This may be a little arcane but it's an example unintended consequences of government action

http://www.fuel-testers.com/ethanol_fuel_disadvantages.html

This hit me the other day. A large dead tree fell near the house and I went to cut it up to give away as firewood. Obviously, this requires a chain saw. No problem. I went and got my trusty Stihl 025 16" long bar saw and prepared for a couple of hours of exercise. I must say that I enjoy the physical and mental challenge.

This is where the story gets sad. After setting up I go to start the chain saw and it won't start. I do all the things necessary to start it. But, no dice. I pull the plug and make sure it's not flooded. I change the spark plug even though the one in there was not used for more then about two hours. Still no running engine. I do every little thing I've learned over the years but nothing.

So, today I trundle off to my local Stihl dealer to figure out what's up. I tell him about my problem and he takes it to the back room be he too has no success until he drains the fuel and puts in fresh fuel. Bang, two pull and the engine roars to life. The problem stale fuel. How could that be? I filled my 1 gallon gas can just two months ago with fresh fuel and 2 stroke oil. Well as you will see from reading the article linked above the ethanol blend required in California has a much shorter shelf life then non ethanol fuels. The fuel in the tank might last longer then the fuel in the chain saw's fuel tank because the gas can is sealed while the saw is not.

Read the article because it not only affects small motors but has some bad consequences for your auto motor. Now this is all happening with a 10% ethanol blend. But, that's soon to change to 15% and the results will be catastrophic. To use the leftist mantra it will hurt the poor most, it certainly will. The poor own the oldest cars and those least capable of surviving the onslaught of 15% ethanol fuel. Got an historic, classic or older muscle car you will either have to find alternative sources of non ethanol fuel (probably illegal in most state) or put it up on a pedestal.

Remember ethanol was the cure for MTBE, that other government sponsored disaster.

I know this government is hostile to the auto and the mobility it provides the population. In the name of the environment and other such distractions, they are pushing us to a place where the government will decide if you can go someplace you want to because it will be too expensive. Do you think these statists would mind forcing you to live and work where they decide you should. Like that wonderful place call China you'll need a permit to move, government approval to change jobs. It's what the left here now call state capitalism. Communism with a smiley face. Thinks it's absurd. It's what Obamacare is. Sure the government will sell its shares of GM to the public but as we've already seen with Chryslers bondholders the rights of capital are subservient to the governments whims. If Obama could fire the President of a publicly held company you've already blurred the line between government and private interests. The government's excuse as always will be it's for the good of the country.

How much freedom are you willing to give up?