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The wildly popular "Cash for Clunkers" program has nearly depleted it's initial $1 billion in funding, and a Senate measure that would grant $2 billion more in funding is meeting staunch resistance from Republicans.
The list of opposition includes our beloved senator from South Carolina: Jim DeMint.
Here's what DeMint said about the program on Fox News Sunday: "The federal government getting in the used car business -- and we think, “Hey, this is working great.” But my children and grandchildren are going to have to pay for these cars, and we’re helping auto dealers while there are thousands of other small businesses that aren’t getting the help. The role of the federal government is not to run the used car business. ... We estimated this would cost $1 billion. Now they’re saying we need $2 billion more. Our children and grandchildren can’t afford to make these car dealers well right now."
To which I have to think the Republicans are either looking to create a fuss in Washington or are missing the point of the program: To get cars off the road that over pollute and consume a disproportionate amount of the world's gas reserves.
Want to dig deeper? Here's a few stories:
- New York TImes: ‘Cash for Clunkers’ Becomes a Republican Target and Dealers Race to Get Their Clunkers Crushed
- The State: Future of ‘Cash for Clunkers’ iffy
If you want to let DeMint's office know how you feel, here's all his contact info. His D.C. office line is (202) 224-6121.
