Well congress approved the cash for clunkers program yesterday. It's meant to reduce dependency on oil by rewarding people who get new vehicles that improve their gas mileage. It was also very much hoped for in these parts by GM and Chrysler, to get more people in showrooms.

From the AP: "Under the proposal, car owners could get a voucher worth $3,500 if they traded in a vehicle getting 18 miles per gallon or less for one getting at least 22 mpg. The value of the voucher would grow to $4,500 if the mileage of the new car was 10 mpg higher than the old vehicle. The miles per gallon figures are listed on the car window's sticker. Owners of sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks or minivans that get 18 mpg or less could receive a voucher for $3,500 if their new truck or SUV got at least 2 mpg higher than their old vehicle. The voucher would increase to $4,500 if the mileage of the new truck or SUV was at least 5 mpg higher than the older vehicle."

I can see the benefits of this, and while I'm sure it will help GM and Chrysler, I don't see it helping a lot. It seems to me that if people want 30 mpg cars they will end up at Honda or Toyota who have the perception of having such great MPG. Just wondering how everyone feels about this, not so much politically but how it may affect Detroit...