Obama orders new fuel standards for future

from JoeUser Forums

This news today from headlines via Yahoo! (originally via Associated Press, apparently).  Headline below is linked.

 Obama orders new fuel standards for future

I'm not quoting any of the article here because I didn't see a bullet item type quote to grab, but regardless, I'm happy to see this news and do encourage readers here at the JoeUser.com community (and sister sites) to check the original article for details.

While I'm not normally on the Obama bandwagon, I do try to give the man the benefit of the doubt and when he does put forth policies that I can get behind, then I don't mind noting that.  This is one of those cases.  I've said for a while, despite my own apparent hypocritcal stance here since I drive a vehicle that is a bit of a gas-guzzler {mini-van}, that we need to be raising our required fuel efficiency standards while also doing everything else we can to reduce our dependence upon foreign oil and other natural resources.  I still stand behind that position, and will be one of the first to say that I'll be glad when vehicles do get upwards of 35 MPG for just about everything on the road.  I'd love to have my mini-van getting 30 - 35 MPG but it won't happen unless the manufacturers are forced to make the vehicles more efficient.  If they aren't forced into it they'll claim it's too expensive to make the vehicles more efficient, or claim that people don't want more fuel efficient vehicles (which, again, I admit to being a bit of a hypocrit in this area because the reason I'm driving a mini-van is all about my own personal comfort and safety.  I'd happily drive something that is more efficient if it was in a similar form factor).

Hopefully these new standards will come to pass and hopefully they will result in a better future for us all.

6,098 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Sounds like a plan. I myself wouldn't mind being able to drive something better and more efficient, but they simply make them more expensive and that is not always appealing to everyone.

Let's hope he doesn't ruin such an interesting idea with some form of tax to help these car companies move forward with this.

Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

I'm not quoting any of the article here because I didn't see a bullet item type quote to grab,
End of quote

I guess you will never be the Mayor of Chicago then. ;)

I'd love to have my mini-van getting 30 - 35 MPG but it won't happen unless the manufacturers are forced to make the vehicles more efficient.
End of quote

That is the fallacy.  Car Companies make what consumers want to buy.  Forcing car companies into an arbitrary standard is not going to do any good.  There is only one thing that is going to change the average fleet mileage, consumers.  And about the only thing that is going to change their buying habits is higher prices at the pumps.

Japan won the compact wars in the 70s.  Why?  Fuel Efficiency.  Jack the price of gas up to $10/gallon, and car companies will fall in line fast.

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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top

What does the government, or Obama for that matter, know about the automotive industry? They throw out an arbitrary number and say meet it. What is the motivation? Obama has stated in the past that he wants higher fuel prices and why wouldn't he. High prices mean higher taxes the "fuel" for his goals. This guy has an agenda, and it does not necessarily involve ones happiness or betterment.

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

Obama has stated in the past that he wants higher fuel prices
End of quote

It is his only honest statement in the last 2.5 years.

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top

It is his only honest statement in the last 2.5 years.
End of quote

I vehemently disagree Doc. He also stated he wants to "redistribute wealth". This guy laid out his whole agenda a long time ago, before the media dressed him up for public consumption. The truth was out there for everyone to see, many just believed the rhetoric and refused to believe their own lying eyes. ;)

Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

I vehemently disagree Doc. He also stated he wants to "redistribute wealth".
End of quote

When did he say that?  I ask as I meant since he was running for president.  I know he has stated that in the past, but did not recall him stating that since running for president.  If so, that is 2.  And he is on a hot streak!

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top

I vehemently disagree Doc. He also stated he wants to "redistribute wealth".

When did he say that? I ask as I meant since he was running for president. I know he has stated that in the past, but did not recall him stating that since running for president. If so, that is 2. And he is on a hot streak!
End of quote

His exact word was "share", but in its context, redistribute is accurate LINK and an older example (from your 2.5 year criteria) here.

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

redistribute is accurate
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Hell, if I cited him for his accuracy, he would get a zero!  I know he is not going to speak plain English for his policies as no American right of Mao would go along with him.

I saw a talking head opining on his early life yesterday.  wondering where he got all that money for Harvard.  And why he never had to work in his life.  Seems like a perfect Manchurian candidate if he was not screwing the Chinese.

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top

I saw a talking head opining on his early life yesterday. wondering where he got all that money for Harvard. And why he never had to work in his life. Seems like a perfect Manchurian candidate if he was not screwing the Chinese.
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Yeah, what does community organizer pay these days? I know he taught for awhile, definitely not enough to quit and live comfortably. Nobody wants to dig to deep into this it seems.

Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top

Nobody wants to dig to deep into this it seems.
End of quote

He is liberal, black and a politician.  Unless you got pictures of him with his hand in the cookie jar, it means he is as innocent as the day he was born to the media.  Sestak anyone?