Republicans want to drill. Democrats want to conserve. And everyone is terrified of appearing impotent in the face of high oil prices. Congressman Peter Defazio (D-OR) will help us sort out all the myriad gas price reduction bills on the Hill now. Thing is, Congress pretty much is impotent in the short term so … watch out for some potentially terrible legislation.

Also on the Hill … if the housing bill is confusing you, or if you had no idea there even was a housing bill, then listen to Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) explain the meat of the complex legislation. We want to know, with a skeptical furrowed brow, why all the housing industry lobbyists seem so happy about it. Isn’t that a bad thing? But Bush was against it, so … something is up.

This “relief” bill comes as a personal story that exemplifies the dangers of debt is making small headlines. Here’s the story about the mom who killed herself to prevent her house from going into foreclosure. Wow.

On a more, and perpetually, hopeful note, Barack Obama gave a thumping speech to tens of thousands (unofficial count) of supporters in Berlin. We’ll play you some highlights and discuss why exactly a candidate is touring the world like he’s President. Presumptuous? Or brilliant strategy? Also, the German PM says that Obama is “well equipped” to be President … mentally and “physically.” Really? Does she have a crush on him? That’s just weird.

Plus McCain can’t catch a break, Bush’s sneaky push for workplace toxins, frenemies, gays in the military and much much more …