FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
The popular "cash for clunkers" program is out of cash; and its fate now lies in the hands of the Senate. The initial pool for rebates to trade in gas guzzlers was $1 billion; and the Obama administration says it will end the program next week if they don't get more money. The House already voted for an additional $2 billion.
So far, the cash for clunkers program has led to the sale of 250,000 new vehicles. It helped bring Ford its first monthly sales increase in two-years. Also, the administration says that 62-percent of the traded-in vehicles are trucks; and people are replacing them with cars that get better mileage.
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan says car and truck building was rebounding even before this program started; but he adds that the "extraordinary response" shows confidence in the economy is picking up.
Meanwhile - Republicans are asking how the government will be able to handle massive health care reform if they can't manage a smaller-scale program like this. Senator Jim Demint - one of the president's toughest critics these days - says it's an example of the "stupidity coming out of Washington right now." Senator John McCain has said he would lead a filibuster against the bill for the additional $2 billion.
Other critics say the rebates are mostly helping out middle-class people who would have eventually bought a new car anyway...
Here’s my question to you: Should the Senate approve another $2 billion for the "cash for clunkers" program?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Ruie from Brownstown, Michigan writes:
Dear Jack, Definitely! Living here in Michigan, I can see with my own eyes the renewed excitement of a light at the end of the tunnel - and that's just with 1 week of this program! What I don't understand is these Southern Republicans who are threatening to block it - after all, (unfortunately for Michigan), it covered foreign makes of cars that are made down south. Why wouldn't they be for stimulating the economy in their own backyard? Oh, could it be? They would slit their own throats now to thwart any progress? Gotta keep Americans down, gotta get ready for 2010!
Jimmy from San Francisco writes:
It's crazy that they are even considering spending another $2 billion we don't have! The money is spent, the program is over.
Nancy from Lincoln, Nebraska writes:
Compared to other things the government wastes money on, this is a drop in the bucket and actually does some good. The Republicans never saw a tax break for business they didn't like. The only reason they don't like this one is that they didn't think it up.
Mellie from Phoenix writes:
Absolutely not! This bill highlights how America has become wasteful and thoughtless. Everything, even perfectly good working cars, are now disposable and sent to the scrap metal yard so that people can take on more debt and buy something they probably don't need. Not only that, but many of these cars being destroyed can easily be resold to others or at least the parts could be resold.
Russell from Bethel, Alaska writes:
This program is the only widely popular programs out of Washington in years. It cuts dependence on foreign oil, helps the environment, boosts the economy, and unlike most government programs, it actually gives the average American a break. The fact that these blowhards are even considering filibustering it is ridiculous.