I heard on the radio that Obama's tailpipe emissions program, under which he expects US automakers to improve their fuel efficiency in 18 months and will allow each state to pass their own tailpipe emissions standards, will add between $2000 and $10,000 to the cost of each new vehicle.
Obama's "stimulus" package, which I've heard will pass the House today, contains some real doozies:
- $572 million for the coast guard for acquisition, construction & improvements. They promise to create 1,235 new jobs. At $460,000 per job!
- $200 million for Dept of Defense to buy alternative energy vehicles.
- $200 million for plug in stations for the Dept of Defense to plug in their cars, at a cost of $3,700 per plug in station
- $25 million for improving ATV trails (hey, here's an idea - how about if people who want to drive an ATV pay a fee to use a trail? Hmmm?)
- $400 million for HIV and chlamydia testing
- $1.5 BILLION for a "carbon capturing contest"
- $75 million for smoking cessation
- $66 BILLION for the Dept. of Education - but NONE of that to private schools!!
How does ANY of this stimulate the economy? Sure, a few select groups can hire a few people but here's a simple idea - how about, for fiscal year 2009, there's massive tax cut to businesses. Or a moratorium on capital gains taxes? Talk about a jump start to the economy! But no, instead lets spend $400 million so people can get tested for AIDS.
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