evrae
Cullman, AL
36, joined Apr. 2008
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This issue mostly affects the automotive enthusiast community but also has a broader application and is wasteful spending by homeland security
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/!/petition/stop-using-homeland-security-funds-seize-imported-vehicles-and-change-dotepa-exemption-15-years/L50BZzwj
If you have the time please register for free and sign the petition.
"The Department of Homeland Security spends a shockingly disproportionate amount of its budget not on security initiatives, but on customs seizures. In particular, importers of grey-market vehicles have been targeted by monies taxpayers have intended to be used to secure our country against terrorism and terrorist activity. We call upon the Executive Branch to immediately cease this wasteful activity, and furthermore to change the DOT/EPA exemption time on grey-market vehicles from 25 years to 15 years (to match the vehicle regulations of Canada), recognizing that the 25-year rule was enacted due to support from special interests such as Mercedes Benz North America."
I'm a regular in the automotive forum but felt this had a small place in the political section as well since it addresses wasteful spending.
the EPA law also affects low income consumers in states where pollution testing is very strict.
People often simply cannot afford to replace a $500-1000 catalytic convertor or a couple hundred bucks for an EGR valve etc just to pass smog on the much older vehicles they own.
If you agree with any parts of the petition please take the time to sign it.
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mischiefmanaged
Bellevue, WA
47, joined Jul. 2010
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Thanks! interesting issues. I also think the billions in tax breaks the oil companies get should be spent in developing non-fossil fuel alternatives.
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evrae
Cullman, AL
36, joined Apr. 2008
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Thanks! interesting issues. I also think the billions in tax breaks the oil companies get should be spent in developing non-fossil fuel alternatives.
Or they shouldn't be getting tax breaks unless they can bring down the cost of petrol based fuels in the US without watering them down as well.
The petition mostly will benefit the auto enthusiast community if the laws are changed but It also has the added ramifications of eliminating some needless spending by homeland security on imported items that are not a threat to national security.
And can help lower income families that have trouble affording the high costs of or pollution control system maintenance on their older cars they can barely afford so they can go to work and provide for themselves or their families. and fines in states that smog test.
A 15 year or older car can get astonishingly expensive to keep the emissions down on for testing.
Punishing lower income families for being poor is not very logical.
I understand the point and fully support lowering up the pollution output of automobiles but beyond about 10-15 years it can get awful expensive to maintain systems on cars that are not necessary for them to operate properly. Nevermind they are already outdated compared to current emissions standards.
From an engineering standpoint alternative fuels and drive systems are quite expensive to the consumer with current technology.
Billions more invested in research and new technology development is needed to produce cost effective alternate energy vehicles.
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mischiefmanaged
Bellevue, WA
47, joined Jul. 2010
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societies toxic memes. the idea of a car as a viable transportation solution for humanity is stupid. for an individual, it makes sense. The problem is we value independence and competition. This is what's destroying us and the world. Unfortunately we may have already hit the point of no return. If we do get on board with the top leading scientists of the world and work towards reducing and reversing the damage, pretty sure cars will not fair well. If we do hit the numbers they say we will, since nothing is changing, the very last days will likely be global warfare for food. Since we are the most resilient, besides c*ckroaches, that would probably mean us- as everything else will be dying/dead. chances are we would commit global suicide by nuclear war. cheery aren't i?
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evrae
Cullman, AL
36, joined Apr. 2008
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societies toxic memes. the idea of a car as a viable transportation solution for humanity is stupid. for an individual, it makes sense. The problem is we value independence and competition. This is what's destroying us and the world. Unfortunately we may have already hit the point of no return. If we do get on board with the top leading scientists of the world and work towards reducing and reversing the damage, pretty sure cars will not fair well. If we do hit the numbers they say we will, since nothing is changing, the very last days will likely be global warfare for food. Since we are the most resilient, besides c*ckroaches, that would probably mean us- as everything else will be dying/dead. chances are we would commit global suicide by nuclear war. cheery aren't i?
the size and political divisiveness is why large scale mass transit like bullet trains will never happen.
and as long as there are lobbyists in DC pushing big oil, alternative fuels, and transportation systems will never get the funding,research and publicity needed to make the technologies viable and widespread.
forcing us to continue fossil fuel use yet punishing citizens for being unable to financially afford extravagantly expensive emissions system repairs is not going to help the pollution problem as a whole.
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sweetgypsygurl
Wichita, KS
35, joined Apr. 2011
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