Where's that kid from Hans Christian Andersen's classic The Emperor's New Clothes, now that we really need him?

You've probably heard about our power crisis, here in California. We'll have to suffer through rolling blackouts, but meanwhile, we have a golden opportunity to watch the politicians play a special kind of blame game.

Just so you'll know, their idea of "deregulation" included no caps on the wholesale price of electricity, but established caps on the retail price. Incredibly, the power companies were also prohibited from signing long term supply agreements. Thus, they had to buy on the spot market, exposing them to fluctuating market conditions, as well as good old fashioned gouging. On the other hand, the power companies had a real incentive to divest themselves of their own generating capacity. Fortunately for those of us who are customers of Los Angeles' municipal utility, the LA Department of Water and Power, this agency was prevented from selling off its crown jewels, under other laws.

Short term, a few consumers were able to save a small amount on power, based on pressure put on the companies to lower rates. And, of course, by selling off the plants, the utilities garnered huge dollars. Demand, though, was increasing rapidly, and it would all melt down.

This obvious recipe for disaster was signed into law by former Republican Governor Pete Wilson, after being endorsed by several State assembly and senate members who have MBA's. It pretty much sailed through Sacramento. Make no mistake: many, many palms were greased with utility bucks.

These days, Wilson rationalizes and maintains that he had to put "something" into play--even if imperfect. True, at the outset, several new companies did sign on to provide power in California. Sad to say, that summarizes the entire positive side of the ledger on this bill. Well, at least he's right about the "imperfect" part.

Our current governor, Democrat Gray Davis, chock full of out-of-state power providers' money, tried hiding under his desk for the longest time. Next, he concentrated blame on certain Texas companies, but it didn't resonate. This tactic was followed by trying to somehow blame the Feds. Sorry, no sale. Even the pathetic Los Angeles Times didn't pick up THAT bait.

So, here's the latest. It's up to you, the consumer, to conserve your way out of this shortage. Spoken like a true government hack.

In other words, Government is the answer. That is, until it screws up. Then, YOU'RE the answer. That's right. Give us all your money, and we'll take care of you. But, when we don't, you'll just have to make do. Suddenly, it's back to the pioneer spirit! The socialists and Gramsci commies become temporary libertarians. California transforms into a third world country overnight, and few seem to notice. For those of us who do, you can cut the cognitive dissonance with a knife.

Not that Government is the only institution that suffers from this affliction.

Local rabbi David Wolpe caused a big stir last month when he proclaimed that the Exodus story never happened, based on the lack of archeological evidence. Leave it to an overschooled, undereducated fool to come up with something like that. Forget about 5000 years of oral tradition, and swear allegiance to physical evidence. If your Torah is not divinely inspired, then what's the point? Would it bother Wolpe that the theory of evolution is not at all supported by the current fossil record?

Never mind, either, that without Exodus, there is no Judaism.

But, here's the best part. Wolpe lectures on this subject at his SINAI Temple. Among other things, the book of Exodus describes the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. If Exodus never happened, how, idiot boy, do you explain the significance of the name of your Temple? Or better yet, why didn't you change it?

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