Garrett and oil

[Kire]

05/9/06 - Posted from the Daily Record newsroom
Garrett and oil

Vote on price-gouging bill raises questions

Rep. E. Scott Garrett is one of those rare politicians who seems to put his principles over political expediency. While it is refreshing to see someone vote his conscience unfettered by any tempest swirling about, it also makes for votes that contrast greatly with the public mood.

Garrett, R-Wantage, last week was one of 34 House members and the only one from New Jersey to vote no on a bill to make gas-price gouging a crime. The bill calls for the Federal Trade Commission to investigate and to prosecute price gouging notwithstanding legitimate spikes in the market.

Coming as gas prices soar to $3 a gallon and oil companies post record-breaking profits, the bill makes perfect sense -- at least politically. One does not need a poll to understand that the majority of Americans have little patience with high company profits when it can cost $50 to fill your gas tank.

Garrett said through his spokeswoman that an anti-price-gouging bill that the House passed last year was better than the one adopted last week. The problem is that the bill passed in October has stalled in the Senate. The latest version has a better chance of getting approved.

More: http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060509/OPINION01/605090305/1094/COLUMNISTS

[FogerRox]

1. Garrett sucks, take 'im out ............for a walk.......

[NJ Democrats]

2. He also voted against aid for Katrina victims

He's a bastard.