Acts of government

The US Congress has passed a measure that seeks to tax bonuses paid to employees of firms receiving federal bailout money. The public seems pleased that the government has decided to "crackdown" on this untasteful use of taxpayer money. Everything seems okay with the legislators in passing this bill, because, well, all their constituents are for this action.

Yet it troubles me greatly to see that the members of Congress feel it is okay to pass laws that specifically punish a select group of people. How is this action different from Congress passing a law that taxes people who own guns at a higher rate than people who don't have a firearm registered in their names? Or Asians of Chinese descent? It seems like the difference lies entirely in the public perception - that the lynch mod outside the halls of Congress are clamoring for blood and the legislators are content to supply it.

How long until these congressmen/women realize that their job is not solely to do what the people outside their door are asking them to do, but that it is to make the world outside a better place for the people. And sometimes, that means making hard decisions and taking a stand sometimes.

Of couse, I am not against getting the money back myself. But the effort to do so may be a distraction around the issue of who let these bonuses be paid out in the first place.