Clunker Bill

It's a hand out to the auto industry, they added the fuel millage part so that its a little bit environmentally friendly but this is about helping the auto industry. Then again considering how much we've got invested in that industry its probably not a bad idea. I wish it would apply to used cars but that wouldn't help the auto industry. The quick of it is this.

Under the House bill, car owners could get a voucher worth $3,500 if they traded in a vehicle getting 18 miles per gallon or less for one getting at least 22 miles per gallon. The value of the voucher would grow to $4,500 if the mileage of the new car is 10 mpg higher than the old vehicle.

Sounds reasonable. Feinstein has a plan that goes quite a bit further but for some reason only applies if your trading in a car getting 17mpg or less, what if I want to trade in my VW that gets like 32mpg for a Prius or to stick to the spirit of the bill one of the new ford hybrids thats supposed to get 40+ mpg? But that one isn't going to happen so instead I want to direct you to the udder stupidity that was shoved into the bill that has passed the house.

Owners of sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks or minivans that get 18 mpg or less could receive a voucher for $3,500 if their new truck or SUV is at least 2 mpg higher than their old vehicle. The voucher would increase to $4,500 if the mileage of the new truck or SUV is at least 5 mpg higher than the older vehicle. Consumers could also receive vouchers for leased vehicles.

So I can turn in a 89 K-9 Blazer for an H2 and get a check for $3500? Thats fucking retarded. Maybe we sould be encouraging both consumers and the auto industry to get away from SUV's already. On the upside I will be hanging on to my truck, wait till someone is buying a new car then sell them that and split the $4,500 with them. Its a hell of a lot more than its worth otherwise. Probably not really in the spirit of the law but this is America and we're all trying to make a buck.