Putting lipstick on a pig

Some time back, we reported on a problem caused by the fact that some of the fuel pumps now in use were never designed to show a fuel price as high as the ones we’re facing.

Some states are dealing with it by allowing stations to show the price for a half gallon.

Needless to say, that brought in some calls from truckers, one of whom thought it was so silly that he laughed at the idea. Isn’t it funny, he said, that our lawmakers would step up to help out the very people who are charging us over $4 a gallon for fuel.

I thought the whole mess was a hoot, too.

I suppose we could be angry – everyone has a right to be – but it’s not like we all need something else to raise our blood pressure.

I will say this: At least the states allowing this are putting in some protections, such as requiring those stations to clearly mark on the pumps that the price is for only a half gallon.

On the other hand, that’s a little like putting lipstick on a pig.

But that trucker had a good point. Wouldn’t it be nice if those same state lawmakers who are so interested in helping small fuel businesses cope were just as willing to help small trucking businesses?

You might want to make a quick call to your state lawmakers and point that out. It never hurts to remind them that we’re out there.