Cash For Clunkers Bill Driven by Auto Lobby

The recent passing of the "Cash-for-Clunkers" Bill signals another short-sighted attempt to keep Americans addicted to oil for the sake of the economy. This Bill is nothing but a clever way to give the auto industry more taxpayer money. At best this program will bring only marginal environmental benefits with weak requirements such as a new car getting at least 4 more miles per gallon than the old car will be eligible for a $3,500 voucher. Give me a break, why can't this country move forward with sustainable transportation policies?

Conversely, the Scrap-It program in British Columbia, Canada takes its trade-in program several steps further with vouchers for transit, bicycles and car shares. Now this is a real attempt to get people on the path to sustainable mobility. Once again U.S. policy makers show they are pawns to big industry and public opinion means almost nothing at the end of the day.