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Soy Beans Mandated in Diesel Fuel?

by Theresa Fritz Camoriano

 As the radio woke me up the other day, it said that somebody in the Kentucky legislature has proposed a law that would mandate that there be a soy bean oil additive in diesel fuel.  I hoped that I was still dreaming, but, alas, it was true.

 Even in my stupor, I understood that, if putting soy bean oil into diesel fuel made good economic sense, people would do it without being forced.  So forcing diesel suppliers to include soy bean oil in their product would mean increasing the price of the fuel -- pleasing farmers at the expense of everyone who purchases diesel fuel and everyone who purchases products that are shipped by trucks that use diesel fuel (meaning everyone).  So, I understood that this was just another case of a politician seeking to purchase of the votes of a vocal and powerful group (farmers) at the expense of the masses. 

 As I faded back to sleep, I wondered why stop with mandating soy bean oil in diesel fuel?  Surely there were other farmers' votes to be bought with other mandates.  Why not require a bourbon additive in all animal feed, so Kentucky can truly have contented cows?  And why not require a tobacco additive in school lunches, since vegetables are good for the children?

 And, of course, the politicians could mandate that there be a good serving of fine Kentucky horse manure in every bill they propose. -- Oops! Those politicians are way ahead of me again!

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