Cash For Clunkers Passes In The Senate

She voted no... again

Probably one of the most successful and popular parts of the stimulus spending, Cash For Clunkers, did so well that the House extended it last week. Although several of the more reactionary Democrats in the Senate crossed the aisle and voted with the GOP against it-- especially twittering idiot Claire McCaskill (MO) and Ben Nelson (NE) who has voted significantly more with the Republicans on substantive issues than with the Democrats since Obama has become president-- the Democrats picked up half a dozen Republicans-- Collins (ME), Snowe (ME), Corker (TN), Alexander (TN), Voinovich (OH) and Bond (MO)-- so they didn't need the right-wing Democrats. It passed 60-37 after Democrats beat back 5 obstructionist, time-wasting amendments by Kyl, Gregg, Coburn, Isakson and Vitter.

Obama thanked the Senate for their fast and positive action on the bill:

“I want to thank the United States Senate for acting in a bipartisan way to use Recovery Act funds to extend the ‘Cash for Clunkers’ program. Now, more American consumers will have the chance to purchase newer, more fuel efficient cars and the American economy will continue to get a much-needed boost. ‘Cash for Clunkers’ has been a proven success: the initial transactions are generating a more than 50% increase in fuel economy; they are generating $700 to $1000 in annual savings for consumers in reduced gas costs alone; and they are getting the oldest, dirtiest and most air polluting trucks and SUVs off the road for good. Businesses across the country – from small auto dealerships and suppliers to large auto manufacturers – are putting people back to work as a result of this program. I want to thank Leader Reid and the members of the Senate who moved quickly to extend a program that benefits our recovery and our auto industry while reducing our economy’s dependence on oil.”

This is one the Republicans dared not stop. And while Miss McConnell voted no, he first guaranteed Harry Reid that he'd let enough Republicans vote for it to more than make up for a handful of Democratic defections. This one was too popular with car dealers-- Republican car dealers-- and with the car buying public and with Republican legislators in car building districts, to obstruct with too much effect. Instead they have their minds set on a much grander goal: wrecking Obama's health care initiative, no matter what the cost. David Sirota summed up their appeal beautifully:

I know I should be mortified by the lobbyist-organized mobs of angry Brooks Brothers mannequins who are now making headlines by shutting down congressional town hall meetings. I know I should be despondent during this, the Khaki Pants Offensive in the Great American Health Care and Tax War. And yet, I'm euphorically repeating one word over and over again with a big grin on my face.

Finally.

Finally, there's no pretense. Finally, the Me-First, Screw-Everyone-Else Crowd's ugliest traits are there for all to behold.

The group's core gripe is summarized in a letter I received that denounces a proposed surtax on the wealthy and corporations to pay for universal health care.

...What They Will Scream: We can't raise business taxes, because American businesses already pay excessively high taxes!

What You Should Say: Here's the smallest violin in the world playing for the businesses. The Government Accountability Office reports that most U.S. corporations pay zero federal income tax. Additionally, as even the Bush Treasury Department admitted, America's effective corporate tax rate is the third lowest in the industrialized world.

What They Will Scream: But the rich still "pay close to 60 percent of this nation's taxes!"

What You Should Say: Such statistics refer only to the federal income tax. When considering all of "this nation's taxes" including payroll, state and local levies, the top 5 percent pay just 38.5 percent of the taxes.

What They Will Scream: But 38.5 percent is disproportionately high! See? You've proved that the rich "contribute more than their share" of taxes!

What You Should Say: Actually, they are paying almost exactly "their share." According to the data, the wealthiest 5 percent of America pays 38.5 percent of the total taxes precisely because they make just about that share-- a whopping 36.5 percent!-- of total national income. Asking these folks to pay slightly more in taxes-- and still less than they did during the go-go 1990s-- is hardly extreme.