we will continue to lose our footing in this republic; and the empire will continue to grow. It's a simple choice, really; so, what's it going to be?

Jonathon Dawe can be reached via e-mail at jbdawe@dailystatesman.com