George Bush started a mess by signing a law requiring vehicle fleets to average 35 miles per gallon by 2020.
Barack Obama and the Congress changed this to 2016 forcing vehicle manufacturers to step up efforts and spend billions to retool at a faster pace and the automotive industry had no choice but to accept because the government owns two of the big three. The move will greatly curtail the sales of SUVs because SUVs will not be able to get the kind of mileage that the CAFE requires and will incur a surcharge for being a gas guzzler.
The reason that SUVs and other powerful vehicles consume more is because it takes more fuel to generate more power, power required to use these vehicles to their fullest potential.
The CAFE standards will not apply to Barack Obama’s limousine, a vehicle that weighs 5 tons and though the fuel mileage is not published, one can safely assume it is fewer than 10 miles to the gallon. The vehicle has 5 inch think bullet proof glass and is armored to protect its occupants. There is no way to get fuel efficiency in a vehicle like that. The same is true for Bush who signed the original law. His limo got poor mileage as well.
But, but, he is an important man and needs the protection.
No doubt, but he is no more important than any of the citizens who employ him, pay his salary and pay for his vehicle. Yes, he gets the protection and we pay for it.
Fine, but why should we not be able to choose vehicles that suit our needs without having to pay more? Why should our selections decrease because the people who drive gas guzzlers (many of whom drive leased vehicles we pay for) and who do what they want?
Many people need SUVs or similar vehicles to do their jobs. People have to go to work regardless of the weather. Doctors, nurse, police officers, firefighters, and many others all have to go to work no matter what it is like outside. Why should any of these people not be entitled and FREE to buy the vehicles they think will best meet their needs without paying more? Why should their choices be limited?
It is pretty hypocritical for these people to drive gas guzzlers that we pay for and then to tell us that we have to drive vehicles that meet standards that do not apply to them.
Obama said that he asked if this type vehicle (his limo) comes in a hybrid (only a moron would not know that answer) and he basically has no choice in the matter. This is true but remember that Obama did not drive a hybrid as a personal vehicle until he started his bid for the White House. Prior to that he drove a Chrysler 300 with a Hemi engine. Those cars get about 17 miles per gallon.
If that is the car he wanted to drive then good for him. He chose a car that got fuel mileage that is about half of what will be imposed on us (just to note, my Jeep gets better mileage than that Chrysler 300) and that was his choice. That is what freedom is about.
In order to appeal to the enviro-nuts he went to a hybrid when he ran for the White House. And he asked about a hybrid limo knowing full well that they could not make one.
This is another case of good enough for me but not for thee.
Where I live it snows during the winter and sometimes those snowstorms are heavy and deep. People in critical jobs must get to work and many people with SUVs offer to drive critical employees to work. Unlike the slugs in DC who closed down the city, those in the real world with critical jobs must get to work.
Why should people who pay the salaries of every person in Congress and the Obama administration be required to pay more for vehicles they have to have when those very people who make the standards drive vehicles that will never meet them?
In fact, why should someone pay more for a vehicle, whether he needs it or simply wants it, just because it is on the hit list of people in DC?
The new standards go in effect in 2016. People who want SUVs need to buy them before then to slip in before the standards take effect.
One other thing to keep in mind. Any savings reported by changing to a more fuel efficient vehicle are dependent on the price of gas.
Freedom means the freedom to choose a vehicle that you want without being punished for the choice.
Never surrender, never submit.
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