Off the deep end

So we have officially gone off the deep end when people are actually pushing a bill to offer a $3500 tax credit for pet care. We can pay for abortions and now we can offer a credit for pet care. What's next? Legal rights for animals? Oh, wait, Cass Sunstein is pushing for that too.

A bill making the rounds on Capitol Hill marries two feel-good propositions -- tax cuts and pet ownership -- to generate a novel idea: A tax break of up to $3,500 per person for pet care expenses.

The measure is a legislative long shot. But it's been championed by a veteran Hollywood tough guy and by a conservative Michigan congressman, and has drawn the enthusiastic support of animal rights groups eager to promote pet ownership during economic down times.