Obama on cars

[Matthijs]

http://plugsandcars.blogspot.com/2008/05/obama-on-cars.html

[appyfan]

I don't really trust that guy...

[KarenRei]

This is great news :) He used to be focused more on biofuels, but he seems to focus more and more these days on PHEVs and EVs. And he almost never focuses on hydrogen, which is bonus points in my book.

I don't really trust that guy...

Why?
He has the endorsement of Friends of the Earth.

Either way, odds are very good he's going to be the next president (Clinton would need to win 69% of the remaining delegates, and that's simply not going to happen; plus, even with the dems tearing themselves apart, he *still* polls significantly better than McCain, which is a very bad omen for McCain's candidacy), so what he says is most definitely news. And, as EV purchasers, it could mean extra tax incentives for us or benefits for EV companies (meaning lower priced and more diverse EVs).

[appyfan]

I just don't. I have my reasons. Plus if Hillary won, it would be two presidents for the price of one...

[aptera1213]

i would suggest we keep this forum as politically free as possible....

politics can tear any forum apart...

lets focus on aptera and other EV discussions and leave obama and clinton and mccain out of it...i'm sure we all have reasons to like or dislike, to trust or distrust any of the three...we should problem keep that to family and friends and to political sites...

election years are tough on all boards...we break off a separate site on my mac board each election year...tempers flare and the internet is a poor filter (people say things and such that they would never do face to face...and inflection and such is lost on the screen)


g

(of course i'm biased...i've looked him in the eye, i've shook his hand...we are both 46, raised mostly by our mothers, both from families of divorce, both in long term marriage with our first (and only i hope) wife and both have two beautiful, intelligent, grace-filled daughters...so i kinda like the guy...but, like i said, i'm biased...i like hil too...)

[Kaitsdad]

i would suggest we keep this forum as politically free as possible....

politics can tear any forum apart...

lets focus on aptera and other EV discussions and leave obama and clinton and mccain out of it...i'm sure we all have reasons to like or dislike, to trust or distrust any of the three...we should problem keep that to family and friends and to political sites...

election years are tough on all boards...we break off a separate site on my mac board each election year...tempers flare and the internet is a poor filter (people say things and such that they would never do face to face...and inflection and such is lost on the screen)


g

Thank You.

[aptera1213]

ha, you're welcome...and i added some to my post...

more proof that what i said about keeping this site apolitical is best...even i can't help throwing in stuff i shouldn't

grrrrr....

i apologize for bringing any politics here...i will stop now

[KarenRei]

So... how 'bout that gas tax holiday? :)

[Chupacabra]

So... how 'bout that gas tax holiday? :)

They better freeze gas rates also on that day, because I can totally see everyone in the USA trying to either top off or fill up on the same day and loser gas stations rasing rates just to capitalize. I'm sure you'll still save, it just won't be as much. Not to mention there will probably be gas shortages if that many try to get gas on the same day. Is it really a good idea?.. perhaps either have several of them in a month, or a gas holiday week so its not all concentrated on one single day.

[aptera1213]

So... how 'bout that gas tax holiday? :)


you are an evil person ;)

i am resisting answering this question...soooo difficult not to start a rant about road and bridge repair vs more money to saudi and venezuela and such pockets

[n_dawg]

Leave the gas tax alone. If the car companies want to maintain the roads, get rid of it. Institute a carbon dioxide tax and use the money for drought and storm relief. Remove tax breaks for oil companies. Allow emissions trading.

And to think, I used to self-professed libertarianism…

[KarenRei]

Aptera1213: Evil, no? :)

I'd love to see a gas tax *increase*. I'd package it in the same bill as a cut in payroll taxes and providing tax credits (or even vouchers) for fuel-efficient cars and trucks, so it's revenue-neutral. I'd call it the "2008 Fuel Conservation and Assistance Act", or something of that nature. That would undercut the main argument people use against a gas tax hike -- that it'd hurt the poor. If you drive less than average, you benefit. If you drive more than average, and you refuse to upgrade to a more fuel-efficient vehicle, you lose. Gas prices remain high, encouraging development of alternative energy sources. The world wins.

I have a feeling that the only "gas tax" that's going to go through will be roundabout -- taxing oil companies extra. This will directly translate to higher gas prices, but it won't *seem* like it to the average person. Of course, if they did it stupidly, it could just end up hurting American oil companies and increasing the market share of foreign ones. Nobody would win in that situation.

[aptera1213]

just evil in the fact that it will raise politically leaning discussions...

i personally agree with a European type tax to help decrease fuel use...but then i ride a scooter that gets 70 mph or a scooter that gets 55 mph (for long trips and highway use) or my bicycle...so it's easy for me to want to see 5 or 6 bucks a gallon...since i only use a gallon or two a week

the aptera will be the first car i've had in years...

taxing oil companies....mmmm...i would just start with removing tax breaks on a business making insane gobs of money first...

but again, evil for starting a tax good vs tax bad political discussion...grrrr