FOR THE RICH ANOTHER...MASSIVE TAX BREAK; EGAD!!...that's MTBE

Okay, it's methyl teritaiary butyl ether or MTBE for short; the additive added to gasoline by the oil industry to curb air pollution and make the air cleaner as it facilitates the burning of gasoline in one's car. Now however, as a suspected carcinogen and blamed for increases in asthma cases; 17 States including New York and Connecticut have banned or are phasing out MTBE. New Jersey is not one and simply has no plans to limit MTBE use.

The fact is, that with an MTBE gas spill there is substantially more difficulty and of course cost in the clean up. This because the additive bonds to water and moves quickly through the ground. In fact, a 1997-98 study found that about 15% of community water systems tested in New Jersey tested positive for MTBE. It should be noted that according to the Atlantic County Health Department MTBE is not something that is normally tested for or done as a part of water quality testing by the County. Benzene, a proven carcinogen and other volatile chemicals is what is tested for when a gas tank leak is suspected, not MTBE in New Jersey.

BUSH THE LESSER and the Republicans have crafted an Energy Bill that not only gives massive tax breaks to his Texas cronies and other wealthy oil men, but also shockingly contains a retroactive granting to manufactures of MTBE (mostly Texas oil cronies) immunity from being sued for cleanup or contamination costs. According to one source, this in effect "represents a huge new tax on citizens, because the average citizen is going to end up paying for cleanup."

As John Milton noted: HYPOCRISY, THE ONLY EVIL THAT WALKS INVISIBLE, EXCEPT TO GOD ALONE. The Republic CON is to talk about a belief in the market, but in fact, to act to protect their wealthy business contributors from honest litigation when they act irresponsibly and further to pass all costs and burdens financial and health on to the middle class and see to it that the wealthy avoid paying their fair share or for their mistakes. FALSE FACE MUST HIDE WHAT THE FALSE HEART DOTH KNOW. (Shakespeare)