| The US auto industry remains embroiled in its | | | | help one million buyers, therefore our legislators |
| worst downturn in more than a generation, with | | | | should expect that the program will need to be |
| little sign that things will improve in the coming | | | | expanded down the line. Perhaps offering the deal |
| months. This is bad news for an industry that | | | | to the first five million buyers from the onset |
| impacts millions of jobs, one more drag on a | | | | would give consumers the encouragement they |
| battered economy. | | | | need to buy now. |
| Debating Cash For Clunkers Legislation | | | | Trickling Down To Help The Economy |
| Congress has been debating the merits of | | | | Funding for the scrappage program - traded-in |
| presenting a bill that could ease the suffering of | | | | vehicles would head to the scrap yard - still needs |
| the car industry, legislations commonly called "cash | | | | to be set aside, but given that the current |
| for clunkers" to reflect the trading in of an older | | | | administration is proposing a whopping tax hike, |
| car for a new one. This program, which is headed | | | | some of the monies could come from that pot. |
| for final consideration, currently plans to offer | | | | Regardless, once the program is in place, the |
| new car buyers as much as $4500 to trade in | | | | boost to the economy should be significant in the |
| their old cars for something new and more fuel | | | | form of increased tax revenue and fees, |
| efficient. | | | | improved dealership sales, job retention, and |
| The idea for "cash for clunkers" initiated overseas | | | | more. |
| where in Germany that country's scrappage | | | | Many businesses will thrive as new car owners |
| program has been overwhelmingly successful. The | | | | purchase accessories to go with their cars and |
| German solution to helping a battered industry | | | | choose other enhancements to personalize their |
| was initially established to assist the first 600,000 | | | | buying experience. These steps, taken collectively, |
| consumers who took advantage of the program. | | | | could help lead our nation out of a prolonged |
| But, because the program has been such an | | | | recession into what many hope will become a |
| overwhelming success, it is being expanded to | | | | new age of prosperity. Let's just hope that our |
| reach two million car buyers. | | | | elected officials come up with the right plan...and |
| Currently, the proposed US program is set up to | | | | soon! |