New Fox News Op-ed: Cash for Clunkers Is No Success

Here is the beginning of my new piece up at Fox News.

Only in Washington could a program that is spending money 13 times faster than planned be labeled a "success." The "cash-for-clunkers" program ground to a halt last week because in less than a week, a program that was supposed to last until November 1, had spent the entire $1 billion allocated to it. Let's just hope that the government takeover of the rest of the health care industry doesn't result in similar "success."

Unfortunately, the House voted late last week by an overwhelming 316 to 109 margin to spend $2 billion more on the program. The Senate is scheduled to take up the issue this week.

The "clunkers" program is supposed to stimulate the economy as well as to reduce greenhouse gases. To encourage new car sales, owners of older cars get either $3,500 or $4,500 when buying a new car. The program has been plagued with just about every problem possible. The Department of Transportation computer system has been unable to register deals made under the program. Car dealerships find themselves saddled with expensive ad campaigns touting the government subsidies at the same time the subsidy program is in limbo. . . .