http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070507/ap_on_el_pr/obama_autos;_ylt=AneamYFwX7auSEE.MC42LdLMWM0F
Sen. Barack Obama has outlined his plan for encouraging American automakers to manufacure more energy efficient vehicles. Check it out, it sounds like a good plan to me.
"The need to drastically change our energy policy is no longer a debatable proposition. It is not a question of whether, but how; not a question of if, but when. For the sake of our security, our economy, our jobs and our planet, the age of oil must end in our time." - Sen. Obama
Actually, the energy policy is debatable.
We're proving that here.
American car makers aren't producing fuel efficent vehicles, because the buyers don't want them.(maybe with $3+ gas, it might change)
So goverment wants to force car makers to make cars people don't want?
Do people want a mini SUV? A heavy truck with no power?
Obama isn't being realistic. Foriegn car makers that make American type vehicles, aren't much better in fuel economy. A foriegn made SUV gets only a few miles/gallon better then American.
Remember; Democrats like goverment to solve the problems, Conservatives(not neocons) like for the market to fix itself.
Look at American vehicles that have forced emissions controls under the hood. Look at Foriegn cars that work the emssions controls into the vehicle. One is forced by goverment, and the other want to sell to us.
The market will make any adjustments it needs.
By the way, How do you make a 3/4 ton truck more fuel efficient? If it is lighter, it won't be able to handle towing as much(Tacoma=10,000 lb towing)
Will the govement mandate people buy smaller cars? America wants big cars. When they tire of spending so much on gas, they will buy a smaller car.
Sorry, big vehicles can't be fuel efficient.