Cash for Clunkers? I want to trade in John Kerry!

Disclaimer!!!

I currently am driving my wife's 98 Kia Sephia, which does not qualify as a Clunker. By choice, I have been driving 4 cyl fuel saving vehicles for most of my 35 yr plus driving career. I am also an admitted car nut. My favorite vehcles of all time include the Ford Capris of the early 70s and the Hemi powered Mopars of the mid 60s.

Could you please tell me where I can trade in Senator John Kerry for the Clunker credit? If the price is right, I will add in Senator Ted Kennedy and the House delegation from the state of Massachusetts. If the purpose of the legislation is to improve fuel economy and reduce carbon emmisions, I cannot think of a better way than to trade in our elected representatives for newer lighter and more efficient models.

In the long run the C for C law is the biggest bomb to hit Detriot since the Edsel and here is why.

Yes there are a number of cars on the road that could/should be scrapped. Most of these are driven by low income people. This law only permits credit towards the purchase of new vehicles. That alone puts it our of reach to those who need it. It requires that all vehicles must be scrapped after the engine has been disabled. This reduces the supply of used vehicles and thus the prices on them will rise, furthur hurting the poor. The requirement that the vehicles be scrapped has a double whammy. Prices for scrap have already fallen, this supply will push them down further still. Meanwhile, the poor get wacked again as prices for used parts will increase.

Detroit, Japan and other car countries share a common problem. There is only so much demand for new vehicles. The manufacturers have been building too many cars for too long and have resorted to discount pricing. All this does is move demand forward. The C for C law does more of the same. What will happen when the law finally ends? Demand will fall back to previous levels. What Detriot and the other car builders will have to do is to continue to reduce their production until the supply is equal to the demand. That is pretty simple. I leaned that in Econ 101. Oh, I forgot, Barney is capable of running a bank but never studied Economics.

Hey! for the right offer, I will toss in Chris Dodd and Deval Patrick