EDITORIAL - When asked to provide the name of a credible economist who backs up her proposed gas tax suspension this summer, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton responded by linking economists to “the elite”, and summarily dismissed the challenge.

George Stephanopoulos asked the question of Clinton during an airing of ABC's “This Week” on Sunday. The ploy, of course, was to attract so-called “working class Americans” to the side of Hillary Clinton, who evidently believes that those who disagree with her positions are among the illustrious “elite”.

I, then, am of the elite, but that comes as news to me. Unfortunately, I was under the impression that these short-term politically correct policies that do absolutely nothing to resolve our dependence on middle eastern oil or to provide alternative sources of energy were merely nonsense mechanisms to play for more votes come November. But apparently, I am a member of the elite. How lovely. How simple.

Obama, whom I happen to agree with on this particular issue, described the temporary tax suspension as a “classic Washington gimmick”, and likened it to pandering for votes. But Obama is not clear and dry either. He told a Fort Wayne, Indiana audience that “we're in this together”, referring to the rising cost of gasoline prices. But when taxpayers pick up the gas tab for our elected representatives who drive luxury automobiles, how can any politician honestly claim that we're in this together – at least with a straight face?

Sadly, the discourse surrounding energy prices consists of nothing more than politicians being politicians. Clinton and McCain both support temporary measures that may save Americans a few cents a gallon, and Obama favors tax rebates, another “Washington gimmick” the Illinois senator hopes will translate into votes – and has the gal to preach to an audience of supporters that he feels their pain.