Make that me and federal government. (not that I like being lumped with the goverment)
In May 1999, the Office of Policy, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), asked the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to prepare an update of EIA's 1992 Service Report on Federal energy subsidies, using a more specific definition of "subsidies" provided by the Office of Policy. In its letter of request, the Office of Policy asked the EIA to examine Federal programs that provided a "specific financial benefit" covering "primary energy only."
Federal energy subsidies take three principal forms:
* Direct Payments to Producers or Consumers. These are Federal programs that directly affect the energy industry and for which the Federal Government provides a direct financial benefit. Currently, three energy programs provide direct payments to producers or consumers. Two of them focus on energy end use, and are excluded from this study. The third program is the Renewable Energy Production Incentive.
* Tax Expenditures. Tax expenditures are provisions in the tax code that reduce the tax liability of firms or individuals who take specified actions that affect energy production, consumption, or conservation in ways deemed to be in the public interest.
* Research and Development. R&D expenditures do not directly affect current energy production and prices, but if successful they could affect future production and prices. An example of the impact of Federal energy R&D is the important role that Federal R&D spending has had in the development of the U.S. commercial nuclear power industry.
Fine. Therefore, the Federal government IS the bully who takes everyone's lunch money.
Also, if you itemize, I'm sure you'll agree that ...
1. the Federal government has subsidized every home mortgage you've ever had.
2. the Federal government has subsidized all the charitable contributions you've ever claimed.
3. the Federal government has subsidized all the real estate and other property taxes you've paid.
In summary, the Federal government has subsidized everything for which you've ever taken a tax deduction.