What about ???

What about this or that and the other thing. Exactly.

I was asked the proverbial question the other day, "What about cash for clunkers". What about it, it seems that SEMA says its gone, yet I see more on it now than before because its not called Cash For Clunkers (officially) that's only the "tag" name given to it by the media. Even though the bill is basically the same as it was before. Our most esteemed Senator, Susan Collins, a sponsor of this wonderfully unenlightened bill, is now miffed that its been reworded and lacks the integrity that it once had. Hand her a frigging hanky will ya.

My take on this whole thing is this.

You will be able to receive a voucher, for up to $3500 or $4500 depending on which news channel you listen too. This money will be used to help in the purchase of a new car that gets 20mpg or better. Does anybody see the problem here. If you need a voucher from the Federal Government to assist you in the purchase of a new car, you can't afford a new car. You have no ability to make the damn payments to begin with. Right now if you walk into a GM Ford Chrysler dealer you can purchase a car for no money down or zero percent APR. Why can't they make the payments. It could be due to fact that most people that can't buy a car on their own are unemployed. Get them jobs that pay more than peanuts. Not a voucher that says you have the right to sit on your lazy ass and have new car.

Reports say that a 35% increase in sales of new automobiles occurred in Great Britain when a program of the same type was put into effect. Of course it did, but the English Govt. owns or runs most of the car companies. Oh sorry so don't we.

What they fail to mention is the enviromental impact it has in England and other countries that have similar programs. The recyclers are overwhelmed and now have toxic waste stored because of the back log at disposal sites.

If it doesn't fail how will it affect us. Probably not as much as you think.

An example would be the fact that the other day I was given a choice of 2 prices on parts. The part was a master cylinder for an old car. A remanufactured Master Cylinder was $17.95 with a $10.00 core charge limited 1 year warranty, or a new Master Cylinder for $39.95 no core charge and a limited lifetime warranty.
Remanufactured parts are usually junk or at least a large percentage are. Probably remanufactured in a sweat shop in some back alley by illegal immigrants and of course the new one is manufactured in some 3rd world country that still allows public beatings or some other type of human rights violation.

Anybody that has spent Thousands of dollars on his or her respective ride is not going to take a chance on a reman part when new is available for a few dollars more.

Summary; SEMA lied, Collins needs hearing aids, so she can hear her constituents and should not represent the State Of Maine if she doesn't listens to us. New parts are very much available and affordable. This Bill still sucks and we as a hobby need to let people know that it SUCKS.

Next question.