Obama’s ‘Cash 4 Clunkers’ rebate program aims to take your clunker off your hands in exchange for $3,500 – $4,500 cash towards a newer more gas-efficient auto — as long as your clunker doesn’t get 18 miles to the gallon. But here’s the twist, the engines in these so-called ‘clunkers’ must be destroyed on the lot, by the dealer, before the government will pay the dealers.
So what’s occurring all around the country is that perfectly good cars that were driven to school, to the grocery store and to doctor’s appointments yesterday are being destroyed today.
Here’s a video documenting the destruction of a late model Volvo’s perfectly good engine. The dealer drains the oil and antifreeze from the Volvo, then a sodium silicate solution is poured into the engine. As the engine is revved, the solution solidifies into glass and the engine seizes up and blows.
As you watch this video, hopefully you’re not one of those moms who could use a perfectly good running car to take your kids to school, or to a doctor’s appointment. And I hope you don’t run a charitable organization that could have used that Volvo as a donation or a tax write off.
If you’re thinking this is a great incentive to get junk cars off the road, remember that, as with all government programs, this one also has the potential for abuse.
I hear that used car dealerships which normally sell cars for under $4,500 are now busy destroying the engines on those cars and turning the paperwork in to the government for reimbursement. Don’t believe me? Try buying a used car for under $4,500 anywhere in the city.
Just an example of more wastefulness courtesy of the Obama administration that we will end up paying for in the long run.
