Bush might bring out the veto pen to strike 35 mpg dead
If you think the fight for 35 mpg CAFE standards has been won, think again. For one thing, the House of Representatives has pushed discussion back, possibly until the fall, and that body's support for the higher mileage law is not certain. Now, Automotive News is reporting that Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman said today "that President Bush likely would veto an energy bill like the one passed by the Senate last week," in part because of the mpg requirement.
Oh, and you know how I asked the other day who could be in favor of gouging customers at the gas pump? Bodman comes close. Stoffer writes that "Bodman also criticized the Senate-passed bill for:
- Taking too long to reach a goal of producing 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel each year.
- Allowing for antitrust litigation against the international oil cartel.
- Providing penalties for oil companies that commit 'price gouging.'"
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Peter 9:49PM (6/26/2007)
Just one more year...
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JP 6:13AM (6/27/2007)
... until all of our rights are stripped away as the bushies wipe their backsides with the Constitution.
Why wait around as the country falls apart? If we the people do not act, our democracy will disappear forever.
Get involved, write your senators/reps, work for a campaign, etc.
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Nils 6:17AM (6/27/2007)
...or let it happen again like 3 years ago...
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BC 9:10AM (6/27/2007)
I'm not a Bush supporter, but part of me hopes he does veto it, because CAFE is so flawed.
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brian 9:06AM (6/27/2007)
Best bumper sticker I've seen lately:
W - empty Warhead.
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frank78 9:31AM (6/27/2007)
CAFE standards will be met by the market anyways. With oil hovering around $70/barrel and the likelihood of gas and diesel of ever getting below $2/gallon being equal to my chances of growing wings and flying, consumers are already demanding smaller and more efficient cars.
It takes quite a while for people to replace their cars with something more efficient since cars last so long. With the oncoming of diesels to the US again starting next year, we'll have lots of efficient options. The regulations passed by the feds will be below what the market is demanding by 15 years from now. Though the politicians and the left will claim it was all due to government interference in the free market. They'll dance a victory for govt controls in the markets when in fact it was the price of petroleum that changed what consumers wanted.
The commercials on TV by auto manufacturers keep pushing their good mileage right now. Gasoline and diesel will be closer to $4/gallon by 2010. State and federal govts will be pushing up gas taxes as people start driving more efficient vehicles (and thus paying less tax per mile), increasing the prices further. This will bring higher demand for efficient vehicles. It's a positive feedback cycle.
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Tim 10:04AM (6/27/2007)
Anyone who believes that their vote counts and that these aristocrats and/or attorneys who can afford to run for public office work for the voters and not themselves and the corporations who support their campaigns is simply naive.
We need (1) real campaign finance reform, (2) term limits to replace "career politicians" with "citizen legislators", and (3) FULL disclosure of ALL activities in government from campaign finance to “earmark” pork spending. Gov’t exists to protect our privacy and freedoms, not the other way around and (4) Eliminate “Signing Statements” and “Executive Orders” which circumvent constitutional checks and balances. How can the President even do these without a congressional declaration of WAR?
For God’s sake, NEVER vote for someone just because you like their family member. That's just ignorant.
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gsolman6 12:34PM (6/27/2007)
At 65-27 the senate has enough votes to override a Bush veto. What we don't know is how the House will vote on this.
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greatslack 12:45PM (6/27/2007)
How has Bush been in office for over 6 years without one assassination attempt?
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BMZ 5:41PM (6/27/2007)
Greatslack: Have you ever heard of a rational fairminded assassin?
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Tim 9:22AM (6/28/2007)
I'm not a Bush supporter but I hope he does. CAFE is flawed. Increase fuel taxes by ramping them up for a few years and the market demand will take care of the MPG levels.
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Mack 1:55AM (7/09/2007)
"Gasoline and diesel will be closer to $4/gallon by 2010."
I would think, "Plan on" more like $6 to $8.
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