clunkers program done already?

5 bullet points won't cover it - luckily there are thousands of posts here on a wide variety of subjects so you can figure it out for yourself.

Thanks but I was asking for your thoughts?

That's what those thousands of posts are - though some are more rants than thoughts/philosophies.

That's what those thousands of posts are - though some are more rants than thoughts/philosophies.

I understand! But those thousands of thoughts are yours? All of them??

Interesting Article from Atlanta Car Dealerships:

Entire Article HERE: Some Atlanta Dealers Putting Brakes On Cash For Clunkers - News Story - WSB Atlanta
Some Atlanta Dealers Putting Brakes On Cash For Clunkers

Posted: 6:34 pm EDT August 4, 2009Updated: 7:38 pm EDT August 4, 2009
Two of metro Atlanta's busiest car dealers are putting the brakes on the Cash for Clunkers program.Both dealerships fear the government will not make good on the program's debts.The program, officially called the Car Allowance Rebate System, or CARS, is designed to help consumers buy or lease a more environmentally friendly vehicle from a participating dealer when they trade in a less fuel-efficient car or truck.Consumers can earn either $3,500 or $4,500 in exchange for their gas guzzlers. The federal program is designed to energize the economy, boost auto sales and put safer, cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles on the nation's roadways.The program originally had $1 billion earmarked to fund it. Those funds were gone in a week. House lawmakers have approved another $2 billion to fund the project. The Senate has yet to vote on it.The Jim Ellis Automotive Group began turning customers away Monday night."As of last night, there's a moratorium," Jim Ellis Chevy General Manager Mark Frost told Channel 2's Jim Strickland. "We're not doing any more Cash for Clunkers deals until we get word that the Senate has approved the additional $2 billion."Jim Ellis Chevy in Chamblee has to use remote lots to store more than 200 clunker trade-ins. They've got plenty on the line should the government not pay."About $800,000, and it's making us pretty nervous."Dealers started applying for rebate payments a week and a half ago, but they complain the government's procedure is as clunky as the cars."We don't know what they're waiting for, if we've missed something," Jason Moore at Kia of Conyers reported. "If they're requesting something more. We're just in limbo of what happens next." {snipped}

I'll take one issue with this. A majority of that spending is on domestic durable good and employment / benefits payments to american citizens. In fact our recent GDP numbers were boyed signifigantly thanks to military related domestic durable goods purchases.

We can discuss whether this money is better spent on something else - unemployment, free healthcare, birdges and roads, or even not at all (we could reduce the national deficit by pulling all our troops back home.) But generally military spending, especially during a major economic downturn, is certainly not wasted. This bares out in current economic data and in historical data from previous wars - military spending is essentially another form of stimulus. So take your pick, cash for clunkers or a new jet plane, the differences in terms of the effects on the economy don't exist.

omg

I'm wondering with all this fuel efficiency, when the price of gas is going to double to make up the difference. The government doesn't own the oil companies. :roll:

Part of what increases gas prices is demand - by driving more efficient cars we reduce the demand and thus the prices.

Doesn't prevent OPEC etc. from trying to jack up prices, but it does generally keep prices lower.

I'm wondering with all this fuel efficiency, when the price of gas is going to double to make up the difference. The government doesn't own the oil companies. :roll:

not yet....

I'm wondering with all this fuel efficiency, when the price of gas is going to double to make up the difference. The government doesn't own the oil companies. :roll:

Whew...now I feel I can drive our clunker without fear. My latest theory was government officials carjacking those of us driving clunkers, handing us a big ol' check and dropping us at the nearest car dealership. But, the oil companies will be our saviours on the street

Why not just pay everyone $4500 to move 40% closer to their jobs? It would have similar effects on fuel demand. Oh, wait, that wouldn't put money in the pockets of the automakers and their lobbyists.

Here is another idea, Honda Metro scooters cost around $1900 each, new, and they get somewhere around 50-100 miles per gallon, why not give everyone a Honda Metro, first come, first serve, as long as they last? People would still be able to keep their grocery getter, but would be able to increase fuel efficiency by more than their current upgrades in this clunker of a program.

Last "working day" on the Hill and they are expected to approve the nomination of SC Sotomayor and CARS (aka Cash for Clunkers). There are not enough votes to filibuster either action.

I just cannot get over the fact that they are destroying perfectly good cars. I would love to get rid of my BAC and get something newer, but I can't afford car payments and full coverage insurance and I know it. I saw a sweet little volvo being blown up. If the government really wanted to help the poor, some of these cars would be resold and I could still be in a newer, more fuel efficient car.

Wait until you see how much those who drive older cars will have to pay in taxes, registration fees, Inspections, and government mandated car modifications to allow us to continue to drive them will be. The punishment is coming, take a look down that road.

Gasoline is sooo 1990's.

Why not just pay everyone $4500 to move 40% closer to their jobs? It would have similar effects on fuel demand. Oh, wait, that wouldn't put money in the pockets of the automakers and their lobbyists.

Here is another idea, Honda Metro scooters cost around $1900 each, new, and they get somewhere around 50-100 miles per gallon, why not give everyone a Honda Metro, first come, first serve, as long as they last? People would still be able to keep their grocery getter, but would be able to increase fuel efficiency by more than their current upgrades in this clunker of a program.

or closer to Sowal - most of my gas consumption is spent driving to Sowal and back

Wait until you see how much those who drive older cars will have to pay in taxes, registration fees, Inspections, and government mandated car modifications to allow us to continue to drive them will be. The punishment is coming, take a look down that road.

If it is like added on sales tax to cigs. or bad, fattening foods, I say tax baby, tax. Some Americans don't like being told what to do to improve their lives or increase the efficency of the economy, some need a little coaxing.

If it is like added on sales tax to cigs. or bad, fattening foods, I say tax baby, tax. Some Americans don't like being told what to do to improve their lives or increase the efficency of the economy, some need a little coaxing.

This is the land of the free. That "tax baby tax" is exactly what will put more middle class people in the welfare line, which, I think, is where our government might like to see us who are just eeking by in the current "efficient economy" .

Then we can all sing...."The CHANGE has come, we're under their thumb" ala Stones.

People like you scare the fn crap out of me.

Saw a news blurb the other day that a lot of state governments were loving the program because it was indeed helping to prop up sales tax revenues, which had been significantly down this year.

I just cannot get over the fact that they are destroying perfectly good cars. I would love to get rid of my BAC and get something newer, but I can't afford car payments and full coverage insurance and I know it. I saw a sweet little volvo being blown up. If the government really wanted to help the poor, some of these cars would be resold and I could still be in a newer, more fuel efficient car.

This on the same line of thought I had. Take the traded in clunkers and sort out the better ones, then allow the those without the resources to trade their clunkier clunkers for only a small transaction fee. This would really get the pollution spewing vehicles off the road and provide a safer auto for the less fortunate.

Wait until you see how much those who drive older cars will have to pay in taxes, registration fees, Inspections, and government mandated car modifications to allow us to continue to drive them will be. The punishment is coming, take a look down that road.

statewide auto inspections were in place over 30 years ago....they should resume in order to get the tens of thousands of unroadworthy, pollution spewing junkers off our roads

This is the land of the free. That "tax baby tax" is exactly what will put more middle class people in the welfare line, which, I think, is where our government might like to see us who are just eeking by in the current "efficient economy" .

Then we can all sing...."The CHANGE has come, we're under their thumb" ala Stones.

People like you scare the fn crap out of me.

It is a mental disorder.

It is a mental disorder.

is that all you got?

is that all you got?

No Bob. I was making a comment.

statewide auto inspections were in place over 30 years ago....they should resume in order to get the tens of thousands of unroadworthy, pollution spewing junkers off our roads

Including the noise pollution. I agree with you Bob.

CNN Breaking News

-- U.S. Senate passes a $2 billion "Cash for Clunkers" extension; the White House says President Obama will sign it soon.