The headline reads, Obama’s new rules will transform US auto fleet. One question–what US auto fleet? There is no US auto fleet, unless all vehicles in the US are owned by the government. With these new developments, that may not be far off.
The Obama Administration imposed new rules for the automotive industry today, set to go into effect by 2016. The rules are designed to increase mileage in all vehicles sold in the US.
Of course, there is a price tag associated with imposing these new regulations. The Obama team is estimating an additional cost of $1300 per vehicle. The actual cost will be closer to $7000. The additional costs will be the result of car makers needing to retool their factories to comply with the new laws.
Critics might argue that CAFE laws were in place years before Obama showed up. Yes, and they were wrong then, too. Obama is taking them to the next level.
Here is a rule of thumb I wish every politician would be required to honor, and every American would memorize. Any law that requires you to pay money to be in compliance is bad law. Good, positive law shouldn’t cost you a dime.
Obama is dictating changes in how the automotive industry will operate for the next decade or more, without any Constitutional authority. He controls how companies can operate, what kind of car you can buy, and how you can spend your money. Property rights just went out the door.
Obama is working toward an increase in gas prices, as well. He wants to see more hybrids on the road, but “automakers have said they need stable, relatively high gasoline prices to create a market for electric vehicles.”
Sales of hybrid cars have fallen drastically along with the drop in gas prices. If Obama is to get his wish, he will have to put restrictions on gas supplies in the US to keep prices artificially high, which means he will effectively control the production of gasoline.
The new standards will also mean smaller, lighter cars, which in turn will mean more traffic fatalities and higher costs of repair.
Every step Obama takes brings his Socialist Utopia a little closer to reality. Conservatives should be fighting him tooth and nail every step of the way.
By 2010, we will need to have people ready to take elected office who are not afraid to roll back everything he has done, who value Liberty and Freedom more than Popularity. It will not be enough to do half the job. Remember that Ronald Reagan fell short on his promise to eliminate the Department of Education. We cannot fall short now. The stakes are much too high.
