C.A.R.S.
Submitted by Peter O'Brien on August 3, 2009 - 8:25am
Since the government has found it in their infinite wisdom to pay people $4500 for buying a new car with slightly better gas mileage, I am making a wishlist of other things I want them to give me money for.
Everytime I put gas in my tank, I want 50% back since I am stimulating the oil market.
When I buy groceries, I want 25% of my money returned to me since I am helping shopping cart attendants keep their jobs after the increase in minimum wage.
If I eat a hamburger instead of a hotdog, I would like a $5 rebate since hotdogs are heated twice before consumption.
I have a small garden, where is my farm subsidy? I am not getting any income from it at all.
I need a new electrical riser for my house, will the federal government help pay for it to keep potential fire damage and the cost associated with it from affecting the local fire department? Just think how much carbon dioxide is thrown into the air from a house fire and the trucks that respond to them.
If I choose to have an led campfire instead of actually burning wood, do I get some cash?
As a private citizen can I have carbon credits that I can sell to businesses when Cap and Trade is passed or does that only apply to other legal entities such as businesses?
This may all seem ridiculous but so is paying someone $4500 for going out, buying a $200 junker, that leaks oil but has been on the road and insured for the past year and gets 5 MPG, and replacing it with a car that cost $8000 from Korea.
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August 3, 2009 - 12:28pm
#2
Yeah, boosting the auto industry and saving a few thousand jobs in a recession is such a dumb thing to do.
From AP this morning:
"Lured by the government's cash-for-clunkers campaign, car and truck buyers started to return to Ford Motor Co. showrooms last month, with the automaker reporting its first U.S. sales increase in nearly two years."
August 3, 2009 - 12:41pm
#3
"buying a $200 junker, that leaks oil but has been on the road and insured for the past year and gets 5 MPG"
If it gets that bomb off the road it might save hundreds of thousands of dollars from a potential breakdown and wreck. I have no problem with this program other than I know they will run out of money before I can trade my bomb in.
August 3, 2009 - 2:52pm
#4
"Yeah, boosting the auto industry and saving a few thousand jobs in a recession is such a dumb thing to do."
It is when you are on a spending spree the likes of which the world has never seen before. Obama is giving away your hard earned cash. Don't think that this is saving jobs. Its already a bankrupt program and if the bill doesn't pass in the senate then it will have done nothing long term. Just like the cop jobs in Wisconsin Obama saved for a couple months before they were let go, the jobs that might have been spared from a quick little spurt of auto purchasing will be lost soon too.
August 3, 2009 - 2:54pm
#5
George,
This is another program that is taking money from you pocket and giving it to someone else. In this case it is someone who is buying a government approved vehicle. If this program continues to be funded, you can say good bye to innovations in pickup trucks because the casual car buyer will settle for a sedan to get the $4500 instead of the pickup they were going to buy.
August 3, 2009 - 3:00pm
#6
Now this from Fox News
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/03/clunkers-critics-question-ext...
But there was never a mandate in the original legislation that said the program had to last until November. "Program runs through Nov 1, 2009 or when the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first," reads the government Web site for the "clunkers" program. The exhaustion of funds simply came before the expiration date. Republicans are suggesting it's too late to change the allocation now. "I just think this is a great example of the stupidity that's coming out of Washington right now," Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said on "FOX News Sunday," adding that the Senate needs to "slow this thing down." "We estimated this would cost $1 billion," DeMint said. "Now they're saying we need $2 billion more. Our children and grandchildren can't afford to make these car dealers well right now." Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has threatened to block the bill. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, in prepared remarks, said Monday that the lifeline request just shows how poor the original spending estimates were. Though supporters are talking about pulling the additional $2 billion from existing stimulus funds, that hasn't quelled Republican concerns. McConnell spokesman Don Stewart said that cash is still "borrowed money." "They can say it's paid for, but it's paid for with a credit card. ... It's like making your minimum payment through a cash advance of another credit card," he said.
Why does it always take losing power in congress for the Republicans to get fiscally conservative again?
But there was never a mandate in the original legislation that said the program had to last until November. "Program runs through Nov 1, 2009 or when the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first," reads the government Web site for the "clunkers" program. The exhaustion of funds simply came before the expiration date. Republicans are suggesting it's too late to change the allocation now. "I just think this is a great example of the stupidity that's coming out of Washington right now," Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said on "FOX News Sunday," adding that the Senate needs to "slow this thing down." "We estimated this would cost $1 billion," DeMint said. "Now they're saying we need $2 billion more. Our children and grandchildren can't afford to make these car dealers well right now." Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has threatened to block the bill. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, in prepared remarks, said Monday that the lifeline request just shows how poor the original spending estimates were. Though supporters are talking about pulling the additional $2 billion from existing stimulus funds, that hasn't quelled Republican concerns. McConnell spokesman Don Stewart said that cash is still "borrowed money." "They can say it's paid for, but it's paid for with a credit card. ... It's like making your minimum payment through a cash advance of another credit card," he said.
Why does it always take losing power in congress for the Republicans to get fiscally conservative again?
August 3, 2009 - 3:43pm
#7
John McCain is the man who introduced Sarah Palin to America. Shame on that dirty Old Man.
August 3, 2009 - 4:55pm
#8
How is this program not communist? Government provided incentive to buy cars from companies owned by the government and the union workers. But I'm just a dumbass from Leroy NY who doesn't know anything. I know a clusterphuck when I see one, and the Obama express is just that, one big clusterphuck!
August 3, 2009 - 6:03pm
#9
Don't worry-everybody will be in the poor house in a few years.I wonder how many tent cities will pop up in NYS in a few years.
August 3, 2009 - 6:53pm
#10
You know what's funny Bob- I just saw the old movie" Grapes of Wrath" with Henry Fonda a couple of nights ago. Scary that this could happen in the abomination that is the Obamanation.
August 3, 2009 - 7:15pm
#11
Bud, if it didn't happen under Bush it's not going to happen. Now, I'm not saying we won't see the Dustbowl again, what with Global Warming and all (a much denied Fact) but you won't be picking fruit or living in a camp any time soon, unless you are paying to be there. Just think positive.
August 3, 2009 - 7:35pm
#12
George, I don't care as much for me as I do for my kids, who are 19 and 5. We're stimulating the economy with tax dollars these kids have yet to earn. I'm not a fan of any person,company,politician,ANYONE,speaking and acting before thinking. We have a congress that is allowing the president to do as he pleases, as fast as he pleases, with little resistance. How much money have we spent this year in stimulus/bailouts/cars/housing tax credits? And Mr. Obama wants healthcare reform done yesterday. Perhaps he should place a 90 day moratorium on any new actions, and try to finish what other projects have been started. That moratorium would also include a gag order on himself, which we know will never happen, cause he likes to look at himself and hear himself talk.
August 3, 2009 - 8:44pm
#13
Posted by bud prevost on August 3, 2009 - 7:35pm
George, I don't care as much for me as I do for my kids, who are 19 and 5. We're stimulating the economy with tax dollars these kids have yet to earn. I'm not a fan of any person,company,politician,ANYONE,speaking and acting before thinking. We have a congress that is allowing the president to do as he pleases, as fast as he pleases, with little resistance. How much money have we spent this year in stimulus/bailouts/cars/housing tax credits? And Mr. Obama wants healthcare reform done yesterday. Perhaps he should place a 90 day moratorium on any new actions, and try to finish what other projects have been started. That moratorium would also include a gag order on himself, which we know will never happen, cause he likes to look at himself and hear himself talk.
This reaction always surprises me. Where was your anger when the Bush Administration, and a Republican majority in both the House and the Senate were borrowing money for a war? Who do you suppose is going to pay for that?
Where was your anger when the Bush Administration, and a Republican majority in both the House and the Senate refused to look inward to our own country while they allowed little or no funds for infrastructure?
Where was your anger while President Bush wiled away the hours after Hurricane Katrina, totally unaware that citizens of our country were dying in the Gulf coast cities?
I understand that no matter what President Obama does is going to be wrong in your eyes. That is your right.
How quickly we whitewash another administration and a party that held the majority in Congress for 12 years.
August 3, 2009 - 9:04pm
#14
I definitely had issues with W and some of his actions. But national defense is exactly what the feds should be responsible for, not saving UAW jobs, or bailing out irresponsible homeowners, or sending money to every tom,dick and kumbai in the world for their nation's needs, or infusing government money into wall street.
And I definitely do not feel safer today in America than I did one year ago. I am dreading the day someone recognizes how weak and incompetent this administration is, and pulls a fast one on us. Just a question if it's North Koreans, Iranians, Afghani's or a treasonous traitor from within.
And Bea, while I may disagree with your views of the world, I do appreciate that you are always gracious and respectful of others opinions. I hope to acquire more of those life skills as I progress on the journey. :)
August 4, 2009 - 11:15am
#15
Dennis,
It only took one day for me to be right about jobs being lost in the auto industry regardless of this program
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090803/AUTO01/908030376/1148/auto01/GM+...
