Why am I skeptical? Why do I refer to these opportunists ill informed? Let me explain, in my own opinion.

To start off with, the feds are throwing money at a problem once again. As the initial $1 billion has been exhausted, Congress is working to appropriate another $2 billion in additional funding for the program. That’s another $2 billion of YOUR tax dollars. They just love to spend other people’s money. Let’s stop this out of control spending!

Now let’s look at some specifics. The main promotion of this program is to get the older, gas guzzlers off the roads by luring consumers into the dealerships to buy new, more fuel efficient vehicles. This in itself is a good idea. However, there is much more to this program than meets the eye.

The rules are not that difficult and any dealer will help you through the process. You, your vehicle, qualifies for the program if the new vehicle you are purchasing gets better fuel economy than the clunker you’re trading in. If the difference is 10 mpg or greater, you will receive the full $4500. But what if your trade-in is actually worth more? Sorry Charlie, you’re out of luck, it will still be a max of $4500. With this in mind, make sure you know what your vehicle is worth BEFORE deciding to get into the clunkers program.

For example, I headed to GM’s Cash For Clunkers web page to see what I’d get. I put in my vehicle’s details, 2000 Blazer (that’s the smaller one for those of you who don’t know) and put it up against the purchase of a 2009 Canyon Crew Cab 4X4, something comparable. GM’s calculator gave me an estimated voucher vale of $3500. Not in this lifetime, home boy. The NADA (New Automobile Dealers Association) book value for my buggy is $7200 retail, $5500 trade-in. So if I was to take “Advantage” of the CARS program, I would be losing two grand at a minimum. Not a good deal in my eyes seeing as I look at all this “Tree Hugger” global warming hype as bogus babble. Don’t get me wrong here, I do care about the environment but, common sense must be used.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. So much more if this program lurks beneath the icy political waters. Herein lay the harmful details of program. After caving in to the global warming mongers – although more like caving in to their money (campaign donations), our federal government began their quest to push through the “Cap and Trade” legislation. To their surprise, the citizens of this nation were not so excepting of the huge additional tax burden and power grab Congress attempted to hide in the bill. Thanks to the many conservatives who ventured to actually read the language contained within the some fourteen hundred pages of the bill and expose its contents. So, to circumvent some of this proposed legislation the CARS program was initiated.

To begin, CARS takes older vehicles off the road, good. This increases safety and fuel efficiency. These vehicles are destroyed; engines are drained of oil and filled with some type of corrosive material, then run until they fail. The vehicle is then scrapped as a complete unit, not so good. Let’s look at this portion of the plan. So far, 250,000 are in line to be scrapped. What about the salvageable parts from these vehicles? There won’t be any. So now, the millions of backyard mechanics across the country won’t be able to take advantage this great surplus of available parts to make needed repairs on their own vehicles. They will be forced to pay higher prices for salvage parts or purchase new parts at even higher costs. If you are not the backyard mechanic type and rely on your local garage to do the work, you too will have to pay more because the salvage part option will become very limited. For those not in a position to make a new car purchase, or newer car, and now not have the availability of salvage parts or paying higher costs, their vehicle will not be repaired as needed, possibly making it less safe. So now the safety aspect of the program is a wash.

Now, financially the program looks appealing. The problem is with who it is appealing to. American consumers are notably suckers for a “Deal”. Are we recreating our housing and mortgage problem within the automotive sales industry? How many of these new car consumers, utilizing the CARS program can actually, sensibly afford that new car? I know that taking personal responsibility with your finances should be a given, but have we already forgotten the collapse of the housing and mortgage market. Again, I’m afraid, we will see too many people making poor personal finance decisions based on the “Deal” they can get and not thinking long term. I think I night get into the auto repo industry because in a few months it will be booming. There are very few vehicles available in today’s new car market that one can purchase without seeing monthly payments of four hundred a month or more.

You must be responsible and plan ahead, this is a major purchase! Unemployment is still on the increase, is your job safe? Congress is pushing to pass legislation that will cost you more of your hard earned money; can you take an extra two hundred dollars out of your family’s current monthly budget in addition taxes and still afford that new car payment? And if you fall behind and the repo man shows up late one night, in the dark, and separates you from your new car; wouldn’t you have been better keeping your “Clunker” a little longer, or at least until you could truly afford to upgrade your ride? The result; now you’re walking and having to look for another clunker for transportation – which there will be fewer of; and dealing with a questionable used car “Buy Here Pay Here” dealer. Now, how beneficial was the “Cash For Clunkers” program for you?

Washington says that CARS will stimulate the auto industry by creating the need for more manufacturing, generate additional local income and luxury (if you pay this like I have to) tax intake with the sale and boost income in the form of vehicle registration fees. I agree in principle but at what cost. Of course Washington wants to stimulate and increase manufacturing, they own the industry. However, the only winners here will be Obama’s favorite group of people, union workers. They will continue to be overpaid and receive outrageous benefits. Your local governments will benefit by the additional income, but we have already seen that they, like Washington, have no idea of how to be fiscally responsible so the funds will be squandered; “Monkey See, Monkey Do”. As for increased registration fees, I don’t see where the feds are getting that idea. Swapping a car for a car, the numbers remain the same, no increase in registrations.

We fall to easily prey to government “Programs” because we have become naturally shortsighted. The CARS program is not directed to those who CAN AFFORD that new car, rather, those who CANNOT. For those who can afford that new car will go out and make that purchase, regardless. Our government has no business being involved in selling cars. If manufactures want to sell their products, they need to make whatever changes are needed to assure that they can reduce their costs so that the sticker price is affordable.

Will this decrease our energy dependence? Possibly, but minimally. Will this reduce carbon emissions with any impact? NO!

250,000 Americans may have already made what may become a serious mistake by partaking in the CARS program. Don’t be the next victim of federal meddling. Educate yourself before you take that drive to the new car lot. Don’t get taken for the ride of your life.