Let's Trash the Guzzlers!

President Obama came out with a plan yesterday to address the auto sector's woes. He asked Wagoner to step down and called for a fresh approach to helping the industry. Among other items, he called for an immediate program to get inefficient cars off the road and incent Americans to buy efficient cars. He said,

...several members of Congress have proposed an even more ambitious incentive program to increase car sales while modernizing our auto fleet. Such fleet modernization programs, which provide a generous credit to consumers who turn in old, less fuel efficient cars and purchase cleaner cars have been successful in boosting auto sales in a number of European countries. I want to work with Congress to identify parts of the Recovery Act that could be trimmed to fund such a program, and make it retroactive starting today.

The good news is that there are strong bills in S. 247 and HR 520 that are just the kind of program the president is calling for. These bills are sponsored by Feinstein, Schumer, Collins, Israel, Inslee and others and help drive cars sales while at the same time changing out the fleet for a more efficient one that reduces our dependence on oil.

These bills have bi-partisan support. Here are statements from Dianne Feinstein and Susan Collins:

The bill, said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., "would be an important part of helping getting America's struggling automobile industry back on its feet, and help consumers who are concerned about covering the cost of buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle."

Taking gas guzzlers off the road, added Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, a co-sponsor, "would reduce our dependence on foreign oil, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate the economy."

Unfortunately, there is also another bill, HR1550, which does not result in more efficient cars on the road. HR 1550 also violates the WTO agreement and is thus illegal.

As the Administration and Congress puts into effect the president's command, we should make sure to put in place a program that can both boost jobs and get this country off of oil.

Comments

[ThePresidentialTouch]

Electrolysis of water in a Retrofit Energy System or RES, splits water molecules(H2O) into the molecules separate components. This is then fed into the vehicle's intake where the hydrogen molecules mix with the fossil fuel on the compression stroke and as a result the burn of the fuel is nearly absolute, and it is THE practical way to accomplish retrofit energy conversions to create hybrid cars and trucks in the 21st century.

[TxAggie]

SInce we taxpayers now control a car company would this not be a perfect time for GM to come out with CNG powered vehicles?

[ShaunHammer]

Who is the president who thinks they should dictate which kinds of car should I drive? Where is individual freedom of choice in that.

[TxAggie]

The one we have now.

[Russycle]

So when government gives a credit to a business, it's an incentive. But when they do the same to an individual, they're dictating?

[KillTheMessenger]

You can drive whatever you want. It just has to be within the laws of this country. If those laws say that it has to be small and have three wheels and no engine but needs a red seat and a feather on a stick in the back, then that's the kind of vehicle you get to drive.

[KillTheMessenger]

We do not control GM. We merely gave them money and made the giving of more money dependent on some basic rules. That's not control. At best it's a refined form of blackmail. The government does not want to take over GM formally. That would mean the taxpayer would be responsible for their financial liabilities. Trusts me, nobody wants that. Not even you.

[TxAggie]

We do not control GM? Tell that to Rick Waggoner.