Actually I would prefer a well kept (or restored) '72 Maverick over most of the 'high tech' junk offered by the new car dealers these days.
But would trade off an old Vega for $10K in a 'heartbeat'. 
(Anyone have one that still runs?)
Posted on 12/16/2008 7:29:20 AM PST by newgeezer
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Sen. Tom Harkin is proposing new legislation that he said would increase the demand for American cars.
Along with Sen. Dick Durbin, of Illinois, Harkin introduced a bill earlier this week that in turn would take older, less-fuel-efficient cars off the road, while also giving buyers a big bonus.
The Sell Fuel Efficient Cars Act would provide a rebate of $10,000 to buyers who trade in a car more than 10 years old for a new American car.
Officials said the reason for the act is to help create demand for American cars and preserve jobs in the weak economy.
The rebate would be limited to families with an adjusted gross income below $40,000 a year or individuals making less than $25,000.
To get the rebate, you would be required to turn in a car more than 10 years old that is still drivable.
The rebate would only apply to purchases of fuel-efficient GM, Ford or Chrysler vehicles that are assembled in the United States. The car would have to have an average fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon.
Officials said close to 15 percent of automobiles that are manufactured by the Big Three automakers would qualify for the rebate.
There would be a one-car limit per family or individual and the program would end in 2009.
[The source article includes a video news clip.]
Hey, I’ve got an even simpler idea. Lets just say that Big Brother owns everything and everybody will take 1 car, one small house, food as necessary and free medical care as needed. Then the NY Times will publish a list of the extras everyone is permitted. All will have to be the same, of course. Gee...funny nobody ever thought of this before, huh? I’m sure it would work out just dandy!
Obama promised middle class ‘tax cuts’, get it now?
This is aimed at the same people as were sub-prime loans.
At least this will give them a better place to live.
I wouldn’t by a GM, Ford, or Chrysler
I currently drive a '95 Diamante wagon that gets about 15mpg and is badly in need of a tune up. It's worth about $1000. So I'm looking for my next used vehicle.
Mazda owner?
The fine print in the bill says “engines on new cars sold separately and must run on wind or corn.”
Solutions are a problem for democrats.
Just imagine where we’d be if the problems caused by democrats were actually solved.
I have a better name for the law.
The Fuel Efficient Car Acquisition Law: FECAL.
Gee, you’d think the reporter would be curious enough to ask what this brilliant “rebate” is going to cost all of us.
I have no objection if Harkin and co-sponsors fund it themselves.
According to the report I heard on the radio, our all-knowing, all-caring, supremely-benevolent Federal government will purchase the trade-ins for sure destruction, saving the masses from every imaginable peril.
Arrrrrgh! I get so sick of programs that are designed to help only the poor (non-taxpayer). There are plenty of people out there who want/need to buy a new car. Right now, they are just a little timid. They are also extremely reluctant to buy an “American” made car. I say give everyone an incentive to buy a car or truck from the Big Three. Give a similar TAX BREAK to the taxpaying Americans. BUY A CAR OR TRUCK FROM GM, CHRYSLER OR FORD, AND GET $3000 OFF THE TOP OF YOUR TAX BILL FOR THREE YEARS. The numbers could vary, but tax breaks is a better idea than rebates.
Actually I would prefer a well kept (or restored) '72 Maverick over most of the 'high tech' junk offered by the new car dealers these days.
But would trade off an old Vega for $10K in a 'heartbeat'. (Anyone have one that still runs?)
The 10,000 is to excuse the Union contract do nothing pork.
This bailout is all about justifying the union goons.
The new left wing mantra is those opposed to left wing ideals have just not been exposed to the world and live in isolation in the rural areas.
(IE solution, outlaw rural living)
They’ll have to pry the steering wheel(s) from your cold, dead hands? :-)
I wouldn’t have one of those cars if they tried to give it to me!
I don’t take bribes (especially from the government)!
If there were no strings attached, this would be a good deal. Or maybe 5K like proposed by Joseph Farah. And it should be good for just one year.
If there were no strings attached, "this" would look nothing like this.
Or maybe 5K like proposed by Joseph Farah.
Farah proposed a simple tax credit. This, on the other hand, is a typical well-intentioned, myopic big-government market-manipulation scheme sure to have so many unintended consequences as to backfire up Harkin's "Ol' Populist" colon.
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