Dark times for cap and trade:

Today, the concept is in wide disrepute, with opponents effectively branding it “cap and tax,” and Tea Party followers using it as a symbol of much of what they say is wrong with Washington.

Two thoughts:

• 1. Dear Tea Party followers: I know irony is not your strong suit, but I really wish you could stop decrying earmarks the stimulus the bailouts health care reform cap and trade as "a symbol of what's wrong with Washington" long enough to appreciate how blatantly you are being used.
• 2. Want to make something that's not scary sound scary? Add the word "tax" to it! Doesn't matter how nonsensical it is; it always works! Watch:

  Not scary: "Cap and trade"
  Scary: Cap and tax
  
  Not scary: "Medicare"
  Scary: Meditax
  
  Not scary: "Magazine"
  Scary: Taxazine
  
  Not scary: "Bird"
  Scary: Taxbird