I know some people believe the president has taken over all private business, socializing all of us into little robots working for the man. Alas, the federal government doesn't seem to have a team of oil engineers ready to dive down a mile into the ocean carrying sacks of concrete in their back-packs to plug the leaking pipes. Sure, Obama has a Navy and a Coast Guard, but they do not have the expertise nor the experience to stop an oil leak. But should the federal government really be expected to have in place a company to take over for the private businesses that currently operate drilling companies badly? I thought this is why we have private companies for?

But how should Government respond to this disaster? Better regulation in the future? You bet. Litigation and perhaps criminal prosecution for damages and possible criminal negligence regarding the oil leak? You betcha. Change in policy regarding offshore drilling? Yes, yes, yes. Federal aid immediately to help devastated industry in the Gulf? Yes. Federal aid to mitigate environmental damage and clean up the mess as much as possible? Yes, along with efforts to make BP and TransOcean pay.

But short of sending Joe Biden down a mile to blow hot air into the blow out preventer, I don't know what people expect government to be able to do to directly stop the oily, unfolding disaster. Government cannot stop the winds, plug all leaks and correct all errors mad by private contractors in the middle of a damn ocean