Posted on 05/26/2006 6:52:33 AM PDT by rattrap
Some organization, the Consumer Federation of America, has has come up with an amazingly stupid idea on how to combat high energy usage. They want to ban advertising of gas-guzzling SUVs on television [pdf]. They have other brilliant ideas, such as an SUV buyback program. Just who would buy them back? Well, I would suppose this gaggle of idiots would propose that either the government (which means the taxpayers) or the automakers buy them back. Either way the cost is passed down to individuals; either taxpayers or shareholders. They also want a federal gas tax that would stabilize, as they call it, gas prices at about four bucks a gallon. Oh .. and they say they have polls showing strong consumer support for their ideas.
In the America of 2006 you don't have to look far to find someone who will tell you of all of the problems we can solve by just limiting freedom with more government controls and regulations. We have an obesity problem, why not ban the advertising of foods that exceed a certain caloric or fat content? How about a cheeseburger buyback program?
The really sad thing is that these idiots actually manage to get media attention.
At least this particular brand of Nannystater is more stupid than dangerous.
Market forces will take care of the SUV fad. Already you see fewer people buying the big ones and a boom of small cars that really drive well. The longer gas prices stay high, the more this trend will continue. And I won't miss the SUV. For the average driver they were pretty stupid. High prices, bad fuel economy, sloppy handling, and acceleration and braking that is worse than a car. There were some who needed the hauling and off road abilities but for 90% of owners these were little more than fashion statements and were a waste of money.
What's this remind you of?
"they want to ban advertising of gas-guzzling SUVs on television [pdf]."
I'm gonna pull the 440 six-pak out of my Roadrunner, and put it in my Durango!
That 318 don't suck near enough gas to piss off all the whiners!
EEEEEEEEEHHHHHHAWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love my 2006 F-250. It get the same mileage as the 97 I traded, which is not that great, But like an suv, they have certain jobs to do. When you need the space there is no substitute.
When Cadillac and Hummer and Mercedes started selling their brand of SUV they appeal to the upscale who never seem to care about mileage anyhow. They want comfort and versatility. And they pay for the amenity already. So what?
Market force pressure on SUV's is ok. Government interferance in those market forces is not ok. People should decide when economic forces have reached their limit. Government should not impose artificial economic sanctions on citizens when they cannot lead with similar examples of restraint.
Yup...of course the liberal answer is that "this is too important to be left to market forces," or some such babble.
I wish the FS station wagon would make a comeback.
Rode like a car, could haul 7-9 people if need be, or could haul 4x8 sheets of plywood and drywall, or tow a reasonable load. Heck, my Dad once filled our sandbox by taking the third row seat out, lining the well with plastic, and filling it with sand.
Those things got better mileage than their contemporary SUVs (Suburbans) too.
I think there's a certain irony here. Station wagons, once popular for families, were killed off as a result of the same people who are now whining about SUVs.
Many SUV's are bigger, heavier, less stable, and get worse fuel economy than the station wagons they replaced. Talk about the law of unintended consequences.
Thing got about 7-8 MPG when you were being nice to the gas peddle. Swapped out the stock 25 gallon tank for a 22 gallon fuel cell when I did the rear tub work on it. Should have just ADDED the second tank as a spare...
I used to like to listen to Boortz, but as far as I know, he has been off the air in the Los Angeles area for about five years.
I like your thinkin'
Buddy of mine has a '70 Cutlass with the 455.
Those Olds motors make more torque than a tugboat.
I once had a 72 Delta 88 with a 455 rocket. Passed everything but a gas station! But the ride was unbeatable, even at high speeds.
These lightweight fuel efficient "shakers" on the road now feel every bump and crush up like a milk carton when wrecked. Bags and belts do little good if the cage is weak. But now we are criminals if we don't wear the belts.
Ths is a matter of personal responsiblilty once again. not government's percieved responsibility to people.
Here's a list of webcasts of the Boortz show:
Glad to see that Boortz is finally getting on board with Bush's plan for America.
"There ought to be limits to freedom"
--George W. Bush, March 1999
BUT, it is their money to waste and how do you know if they needed an SUV or not? People like you are as bad as any liberal nanny stater.
Holds up a lot better in a crash than plastic and aluminum.
A steel framed vehicle, with todays engineering ala NASCAR crash cages, would make a commuter car nearly indestructible by todays standards.
"
These lightweight fuel efficient "shakers" on the road now feel every bump and crush up like a milk carton when wrecked. Bags and belts do little good if the cage is weak. But now we are criminals if we don't wear the belts.
"
Just about any new car sold would be quieter and smoother than a 72 Olds at speed and every single new one would be safer.
Body was shot and spray canned a flat black. I did nothing with the cracked vinyl interior.
Ugly... but very... very... fast.
God I want another one...
Quieter may be right. Smoother....not. I guess the solid frame of the 72 may not crush and absorb as much crash energy. But the 72 could drive away from 50% more accidents. Fenders bolted on and not welded.
Of course we could apply the current shock and spring technology, where the 72 was limited to the tech of the time. So there is a mixed bag. Some improvements, some not so much better. I find a lot more freedom in a speedometer that goes over 120 mph, even if the capacity is not used. Bad choice? Perhaps? My choice? Definitely.
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