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The Real Clunkers in this Deal

Brian2580 Wrote: Aug 09, 2009 3:20 PM

This is a string of the weakest arguments left against the clunkers bill. The government knows how to spend money--yes, but most of it got shifted back to the states in the form of license fees in taxes, payroll taxes, and keeping people off of employment.

The government can also destroy things, and encourage the creation of new things. The article has an obvious omission, the creation of new vehicles which requires labor.

Do some people drive more because they have a more fuel efficient car? Yes, but there are also less pollutants going out the tail pipe. And, with the economy as tough as it is we actually want people out driving more, presumably they are out spending as well? The additional money not spent on fuel for...

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The Real Clunkers in this Deal

Cash for Clunkers has been a thrilling moment for advocates of expanded government, who say it proves what we can accomplish when our leaders put their minds to it. They are absolutely right. The program proves the federal government is unsurpassed at two things: dispersing money and destroying things.

Of course, it already proved that in Iraq. But for sheer rapidity of confirmation, this program is hard to beat. Cash for Clunkers managed to go through a billion dollars in about four days, vaporizing a fund that was supposed to last until Halloween.