1. The Government has paid $3500-$4500 per vehicle which obviously is greater than the value of the clunkers exchanged or else the consumers would have previously traded in their cars for a new one if desired.

2. Consumers have been subsidized to take on more debt for a new car during tumultuous economic times that was caused by too much debt in the first place.

3. About 250,000 older cars have been removed and destroyed from our nation’s supply that will not be accessible now to lower-income consumers and teenagers that want their first car.

4. Taxpayer money was wasted to pull forward potential future demand for new automobiles which will only create lagging sales in later periods.

5. The production numbers for the automakers have been temporarily exaggerated, but I guess that works for a Government that now controls two domestic manufacturers. Now they can trumpet how successfully the turnaround is progressing for the automakers under their stewardship.

When you think about these points it becomes really hard to view this program as a success. Only our Government would be able to spin a story that giving money away is a success. Hmm! I wonder if I could put together a business plan that pays people $20 for every $10 they give me, and if the program is successful, and only if successful, will I consider committing even more capital to it. Do you think that proposal would gain rapid acceptance so I could pat myself on the back and tell everyone how successful my enterprise has become? Somebody help us, we are living in a cartoon.