Here is a letter I sent to my State Senator and Rep last week.
This morning, while listening to US Rep. Candice Miller on WJR, she was discussing the “cash for clunkers” proposal going through the US Congress. While I think the idea has some merit, let me explain why I will not be able to participate.
I am the sole breadwinner for my family of six and I make a healthy income. However, I drive older used cars and always have. We own three cars. Mine is a 2001 Mercury, My wife has a 1999 Chevrolet van and my daughter has a 1999 Mercury Sable. (note the pattern of American cars?)
Currently, Michigan has a very onerous policy of charging extreme rates for insurance. When my daughter bought her well used car, our rates immediately doubled to over $2400 per year. That is for PLPD on each car. No collision or comprehensive coverage. Through some good shopping and assistance by our insurance agent, we were able to find another insurance company based in northwestern Michigan that lowered the rate to about $1400 per year.
For the record, in a collective 63 years of driving, members of my family have received one moving violation and zero accidents.
I will not buy new cars because I can either afford a car payment or an insurance payment. The main cost of this coverage is the hundreds of dollars we are forced to pay for unlimited catastrophic care and uninsured motorist coverage.
Here is a solution I would like for you to spearhead. If it were me, I would call it something like the “I can’t afford to care about your personal problems automotive insurance reform bill.”
“I don’t care that you cannot afford insurance. Hitch a ride, take a bus, get a bike or walk.” If someone gets caught driving a vehicle without insurance, or gets into an accident, they go to jail. Pure and simple. The first 10-15 people who get 3-5 year sentences will completely fix the problem of uninsured cars
“I’m sorry that you got hurt in a wreck. The State of Michigan will help you up to $250.000.” Beyond that, the responsibility of the State is complete. Stuff happens and it’s not always good, but we cannot afford to expend unlimited treasure.
This would immediately save every vehicle owner in the state about $400.00 per year. The threat of imprisonment would rid the roads of many bad drivers and pollution belching cars barely fit for a scrapyard.
Is this cold? Yes..
Is it heartless? Yes.
Is it the right thing to do for Michigan citizens who are working within the system? Absolutely.
Will it immediately help our economy and our automotive companies? Without question.
We simply cannot afford to care about lawbreakers in this State anymore.
I urge you to sponsor such legislation.
With regards,
Cyclotic
My Rep hasn’t responded yet, but the Senator (highly conservative) wrote a very personalized letter of agreement.
of course they will cut gang bangers, murderers and rapists
loose to make room for uninsured drivers.
If you don’t insure your self, for anything that might happen to you, you shouldn’t be out in pubic. Stay in bed.
Why as a conservative is it antibody’s responsibility to cover you?
Why should I be taxed one penny, to have the state be your boy in dealing with uninsured motorists. Frankly, I’d like my cop/tax dollars going to rounding up rapists, murders and such.
Now, listen carefully, this way everybody will have car insurance and no one will pay for it, except for those stupid morons that actually work for a living and pay taxes. Oh damn! I forgot about those idiots!