So how do you think Obama is doing so far?

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

02/04/2009 07:12:41 AM · #126

Some good news
In a victory for auto manufacturers and dealers, Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., won a 71-26 vote to allow most car buyers to claim an income tax deduction for sales taxes paid on new autos and interest payments on car loans. The break would cost $11 billion over the coming decade but could mean savings of $1,500 on a $25,000 car.

"Just as we need to get the housing market going, we need to get auto sales going," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.

Mikulski's office put the cost of the automobile tax break she sponsored at $11 billion over 10 years. It would apply to the first $49,500 in the price of a new car purchased between last Nov. 12 and Dec. 31, 2009. Individuals with incomes of up to $125,000 and couples earnings as much as $250,000 could qualify, including those who do not itemize their deductions.

Message edited by author 2009-02-04 07:13:19.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

02/04/2009 08:14:32 AM · #127

Originally posted by Flash:

I can't believe you're quoting Stabenow...

What is the world coming to?

srdanz

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

02/04/2009 09:09:27 AM · #128

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by Flash:
...

I can't believe you're quoting Stabenow...

What is the world coming to?

Change....

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

02/04/2009 10:09:11 AM · #129

Originally posted by srdanz:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by Flash:
...

I can't believe you're quoting Stabenow...

What is the world coming to?

Change....

I have change in a jar on my dresser.

02/04/2009 10:10:05 AM · #130

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by Flash:
Some good news
In a victory for auto manufacturers and dealers, Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., won a 71-26 vote to allow most car buyers to claim an income tax deduction for sales taxes paid on new autos and interest payments on car loans. The break would cost $11 billion over the coming decade but could mean savings of $1,500 on a $25,000 car.

"Just as we need to get the housing market going, we need to get auto sales going," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.

Mikulski's office put the cost of the automobile tax break she sponsored at $11 billion over 10 years. It would apply to the first $49,500 in the price of a new car purchased between last Nov. 12 and Dec. 31, 2009. Individuals with incomes of up to $125,000 and couples earnings as much as $250,000 could qualify, including those who do not itemize their deductions.

I can't believe you're quoting Stabenow...

What is the world coming to?

:-) :-) :-) is kind of hard to believe - isn't it.

02/04/2009 10:42:53 AM · #131

Obama admits mistake on Dashel

If he keeps this up AND stays away from the 2nd amendment - I might actually give him a passing grade when its all over. But we'll see. Lots of proving yet to be done.

ETR ETA...

Message edited by author 2009-02-04 10:46:47.

Here's a Democrat I Like - candid and forthwright - even pops the repubs a bit too

02/04/2009 11:37:09 AM · #132

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

02/04/2009 01:56:07 PM · #133

Yah, gotta appreciate a voluntary "I screwed up!" position...

R.

citymars

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/04/2009 02:20:45 PM · #134

Highlights of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:

**$142 billion for a middle-class tax cut
**$87 billion to help states pay for Medicaid
**$80 billion to improve public education
**$47 billion to extend unemployment benefits
**$46 billion to fix bridges and roads
**$32 billion for clean energy
**$26 billion to expand access to health care
**$24 billion to modernized health information technology
**$19 billion for school construction
**$17 billion in one-time payments to low-income Americans
**$16 billion to expand food stamps
**$14 billion to make college more affordable

There's lots of misinformation around. Stuff being singled out for criticism amounts to a tiny fraction of the bill â�� like anti-smoking programs that make up less than one-ten-thousandth of the spending.

The legislation is now on the Senate floor. Reports say it is being killed by conservative callers outnumbering progressives 10-1.* Call your Senators today to support immediate passage of the plan.

* I read elsewhere it is more like a 50-50 split.

Message edited by author 2009-02-04 15:05:24.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

02/04/2009 03:03:49 PM · #135

Originally posted by citymars:

Highlights of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:

They should have called it Economic Recovery and Reinvestment in America, so they could truthfully say they were ushering in a new ERRA ... ;-)

Message edited by author 2009-02-04 15:08:35.

citymars

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/04/2009 03:06:01 PM · #136

Originally posted by GeneralE:

They should have called it Economic Recovery and Reinvestment in America, so they could truthfully say the were ushering in a new ERRA ... ;-)

Good one!

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

02/04/2009 03:32:49 PM · #137

Volt wins coveted Green Car Award

Message edited by author 2009-02-04 15:33:41.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

02/04/2009 03:39:53 PM · #138

I've long thought the concept behind the Volt hybrid drive (the same principle as diesel-electric locomotives) was great -- but I was less impressed when I heard a long interview with someone from the GM/Volt team talking about how much trouble they were having keeping the price affordable while making it big enough and cushy enough and with the level of interior appointments they had in mind ... sorry, but I can get by with four cup holders and no DVD player ... mostly though, I just wish they'd get the thing out the door -- unless it's a complete design disaster, I bet they'll have a waiting list like there used to be for the Prius.

02/04/2009 05:30:47 PM · #139

The same engine is scheduled for the Cruze.

What they must do is get it absolutely right, as there will be no mercy if it has trouble when it's launched.

Message edited by author 2009-02-04 17:37:56.

02/05/2009 07:20:44 AM · #140

Toyota shuts down

Some posters in this thread have very positive feeling towards transplants and negative feelings towards domestics - even claiming that the managerial policies of the transplants and their products are substantially superior - over the domestics. The above article seems to suggest to me at least, that the current economic woes are impacting everyone. Thus the "blame" placed on the domestics for their business conditions - seem misguided. If the domestics product portfolio and management was the root cause of their decline, then companies without those shortcomings should not be affected. Since they are affected also, then the claimed reason (management/product) for the domestics troubles, is in error. The real reason is as the CEO's claimed - unprecedented economic downturn - worldwide. Pretty dire indeed.

Hope Obama and Congress is paying attention

02/05/2009 07:25:59 AM · #141

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

02/05/2009 12:31:30 PM · #142

Originally posted by Flash:

Hope Obama and Congress is paying attention

Considering that they are no longer on the ticket it would seem they did.

Ray

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

02/05/2009 12:34:49 PM · #143

Originally posted by Flash:

Not necessarily so.

If I don't have sufficient funds to purchase a new car, then the quality and design of the vehicle matters not. Only once I have the financial stability to make that purchase will the market know what my preferences are.

Ray

02/06/2009 07:09:58 AM · #144

Originally posted by RayEthier:

Originally posted by Flash:
Toyota shuts down

Some posters in this thread have very positive feeling towards transplants and negative feelings towards domestics - even claiming that the managerial policies of the transplants and their products are substantially superior - over the domestics. The above article seems to suggest to me at least, that the current economic woes are impacting everyone. Thus the "blame" placed on the domestics for their business conditions - seem misguided. If the domestics product portfolio and management was the root cause of their decline, then companies without those shortcomings should not be affected. Since they are affected also, then the claimed reason (management/product) for the domestics troubles, is in error. The real reason is as the CEO's claimed - unprecedented economic downturn - worldwide. Pretty dire indeed.

Not necessarily so.

If I don't have sufficient funds to purchase a new car, then the quality and design of the vehicle matters not. Only once I have the financial stability to make that purchase will the market know what my preferences are.

Ray

Have always appreciated your thoughtful commentary. Fair point. The operating words being "Not necessarily so" but possibly so - just not necessarily. I agree.