OK, guys - Time to mobilize... Need your help!!!

[AZhitman]

Guys, this is critical - I, for one, hate when politicians tamper with our hobby and lifestyle, and here's the most blatant and outlandish plan yet... I really, really encourage you guys to SPEAK UP about this...

Washington lawmakers are drafting a large economic stimulus package to help create jobs and rebuild infrastructure. They want to include a nationwide scrappage program which would give U.S. tax dollars to consumers who turn-in older cars to have them crushed, as a misguided attempt to spur new car sales. The lawmakers need to scrap this idea.

The stimulus package is being drafted right now. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) wants to introduce the bill on January 6 and have it approved by Congress by January 20, so that President Obama can sign it into law after he is inaugurated. Contact House Speaker Nancy Pelosi IMMEDIATELY To Oppose "Cash for Clunkers"!

Call: 202/225-0100

Or, click here to send an electronic message: http://speaker.house.gov/contact/

Talking Points

• I am [calling/writing] to urge lawmakers not to include a “Cash for Clunkers” provision in the economic stimulus bill. Owners who turn in vehicles for crushing would receive a "minimal" payment to purchase a new car. This is a misguided attempt to spur car sales and claim that the country’s air quality or fleet fuel mileage is being improved.

• “Cash for Clunkers” programs threaten enthusiasts nationwide with the loss of valuable parts and parts-cars for repair, restoration, and customization projects. The programs also risk destroying classic, historic and special-interest vehicles, our American heritage.

• Cars turned in for scrappage often barely run, or are rarely-driven second or third vehicles that have a minimal impact on overall fuel economy or emissions.

• “Cash for Clunkers” programs will reduce the availability of affordable transportation and repair parts used by low-income drivers. It will also compete with the Salvation Army, the Purple Heart and other charities that rely on vehicle donations to raise money.

• “Cash for Clunkers” ignores better policy options. If Congress wants to act, support for repair and upgrade is a better choice and a win-win for consumers, dealers, manufacturers and repair shops. Significant emissions and fuel economy improvements can be achieved in older vehicles through relatively simple and inexpensive means: repaired/replaced exhaust systems, tune-ups, etc.

• We hope we can count on you to reject “Cash for Clunkers.” Thank you for your consideration on this very important matter.

[snwbrdr435]

Wow Bump!

[DevilMB3017]

I am writing to urge lawmakers not to include a “Cash for Clunkers” provision in the economic stimulus bill. Owners who turn in vehicles for crushing would receive a "minimal" payment to purchase a new car. This is a misguided attempt to spur car sales and claim that the country’s air quality or fleet fuel mileage is being improved.

The “Cash for Clunkers” programs threaten enthusiasts nationwide with the loss of valuable parts and parts-cars for repair, restoration, and customization projects. The programs also risk destroying classic, historic and special-interest vehicles, our American heritage.

Cars turned in for scrappage often barely run, or are rarely-driven second or third vehicles that have a minimal impact on overall fuel economy or emissions.

The “Cash for Clunkers” programs will reduce the availability of affordable transportation and repair parts used by low-income drivers. It will also compete with the Salvation Army, the Purple Heart and other charities that rely on vehicle donations to raise money.

“Cash for Clunkers” ignores better policy options. If Congress wants to act, support for repair and upgrade is a better choice and a win-win for consumers, dealers, manufacturers and repair shops. Significant emissions and fuel economy improvements can be achieved in older vehicles through relatively simple and inexpensive means: repaired/replaced exhaust systems, tune-ups, etc.

We hope we can count on you to reject “Cash for Clunkers.” Thank you for your consideration on this very important matter.

Removed the bullet points, added a couple "the"s and hit send.

Good job getting the word out Greg.

[Koshin]

interesting....I will start as of now, the government does the most stupid things to try and "save" money, or "stimulate" the economy

[AZhitman]

Feel free to add your own concerns or talking points as well - I have several that I'll be touching on.

Amazing that she can fathom that building a new car and disposing of an old one is "better for the environment" than just maintaining an older car (or recycling its parts to keep another one running).

Just goes to show you what happens when politicians get involved in topics they know NOTHING about.

[frapjap]

That idea is just plain awful. It'll overextend the consumers' current inability to keep up with bills and debts. Totally unnecessary. ::sigh:: If that passes, it might be time to start buying more vehicles that don't run than I currently do. Though, that'll probably prove futile because there will be a limit to how many cars you can "trade in" and how much/many vouchers you can use towards a single new car purchase. Go Washington, you suck.

[OriginalWheelman]

Mailed. Kept my "I hate you" points for another day.

[nsrZ32]

E-mail sent

[Repo Man]

Sent eMessage. I behaved.

[ProudNissanFreak]

Removed the bullet points, added a couple "the"s and hit send.

Good job getting the word out Greg.

Did the same and added a couple of things. Thanks for the heads up!

[AZhitman]

Mailed. Kept my "I hate you" points for another day.

I recommend tomorrow. And Friday. Yep, Friday would be good.

Dno't forget Thursday.

[Flicktitty]

Sent.

thank's for getting the word out.

[hbpignosePA]

sent

me- -government

fools.... i say let the big three fall; its their fault they produce crap anymore

[JHof]

I think it was California that introduced a similar program a few years ago.

Collectors and old car enthusiasts had multiple cows, bemoaning the disappearance of potential classics, and trailer-dwelling bottom feeders dragged tons of junk from their backyards to cash in, further eliminating a few generations of barn finds and parts cars. I'm not sure how the program worked out or if it is even still in effect, but I remember reading vitriolic paragraphs of condemnation in the enthusiast magazines--especially the ones devoted to Classics.

For my part I'll do anything I can to prevent a capricious law like this from seeing the light of day. We ALL need to have old clunkers in the general population, quietly rusting away behind the barns of America. God knows which ones will be the sought after classic cars ten or twenty years from now...

Thanks for the heads-up Greg. Obama needs to know about this travesty before it ends up euthanizing our automotive heritige.

[AZhitman]

Go get 'em, Hoff. Let's bring the knowledge.

[notslow]

they tried to (maybe even did) make a program like this in BC. I wrote the premier with similar talking points. I will try e-mailing Pelosi as well, she doesn't need to know that I am Canadian

[HashiriyaS14]

I am, obviously, very opposed to this idea in principle.

In practice, however, with a few advertising dollars, I can throw ads out there promising to pay above "cash for clunker" value for old Japanese iron and buy up a ton of cars at once for resale and projects.

Hmmmmm

No, seriously, I'll contact my rep, it's an awful idea.

If it goes through though, you can bet that I'll have all channels opened up with ads and a ton of capital standing by.

[ddgsxr504]

I just emailed, added a few bullets and closed with...

Sincerely and Respectfully

Sergeant Jason R. EvansUnited States Marine Corps

[OriginalWheelman]

they tried to (maybe even did) make a program like this in BC. I wrote the premier with similar talking points. I will try e-mailing Pelosi as well, she doesn't need to know that I am Canadian

She'll know. You're too polite to be American.

[layedoutb2k]

thanks for the heads up. i reworded a little, added some more points, and sent.

it sickens me to think that polititions think that we are as greedy as them to give up some of our heritage and history just to make a quick buck.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

Pelosi probably has all my emails blocked.

Sent to all my reps and that she-devil.

[notslow]

She'll know. You're too polite to be American.

hahaha you called me on that before I even read what you posted....

"Dear Madame Speaker...""...I would like to thank you for taking the time to review my letter and your consideration on this important matter... Best regards..."

I posted a zip code from Carson City.

[Loki]

Sent her a message. Let's see what happens...

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

I too read the article in JNC...frankly it makes me angry how anyone could get rid of pieces of history, no matter the condition.AND IF YOU HAVE THE RESOURCES, SEARCH EVERY TRAILER HOME PARK IN YOUR AREA FOR UNUSED AND ABUSED CLASSIC CARS.If we can't overturn this program, we can at least horde all those 510's, RA22's, classic z's, and 2002's so we aren't a nostalgic car community with no nostalgic cars.While it seems like a good idea, the energy it will take to crush all those cars and recycle them will far outweigh the benefits of taking them off the road. Speaking of which...most people I know with such a car barely drive them in the first place, most of them having a collector car registration.

Bastards

[MinisterofDOOM]

Bump for a really important topic!

[PoorManQ45]

"I heard that they made an air cooler fiberglass engine that runs on water. Water man! But the government is keeping it a secret"

[AZhitman]

Keep it rolling....

Guys, sending a link to this thread to everyone in your Contacts List would be a good start.

I'm doing my part (damn Datsun graveyard over here) but the reality is, this impacts everyone.

[raremotive]

Sent.
Modified by Rare_f8 at 10:57 AM 12/30/2008

[leesredgt]

I sent her a peice of my mind!!!!

[AZhitman]

Attaboy, Lee.

Think about it guys: What possible argument could Ms. Pelosi make in favor of such a short-sighted and ignorant piece of legislation?

I've examined nearly every supporting point they can come up with and can refute each one with clear and convincing logic...

My hope is that Prez-Elect Obama will start to see the folly of having her aboard and cut her loose before she does something really damaging to his administration.