The Law of Unintended Consequences strikes Congress again. It would help if they just read the laws they pass. Even better, they could try to figure out how people will change their behavior in response to the law. Congress seems to like the idea of social engineering, but they often misjudge how people will react. Generally people respond to improve their personal situation, but not always. Scotch-Irish people in particular do not always respond in just their own best narrow economic interest, but often respond with antipathy to big government initiatives. Thus, Democrats try to figure out "What's Wrong with Kansas."

The story of the black liquor used for fuel in Paper plants reminds of a paper mill on the Angelina River when I was a boy. The Angelina River water looked like ink downstream of the paper mill. The water is clear now. Apparently using the black liquor for fuel was a win-win situation. It was great of Congress to vote the paper mill operators a subsidy for doing something they were already doing.