Posted on 08/04/2009 12:48:46 PM PDT by khnyny
Economists can argue back and forth in the media about the effect of big government programs such as the stimulus package and Obamacare but few things have illustrated government waste as effectively as this disturbing YouTube video in which a well running Volvo engine was destroyed as part of the Cash for Clunkers program. This video is currently going viral on the Web and has sparked outraged comments from many people whom I suspect have previously remained somewhat uninterested in the often elusive topic of economics. However, the wasteful destruction of this car seems to have awakened an economic sense of revulsion to an extent rarely seen before.
Here is a sampling of their YouTube comments which are in sharp contrast to the glowing praise of the Cash for Clunkers program prevalent in the MSM:
(Excerpt) Read more at newsbusters.org ...
Congress and The One are out of control. With the help of a few RINO’s who voters mistakenly trusted to help prevent this sort of political coup Congress is running roughshod over the very concept of the Constitution and two hundred plus years of what made America the greatest country in the history of the world.
Not to mention the theft risk of older cars is going to skyrocket.
In a few years from now, vehicles people previously took to parking decks and shopping malls (with minimal risk) will suddenly become theft targets.
And in true liberal fashion the damage goes far beyond those who are immediately hurt, in this case by being deprived of the opportunity to keep running a car they already own, a car that’s far from fashionable but at least fulfills the prime purpose of a car, to get one from point A to point B. The damage extends into the world of those who own cars like these but can’t afford to ‘upgrade’ and depend on a huge used parts market to keep their clunkers going. Regardless of how bad a shape one of the clunkers used to take advantage of the program might be in, they are potentially the source for all sorts of parts needed by others who drive older cars.
There is simply no limit to the damage these people are willing to inflict to realize their goals. And like so many well-intentioned, but seriously flawed, schemes launched by liberals over the years by the time the damage is evident it will be too late to undo the damage.
It would not surprise me to learn down the road that much of this is hype or spin or something akin to it. Are there really 750,000 people out there who are qualified to buy a new car, even with a $3,500 head start? Somehow something about this whole thing just doesn’t pass the smell test in my mind.
I think you might be jumping the gun here. This is egregious I quite a agree, but we're less than 25 percent through the term of The One. This could end up being one of the lesser examples of the disgrace that the Obama experiment turns out to be.
Let's just hold our horses here and see what he and his ilk come up with next. I don't think we've even begun to see the kind of stupidity and incompetence this bunch can do.
re: No classic car parts?
That’s the worst part of all from the standpoint of having great examples of the past to show our grandchildren and their children. Maybe one in 100,000 of each model ever made is around 50 years later and this is going to really hurt the availability of body and engine parts for those who would be willing to invest the considerable time and money needed to restore a classic car.
Bastards. I wish I had a stronger word or phrase to use, but I can’t think of one right now that would withstand the scrutiny of the moderators!
all going exactly as planned:
all going according to plan:
‘Change,’ for Alinsky, invoked radical socialism and meant the redistribution of wealth. [For] Obama [it] means the same, but by hiding the reference he avoids having to be explicit about the radical goal behind the theme.”
Some Key Alinsky Code Words
Change - Eliminating the free enterprise system and replacing it with socialism, and peacefully overthrowing the present government and replacing it with communism.
Community Organizer - One who (1) agitates by identifying and magnifying the real or imagined failings of the establishment as they supposedly apply to the target group, (2) organizes the target group into a political force, and (3) turns that force into “change”.
We're freaking doomed.
If you want better mileage from your CLUNKER; swap the 4.11 differential gears that give you 12 MPG for a set of 2.80 ones. THAT’ll give you 17.6 MPG!!!
For a LOT less than $4500!
Or replace your 1:1 Final DRIVE ratio transmission with an OVERDRIVE one with a 0.70 final.
That will get you from 12 MPG to 17.4.
Do BOTH and get 25.14!!
Can you say DOUBLE??
And a lot less than $4,500...
I think I’ve found a possible link between this and another enviro progect that actually is an invasion of personal privacy and your wallet:
HINT - this won’t affect old cars!
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jan/04/nation/na-gas-tax4
Oregon considers subbing mileage tax for gas tax
The governor endorses the program, which would install GPS devices in every new car and free the state from the problem of falling gasoline tax revenue. Some drivers worry about privacy.
By Kim Murphy
January 04, 2009
Reporting from Portland, Ore. — For years, Oregon has been diligent about reducing the state’s dependence on fossil fuels, but its environmental consciousness has come at a stunning price — gas tax revenue is down $4.8 million a year compared with 2006.
That drop, caused by lower fuel consumption and a slowing economy, has prompted Oregon to consider a new way to pay for road repairs: Democratic Gov. Theodore R. Kulongoski’s upcoming budget calls for a highway tax based on mileage, not gasoline purchases.
A state task force will look at equipping every new vehicle in Oregon with a Global Positioning System to record every mile driven and where. Motorists would pay at the gas pump based on how much they drove, no matter how fuel-frugal their vehicle.
The plan still requires legislative endorsement and the full details could take several years to work out, but state analysts said the governor’s endorsement is a crucial step toward solving what has become a problem in many states: dependence on a gasoline tax. (more at link)
Oregon just did a test on cars using GPS devices to track mileage for a mileage use tax. That’s something that is definitely being considered - a mileage use tax.
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jan/04/nation/na-gas-tax4
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jan/04/nation/na-gas-tax4
Imho, just more idiocy.
OBAMA LOVES TO DESTROY!
I just can’t get over the incredible waste. It’s hard to fathom the logic.
More to the point... this could be construed as a national security issue as well on several levels.
1. Most military vehicles engines are accessable from the outside and most don’t even have locks. If you have sabatuers use this silicate mixture on vehicles used by our military... well... use your imagination.
2. Insurgents could use this technique to disable vehicles on critical roads and areas to slow down emergency response to attacks or other emergencies.
Basically, this administration has handed a weapon to the bad guys...
Mike
He obviously couldn’t have gotten more than $4500 for it. If it was worth that much, the dealer would have kept the car for resale.
Being as I’m very fond of classic cars...this whole thing makes me sick. I’m holding on to my 2003 PT Cruiser, for sure!
kimsbug.blogspot.com
Guess the person that traded it was a moron then...
There is an aspect of this ‘cash for clunkers’ program that I have not heard addressed and it is this: the program creates an exchange of still usable products (perfectly serviceable vehicles or their parts) for DEBT. Most of the people taking advantage of the program are middle-class, employed people who can qualify for and afford (for the moment) a $15k - $20k auto loan, so they’re taking on rather large debt during uncertain economic times while more affordable used vehicles and their parts are being destroyed. This has got to be the dumbest thing I have ever seen.
But the appeal of the program is not without merit. Finally, middle class taxpayers are actually getting something back from a greedy, confiscatory government rather than the goodies and alms always going to the so-called poor (read: minorities and illegals who can’t qualify for new cars), so I can understand the popularity of the program......at least I think it’s a “program”. The administration and the DoT can’t seem to account for the money at all. For all we know, these auto buyers may never see a dime of it.
The dealers handle the transaction as if there is no trade-in - just a new purchase.
That’s right. With fewer used cars available, the price of new ones is driven up and those who can’t afford them or can’t get their hands on a used one will have to walk, ride a bike or take public transportation where available. In time, prolly a short time, the feds will levy a special environmental tax when a private vehicle owner sells his vehicle to another private party. Further, I believe the government will simultaneously pass legislation making it illegal for dealers to take trade-ins of vehicles that don’t get a certain (arbitrary) number of miles per gallon. Although no more hoopties might be a nice thing aesthetically, a lot of people who need inexpensive cars to get to work simply will not be able to get them.
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