Mike Kuhlmann, Las Vegas

Thu, Mar 6, 2008 (2 a.m.)

Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., again demonstrates conservative doublespeak in a Sun story on Monday (“Heller links pickup drivers, break for big oil; ending tax incentives would hit constituents at pump, he says”).

When Big Oil is accused of raising retail gasoline prices, the right-wing litany is that oil companies do not control gas prices, that they are determined by global prices, supply and demand, etc., but when it is suggested that oil company subsidies be reduced, Heller claims the companies will simply raise prices further.

When an individual or family receiving public assistance has even a very temporary income increase, benefits are immediately reduced or ended and the Hellers and Rep. Jon Porters smugly contend it’s fiscally responsible, but when it is proposed that government welfare to superrich Big Oil be reduced, they squawk: Tax increase! Tax increase!

November can’t come too soon.