Pelosi Backs Taxpayer Funded Vouchers for Gas Guzzlers

Wall Street Journal ^ | March 18, 2009 | Josh Mitchell

[catnipman]

WASHINGTON -- A proposal to boost auto sales by offering government-funded discounts to consumers who trade in old cars for new, more efficient models got a boost Wednesday from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

But the proposal, which also is supported by Detroit auto makers and the United Auto Workers, is coming under fire from some foreign auto makers critical of a provision limiting the vouchers to vehicles built in North America.

That limitation would exclude some of the most fuel-efficient cars and trucks sold in the U.S., including the Prius from Toyota Motor Corp.

A bill introduced Tuesday by Rep. Betty Sutton (D., Ohio) would provide on-the-spot vouchers between $3,000 to $7,500 to consumers who trade in old vehicles for new cars and trucks, Ms. Sutton said. The amount of the voucher would vary depending on the fuel economy of the car being purchased. ...

[catnipman]

I've just been waiting for this to be proposed. And I just knew it would be focused on trying to get Americans to buy junky cars from Detroit's failing Diminutive Three. It's so easy to predict what these idiots are going to come up with next. And I just love the illogical corners they paint themselves into. You know, like subsidizing American gas guzzlers in lieu of genuinely innovative gas-saving vehicles just because the guzzlers are made with union labor - but oh yeah, we're really still for a green planet, uh, except for when it hurts our union patrons, uh but, ...

[Sequoyah101]

Well, when they build something bigger than a skateboard that will get 22 mpg in city traffic like my 3/4 ton 4WD Dodge Diesel I’ll think about it.

I feel bad driving the monster to and from work when something smaller would do but short of a Yugo equivalent there isn’t a good replacement worth the money.

I was tempted to buy one of the new Buicks this summer but GM has POed me so much with their chairman’s support of a tax to elevate gasoline to $4 a gallon I won’t now.

[bzybee]

Goverment funded- you mean taxpaer dollars. This is insane
Pelosi go away please and take Betty Sutton with you.

[razorback-bert]

Now, I get to help pay for someone’s new car!

BTW, how old is an older car and what will this do to the used car market?

[ensignbay]

The Dems are creative, I’ll give them that. I couldn’t even imagine up of all the ways they are proposing to spend our hard-earned money.

[polymuser]

ONLY if all government elected officials, appointees, staffers, consultants and employees are required to travel in autos getting 40mpg or higher and by commercial carriers, and keep all offices at 78f in summer and 66f in winter.

[Myrddin]

My wife and I were out riding our motorcycles this evening. We pulled into Starbucks for a hot drink after a 80 mile ride in the cold wind. Moments later, a Mercury Mariner with the same paint job as our 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid pulled up. That one was the 4x4 model with the V6 engine...like our old 2003 Escape. The guy who stepped out was a salesman from our local Ford dealer. He had just driven from San Diego (my wife and I have done that nearly 50 times). He managed 22 MPG. We get 27 MPG in the Hybrid. He reports that Ford will be offering a Flex Fuel model within the next couple months. I'll have to evaluate what advantages that might offer over the Hybrid...if any. The V6 certainly has a lot better acceleration than the Hybrid. It also has towing capability that the Hybrid version can not do. I did buy the version with all the toys...for the first time in my life. Having done so, I want leather seats with seat heat in the next vehicle. The GPS/Nav system is also desirable. I'll have to decide whether Sirius/XM is going to survive before committing to that again. 4x4 is a must for the snow. The Mariner/Escape form factor suits my daily needs just fine.

[Always Independent]

Why would I want to buy a new GM truck when the CEO of GM is advocating $4 dollar a gallon gas. To top it off the toyota tundra gets worse mpg than my 06 sierra denali.

[pankot]

The Queen has spoken, so let it be written, so let it be done!

[Kickass Conservative]

You're already paying for Overseas Abortions, Houses, Food Stamps, Rapid Transit, Amtrak, Solar Panels, PBS, NPR, The Arts, Acorn, Planned Parenthood, Hamas, Headstart, Public Schools, CHIP and Obama’s Private Jet.

The question is, if I trade in my PT Cruiser, will I get the Gubmint cash to buy a 2LT V-6 Camaro? It gets better highway mileage than my car does. I will be sacrificing though, because I really want the SS with 426 HP.

I love Rat Politicians, they're so, what's the word, STUPID.

[CurlyDave]

Hey!

I want a new F-350 to tow my beatup old camping trailer (redneck hunting lodge) up to deer country next fall, and then off to elk country a couple of weeks later.

Can I sign up for one of those vouchers?

[jws3sticks]

Here's the Botox Babes, twin sisters to the core:

[SunkenCiv]

...government-funded discounts to consumers who trade in old cars for new, more efficient models... some foreign auto makers critical of a provision limiting the vouchers to vehicles built in North America.

So, how are all the Pat Buchanan fans this fine morning?

[grellis]

If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.

[AmericaUnite]

I have to post this on every recent Pelosi thread. To you by way of iowahawk The 2012 Pelosi GTxi SS/RT Sport Edition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAqPMJFaEdY