*Unless you’re a U.S. Taxpayer.
The same trillion-dollar ‘stimulus’ bill that gave us “Cash for Clunkers,” will soon present its “Chargers for Chevys” program.
As with “Cash for Clunkers,” in which Washington required American taxpayers to give other people $3,500 to $4,500 to buy nicer, newer, more energy-efficient cars, “Chargers for Chevys” will require American taxpayers to supply free* (*$2,000) home-electric charging stations for the first 4,400 people lucky enough to afford the new Chevrolet Volt (which the company plans to unveil in October).
Also like the “Clunkers” program, any boost from “Chargers” is likely to be temporary at best, and unlikely to benefit anyone beyond car dealers, a select few new-car buyers — and in this case, Chevy.
Beyond the obvious concerns of wasteful spending, “Chargers” calls into question whether Washington should be in the business of subsidizing a particular industry – or the buyers of a specific brand of product – essentially picking marketplace winners and losers.
What is not in question: Washington “stimulus” deals are not giving Americans what we need — real, sustainable economic growth that produces real, sustainable American jobs.
