In the continuing slow crash that is Stephen Harper's political career, he opened the new sitting of Parliament with one message: ignore corporate gouging!

Opposition Leader Stephen Harper led off in the House of Commons Monday by saying that consumers have been suffering at the pumps all summer. He asked the government to cut gas taxes. "On this issue ... Canadians have seen nothing other than 100 days of inaction from the government. Rather than continue to rake in record-high revenues from record-high oil prices, will the government simply cut gas taxes for consumers?"

Simple is such a good word for Harper - like his deft touch with wearing a grey suit combo. Nevermind the opportunist price gouging by the gasoline trade, nevermind the panic jittery price sign switchery has brought to the market. Blame taxes, the dependent and fixed percentage component, not the independent golf course discussion controlled factor. Because you know it's the taxes that have fuelled the wild price fluxuations. The taxes. Thanks for clearing that up Stephen. And once, say, three cents of taxes are removed and the price stays the same because no one - but Old Grannie McEsso perhaps - believes anything else will happen...what then, oh economic guru of the right?

Good to see that New Jersey is not taking that approach.