Dumbshits For Public Office
Way to conserve natural resources with that "Cash For Clunkers" program. @KateC makes a great point:
Did "Cash for Clunkers" not ever strip the cars for parts? What a waste.
And surely, with the rush dealers were in to get the cars crushed so they wouldn't be left holding the bag financially, there was no time to strip them -- if even it's lawful, and I don't know, because I haven't read the law (and don't have time right now).
When I drove my 1970 Mercedes (post-Rambler), I once needed a new corner window (the little triangular one), complete with the works. It would've been $900 to order one from Germany, the Mercedes dealer told my garage. I ordered one for $35, including UPS charges, from Sun Valley Auto Wrecking (818-768-0704). Great guys, by the way, should you ever need parts for a Mercedes. Polite, helpful, sweet, even. And they'll mail you out what you need pronto.
See also.
Crid [CridComment@gmail] at August 1, 2009 10:50 AM
They just have to render the engine inoperable "immediately". The recommended method is to drain about half the oil and then put in a Sodium Silicate solution that will seize the engine.
They don't have to shred the car for up to six months. So I can these cars being hauled to a junkyard and the junkyard stripping parts and body work before shredding. A lot of our local junkyards pre-pull body work and have it ready for shipping to the body shops.
Jim P. at August 1, 2009 1:54 PM
Call me "Mr. Whitepaper" if you want.
Our society of thinking, responsible people is set on task after task to analyze each new government program. Often these programs are announced and implemented with lightning speed and at astronomical cost. Right now, "health care reform" is in the form of many bills hidden in committee, unavailable for review.
"Cash for Clunkers" is almost nothing in comparison, but is another example of "let's just do it" ideas. Just a billion here and a billion there. A billion dollars will buy 4,000 average homes at $250,000 each, or build 20,000 apartments at $50,000 each.
And, that billion or two doesn't count the costs of processing and administering the program.
This is the United States Government, of, for, and by the People. The public cannot participate in a government that runs on policies that are hidden. The government owes us a "white paper" giving an explanation of the thinking behind each program, policy, and bill.
We need proposed results, methods, justifications, comparative studies, past successes, funding sources, the works. These already exist in the background; the government does not want to release its reasons and thinking. The press and public should be able to review these undelivered documents. The government should be proud to display its carefully researched and supported policies. We deserve this as a free people.
The absence of these policy papers is appalling. Instead of open and proud policy, we have closed, imperial government. Sadly, we are controlled by a tyranny, if our government sees no reason to explain and justify its actions. Are they ashamed or afraid of what they propose?
Just what is the reasoned justification for handing out subsidies for buying cars? Or houses? The money does not come from Mars. It is coming out of the business capital that is no longer supporting past levels of employment. Is everyone happy to see these subsidies instead of higher employment and growing salaries?
Yes, there is some hand-waving about reducing carbon emmissions. At what cost? Shouldn't the government have released its cost/benefit analysis?
You may be interested in a cost analysis of paying more for autos that have higher gas mileage, and a comparison to what the Europeans have done. I don't buy the ideology that the government is trying to sell to me.
Efficiency Breakthrough: Small Cars With Small Engines
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Why press conferences are an idiotic way to have a national discussion about anything. Where is the explanation of policy? Is a few questions all we get?
A Few Words About Policy
easyopinionsoutlink.blogspot.com/2009/07/few-words-about-policy.html
Andrew_M_Garland at August 1, 2009 2:56 PM
Here is the second link in clickable form:
A Few Words About Policy
Andrew_M_Garland at August 1, 2009 2:57 PM
Thank you! thank you for bringing some semblance of rationality to the universe! "Dumbshits For Public Office Way to conserve natural resources with that "Cash For Clunkers" program" I particularly loved your opening lines. Well done!
Malcom Reynolds at December 15, 2010 9:54 AM
You're right. There are a lot of people that don't understand the ramifications of bills such as these. They think that they are giving us the best by giving us programs that will scam us in the long run. These people don't seem to think ahead. Hopefully the auto repair shop is making money from all of this, even if that means that they can only sell the cars they have bought for parts.
Ginny Crandall at January 5, 2011 8:30 AM
You're right. There are a lot of people that don't understand the ramifications of bills such as these. They think that they are giving us the best by giving us programs that will scam us in the long run. These people don't seem to think ahead. Hopefully the auto repair shop is making money from all of this, even if that means that they can only sell the cars they have bought for parts.
Ginny Crandall at January 5, 2011 8:32 AM
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