US to push plan to swap for fuel efficient cars
May 5, 2009
Cars congest the 10 Highway in Los Angeles. A key US lawmaker Tuesday announced agreement after White House talks on a plan to offer Americans government cash to trade in "old clunkers" -- ancient, gas guzzling cars -- for fuel efficient models.
A key US lawmaker Tuesday announced agreement after White House talks on a plan to offer Americans government cash to trade in "old clunkers" -- ancient, gas guzzling cars -- for fuel efficient models.
Democratic power broker Henry Waxman said after talks with President Barack Obama at the White House that his key House of Representatives committee would push "cash for clunkers" legislation.
"One issue that has been resolved, it's called: cash for clunkers. It will allow people to take their old cars and trade them in for money that can be used for a more fuel efficient and newer car," Waxman said.
Waxman, the House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman, spoke after Democratic panel members met Obama at the White House to discuss the president's plans for energy and healthcare reform.
Lawmakers said the move could potentially see hundreds of thousands of old cars taken off the roads in favor of more fuel efficient vehicles in what would be a boost for the ailing US auto industry.
(c) 2009 AFP
9 hours ago
In a country with tens of millions (or more) cars you would wonder how effective this will be. Also, will this end up like the digital converter program that was under funded?
If this were April Fools day, I'd have a good laugh. Sadly these bureaucrats are serious. They want to spend taxpayer dollars to buy used cars.
I can't wait for the scams to start. What prevents me from buying a $50 clunker from the junk yard and reselling to the American Taxpayer for a hefty little profit. Then the junk yard will get paid to take the car of the government's hands. All the while those of who work for a living will pay the bills for this nonsense.
Exactly, everytime some city does a "gun buy back" program exactly this sort of thing happens. Not to mention, what is they use the money they get for their old "clunky" Honda Civic and use it to get a new Dodge Daytona? Silliness made painful by the fact that we will have to pay for the silliness.
theres one and ONLY one thing to do and our president like the many before him is a coward. he will not do what is necessary and simple and effective: RAISE GAS TAXES by 50%
A coward for not punishing people.
You do realize that some people would not be able to afford this tax hike??
And if they don't live anywhere near mass transportation then they would be hurt tremendously by this.
That's just stupid in the present economy. Do that and count on the costs of everything that uses gasoline and diesel powered vehicles (just about everything) for shipment going up exponentially. Way to hurt the economy further, jack! Obama already and Congress already are doing enough to hurt the economy further in the future without any further help from moronic suggestions like the above!
Possibly we should try disolving them in diesel fuel!
Another article reported improving the efficiency of diesel engines by disolving waste products such as styrafoam into the fuel. Politicians are ANOTHER waste product of modern civilization with a proven record of creating a lot of heat and very little light.