International Falls Journal - Creativity and the recession - Comments

I also find myself agreeing

Thomas L. Johnson — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:00:55 -0500

I also find myself agreeing with karenc and GASP roj that the donation system is a good one and should be encouraged and not undercut by this public sector program. A few years ago, I drove a pretty good but irritating Corsica to a donation lot and was given a voucher for market value. Then the government came in and reduced that deduction the next year-- I believe it was that big government president, GWB.

Now our government seems to want to get into the rebate business. If I go out to trade an American-made gas guzzler with all its mechanical problems for a KIA, I am helping put most transmission repair shops out of business and not really helping bring back Chrysler or GM. The government can't demand that the rebate go for US cars only as that is a violation of World Trade Organization policy, so the whole thing becomes a shot in the dark.

I think that some of these band-aids are going to create wounds in spots that the band-aids were not placed. That is what we mean by unintended consequences.

Anyone having a "gas

roj2000 — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 09:34:31 -0500

Anyone having a "gas guzzling" 55, 56 or 57 Chevy pls email me and I will give you $7,500 for it, and you can go buy one of these energy efficient midget cars. And when I meet you head on with my 57 Chevy or Olds, all I can say is, "GOOD LUCK"!!!!

By the way, I agree 100% with "karenc's" comments above. I love it when "The Chosen One's" Administration throws out these rediculous programs without giving someone 24 hrs to read it.

I can't wait until they come after my gas guzzler RV. But, it probably gets better mileage than some of your 4WD pickemup trucks Y'all have up there. Has anyone ever thought of reducing the amount of miles they actually drive?? I tried it, and I reduced my gas bill by 25%. Most Americans (including me) could use some walking, etc.... But, take a drive on a Sunday afternoon and see how congested the roads are. It's hard to believe we have a "hurting economy"! Sure fooled me.....

I wonder who the "O" Admin "trade in Czar" is?? Good job for Al Franken.

60% the cars that are

karenc — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 19:45:07 -0500

60% the cars that are currently donated to charity will now be eligible for a $3500 or $4500 voucher under the cash for clunkers program. Since the tax deduction for donating a car is only $500 or what the car sells charities won't be able to compete with the program and charitable car donation will end. A better idea is to just change the amount a person can deduct for donating their car back to the book value. That way every car is eligible, the government doesn't have to spend $4 million of our dollars giving away vouchers and trying to administer a program that is way too convoluted!

Creativity and the recession

Journal Staff — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:20:31 -0500

Revving the economy will take creativity, and a cash for clunkers program fits the bill.