The proposed Cash for Clunkers legislation in both the House of Representatives and the Senate has stirred up all kinds of discussion as to the program’s benefits or lack thereof. While we’ve covered a few opinions over the viability of various Cash for Guzzlers programs that have shown up in Congress over the past few weeks, Tony Ronzio, an editor at the Lewiston Sun Journal in Maine, posted a preview of an editorial on YouTube (above).
The topic was none other than Cash for Clunkers, and the problems therein. Among his arguments against the legislation, Ronzio said people driving older, fuel-hungry vehicles probably couldn’t afford a new vehicle even with a $4,500 voucher from the government. What’s more, the voucher could mistakenly lead people to get in over their heads on a car payment, furthering our current credit crisis. Senator Susan Collins, who co-sponsored the Senate’s Cash for Clunkers bill, was quick to respond with a YouTube video of her own (below).
In the video, Collin’s special assistant, Bobby Reynolds, says that the Senate’s legislation promised to decrease the United States’ dependence on foreign oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while spurring the economy through new auto sales. Reynolds also made it clear that between the voucher and the fuel savings, no one should be taking on a financial burden greater than they can bear.
Both videos provide clear insight into the pros and cons of the legislation, but with the Senate’s counter bill still sitting at odds with the one the House of Representatives recently passed, it’s unclear as to when or if a cohesive law will come into existence.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.