Symbolism, Sympathy, and the Boutique Fuel Reduction Act

via Symbolism and sympathy: Obama's risky gasoline strategy

To ease voter angst, analysts said Obama has to show his concern -- a feeling the White House is eager to project -- even though his options are limited.

"What you try to do is basically show that, hey, I've noticed," said Mark Hansen, a political science professor at the University of Chicago.

"It's largely symbolic. It's more an expression of concern than anything that's going to have a substantive effect on prices that people are paying at the pump."

ahem...it seems like passing S. 511 Boutique Fuel Reduction ActA bill to amend the Clean Air Act to provide for a reduction in the number of boutique fuels, and for other purposes might be a step towards a more efficient market for cheaper gas. At least it's more than a statement of feeling our pain.