Elena’s Recent Comments

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  I don't like the cash for clunkers program at all.  We're subsidizing the purchase of cars with several thousand dollars in credits, and these cars don't even get what I'd consider good gas mileage.  I got a one-time 1,500 tax credit for buying my Toyota Prius six years ago.  I was rewarded (albeit begrudgingly by many in Congress) for spending more of my own money than necessary on a car so that I could support a burgeoning technology that resulted in average mileage of 50 mpg and lower emissions.  Now that technology is even better and more widely used and cheaper.  How is the cash for clunkers program going to result in positive environmental change?

  I see people featured in news coverage of this 'cash for clunkers' program driving off lots with SUVs subsidized through this program.  I've seen news interviews where the people are excited by using the money to 'upgrade' their ride.  Billions of dollars spent in support of a program that is continuing an auto-dependent nation but is disguised by a 'green' label.  And even with the credit, should most of these people be taking on more debt in a time of recession on a product that lost value the minute they drove it off the lot?  

  What if we'd spent that cash for clunkers money on improving mass transit?  My town could really use the help with funding our bus system.  They've got great plans and programs but the funding is getting hard to find.  They're laying off people.  The stimulus money resulted in a few new buses ( replaced two of several 1994-96 buses that have been on their last wheels for years now and break down nearly daily).  Meanwhile the ridership need is going up.  I'm a daily bus rider and biker and would love to see our bus system live up to its potential.

  My two cents.

   

   

   

  On GOP opposes successful "Cash for Clunkers" posted 3 months ago 2 Responses

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  Heck, I'd almost trade my car for a keg of Fat Tire Single Track.  Can't buy the stuff in Florida for some reason. Seriously, though, my family did sell one car last year and is now a single car family.  I have a great commuter bike and I bus and bike to work now.  My husband telecommutes most days.  I've noticed a few of my neighbors have also recently gone the one-car or less route and are loving it and reaping the health and financial rewards.  I can only hope it's the start of a trend.... we'll see.  Thanks for the great story!

  On Would you trade your car for a bike? posted 3 months, 1 week ago 3 Responses

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  Insurance subsidies and sprawl

  Re: "The sun-belt shift has meant millions of new people in areas subject to extreme drought, wild fires, hurricanes, and flooding, at precisely the time when scientists expect such events to become less predictable and more severe."

  Proper land use planning for disaster-prone regions, and having real free market insurance would help reduce sprawl into places like coastal Florida.  Stop the government (taxpayer)insurance subsidies for those who want to live in these regions and you will considerably slow or maybe stop some of this sprawl.

   On Land-use policy is not a laughing matter posted 1 year, 10 months ago 24 Responses