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I take it you're real happy with the program.... How are you liking your new vehicle?

I'm wondering if the program is worldwide? Or just the U.S. and Europe?

Nevertheless, it proved to be a big success for the car manufacturers. I was disappointed that they didn't include "used" upgrades to reach less financially prosperous individuals.

I'm so soured on the whole government right now with the bailout of autos, banks, take-over healthcare, (no big screen tv's in CA-ha!), cap & trade, the real estate market, unemployment rates, ect., that it's difficult for me to be excited about any government program at this point. I'm really, REALLY, and truly concerned about the future of the United States right now. Our children and their grandchildren, and theirs.... are in for it, ESPECIALLY if government run health care passes. We're in deep doo-doo folks!

Hi, MtnLady!

Thanks for listing the gas prices link for everyone. I actually love my new car. We had not purchased a new car for many years, and the truck we traded was used. So, it was a very happy occassion for us. My husband especially loves to see that the gas gage does not move when he climbs up the hills around here. ( I am a mountain lady, too!) On one trip to the physician in Pittsburgh, PA, my husband actually got 40 miles to the gallon! Of course, a hot day and light traffic helped. Normally we get about 38 on that trip. It now only costs us about 6 gallons of gas, vs two fillups on the truck. And, we can even afford to stop and eat if the doctor was running late and we are hungry!

I personally have not driven the car as I can no longer drive after my auto accident. It affected my eyes and also I take seizures. I no longer see "reality" and have no concept of space. I reality don't wish to injure anyone, so I am happy just sitting in the new car.

My elderly mom, just raves about the new "sensible" car we purchased. It is very nice, but not cluttered with a lot of things we don't need or use.

The only thing I wanted with the new car was the ability to transport all my gardening supplies in the spring: potting soil, boards, planters, etc. And, this car has that capacity. I will miss being able to bring home furnishings, cement block and extra long boards, however. But, we can always have it delivered, or rent a truck at Lowes, which is only 2 miles from our home, so we should have the truck loaded and back within the first hour.

Having worked in the "inner circle" of "Big Business" all of my career, I can tell you that these difficult times are often "contrived" by them. I often had to do the work of 3 or 4 people in order to keep my job. My husband, who worked for a bank, never came home without a briefcase full of work. He received only "compensation time off" which of course, he never received. Once, I went for 4 years without receiving any raise, but the owners always received their bonuses. I used to receive a year-end profit sharing for my over-time, and that was even taken away. They would pick out the people who had children in college, or who had some type of illness and tell them that "under penalty of loosing your job," you will come in on Saturday and "stuff envelopes" and do these mailings as they were Not hiring anyone. As I worked on budgets, the thing I hate most about these times is that people are often being paid "1975 wages" when the prices are not in line with their pay. And, I feel for those who have no medical coverage at all. I have no perscription coverage, and my last two were $397.20 and $447.00 for one script. I almost passed out at the counter. So, we do need some type of medical coverage for the working poor. It just makes me ill to see these greedy top officials living in luxury while the rest of the people suffer, because it is the people who enable them to get those bonus amounts, and they should be shared. Our President wants to tax these bonus figures and the earnings they receive to pay for the healthcare plan, and I feel it is only right to force them to "share" at least something. But, I truly do not feel it will be passed because the Senators are elected by the rich, and the rich will stay rich. I had a very foresighted teacher back in the late 1950's who told us that someday, in the early next century, the U.S. will be a "third world" country. And, with all I have seen over the years, that lady was truly a "George Orville" as this is where I see we are going. I can't stand the suffering and the hunger, especially of the children. But, I do not concern my self with anything in this world except what I need. I give to charity, often, I do my best when I work, and am looking toward the next life where these people cannot hurt us. Thanks for venting, and letting me vent!

Lady

I appreciate your enthusiasm, and your perspective!

My husband said he saw a report on TV today that Japan also did a cash for clunkers program--- and in their criteria, you could not buy an American car, it had to be Japanese made. I think maybe they got that right to keep their dollars at home.