Old Car Scrappage Alert

[Dick Ryan <deloreanbiker@xxxx>]

[Moderator Note] - Edited slightly - Look at this as an "announcement", not the start of a thread. Replies will probably not be posted due to a lack of specific DeLorean content. Additional information at http://www.sema.org/fedleg/fedredhot/scrappage1201.html

Moderator: Websites for VW's, Street Rods and the like
are posting this to make collectors aware. Since this
affects our DeLoreans as well, I think it should be
posted on the DML. I am forwarding it as received.

Dick Ryan
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
--- Steve Watson <steve@xxxx>
wrote:
> URGENT ALERT
> U.S. SENATE BILL WOULD FUND SCRAPPAGE PROGRAMS
> NATIONALLY
> 
> 
> We have recently been advise by SEMA, the Specialty
> Equipment Market
> Association, the trade association for automotive
> aftermarket product
> manufacturers, retailers, representatives, etc., of
> the following
> significant development.
> 
> A Senate bill (#S.1766), authored by Senators
> Daschle (D-SD) and Bingaman
> (D-NM), has been introduced in the Senate containing
> a provision (Section
> 803) that would federally fund state scrappage
> programs for vehicles over 15
> years old. Owners who turn in an "old" vehicle would
> receive a minimum
> payment and a future credit towards the purchase of
> a new vehicle.
> 
> This section 803 scrappage funding is a misguided
> attempt to improve the
> overall fuel economy of the country1s vehicle fleet
> and represents a
> significant threat to our hobby and industry.
> 
> This bill:
> 
> - would unfairly and unjustifiable deny automotive
> enthusiasts and
> businesses the vintage automobiles necessary to
> their activities.
> 
> - would give states that don't currently have a
> scrappage program an extra
> incentive to create one due to the generous federal
> funding.
> 
> - requires that federally funded state scrappage
> programs crush every car,
> threatening enthusiasts nationwide with the loss of
> valuable and often
> irreplaceable parts and parts-cars for repair,
> restoration and customization
> projects.
> 
> - does not require that the states determine the
> fuel efficiency of the
> vehicle being scrapped or that it is in fact
> replaced by a more fuel
> efficient vehicle.
> 
> - ignores the fact that vehicles that are turned in
> for scrappage often do
> not run and are not even capable of being driven or
> are a second or third
> vehicle that has little or no impact upon overall
> fuel economy.
> 
> - would diminish the availability of affordable
> transportation and repair
> parts to low-income drivers as more-and-more
> vehicles are crushed.
> 
> - does not assure that the individual receiving the
> crusher credit would
> even use it, let alone to buy a new, more
> fuel-efficient vehicle.
> 
> - ignores more socially responsible and
> cost-effective options like vehicle
> repair or upgrade to maximize the fuel efficiency of
> existing vehicles.
> 
> - is exceedingly costly and wasteful of materials
> and energy by destroying
> existing, potentially operational, low cost vehicles
> with the intent of
> their being replaced with new high cost vehicles
> manufactured from high cost
> energy sources. 
> 
> The entire added cost of such a scrappage program -
> the cost of crushing,
> the cost of the future credit, the cost of
> administering the program(s) and
> the cost of buying replacement vehicle(s) - is paid
> for by US the tax payers
> and consumers, not by U.S. as in Uncle Sam.
> 
> We are requesting that you
> do the following two
> things:
> 
> 1. Please write both of your state senators a brief,
> to-the-point letter,
> stating your opposition to Section 803 of Senate
> bill S.1766. The addresses
> for your Senators can usually be found in your local
> telephone directory. Of
> course if you live in South Dakota or New Mexico you
> might want to express
> your strong disappointment to Senators Daschle and
> Bingaman, but be polite.
> 
> 2. Tell everyone you know who is interested in "old"
> cars and trucks about
> this bill and request their support by writing
> letters, too. Send this to
> email buddies, customers, friends, club members,
> anyone and everyone who may
> be interested. Ask your local parts store to place
> copies on the front
> counter. It is essential that this get stopped
> before it can be enacted,
> reversal once in place and funded is nearly
> impossible.
> 
> This is not a fake email scam like the 5 cent email
> tax hoax.
> This is a real danger from the real villains -
> Congress.
> 
> If you follow these things, you know that there has
> never been a vehicle
> scrappage program that has had a measurable result
> in achieving the stated
> objectives. These programs always cost more and
> achieve less (if anything of
> any good at all) than the well intended but
> ill-informed lawmakers who
> enacted them had in mind. Please help to protect our
> hobby, sport,
> industry...what ever you call it, it is all of our
> fun, our enjoyment and
> our way of life that is facing a real threat.
> 
> Thank you very much.
> 
> Steve Watson
> Watson1s StreetWorks