OK. I’m a liberal. A ‘cradle liberal’, born in Marin. So let’s be clear on where I come from.

I believe that one of the main functions of government is to create a level playing field for the rest of us to–er- play on. A field that supports us and improves our lives and is borne by all. I support, for example, the idea that new home buyers should pay a tax to build necessary infrastructure to support that shiney new home, even though I make a living serving real estate developers.

And what those developers don’t get is this- as long as the rules apply to everyone, then the rules are building a better country. And same goes for auto standards.

Let the gov set fuel standards and we all benefit. And before you know it the car makers will be using new fuel efficiency as a sales tool, same as they do now about safety [remember how they squealed over requiring seat belts?].

Sheesh. I just can’t see the other side of this argument. I’ve tried.