GOVERNMENT NONSENSE

TRADING IN YOUR OLD GAS-GUZZLER COULD GET YOU A $4,500 VOUCHER TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF A NEW, FUEL-EFFICIENT CAR:

If there's one thing the federal government has done enough of, it's throwing taxpayer money . . . at the AUTOMAKERS.

So I'm sure you'll LOVE this new plan . . . On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed a new bill offering vouchers worth up to $4,500 . . . to anyone who turns in an old gas-guzzler and exchanges it for a new, more fuel-efficient car.

So how exactly would the so-called "cash for clunkers" program work? -Basically, if a car owner turns in an old junker that gets 18 miles per gallon or less, and buys a new car which gets at least 22 miles per gallon . . . they'll get a $3,500 voucher toward the purchase of their new car. And if the mileage of the new car is TEN miles per gallon HIGHER than the old car, the value of the voucher would increase to $4,500.

For example, if you traded in a car that got 16 miles per gallon for one that got 26 miles per gallon, you'd get the $4,500. (--So you know, the bill is unclear about whether we're talking city miles per gallon . . . or highway miles per gallon.)

Supporters of the bill say the program will:

#1.) Stimulate car sales
#2.) Get gas-guzzlers off the road . . . and replace them with fuel-efficient cars

--Before it can become law, the "cash for clunkers" bill will have to be approved by the Senate. Overall, the program is expected to cost $4 BILLION.

(--I know what you're thinking . . . even with these vouchers, who's got enough money lying around in THIS economy to buy a new car?) (Yahoo News)