Congress doesn't want "green" cars....

[Bigmack]

for themselves, anyhow. Note the party affiliation of the ones doing the loudest bitching.

I've got an idea... let the congressperson pay their own gasoline bills.... and while we're at it, pay for their own medical care, too!
- - - -

Lawmakers get red over green-car rule
By Richard Simon Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON — Rep. Elton Gallegly of California likes his taxpayer-funded Ford Expedition. He isn't worried that it's not the most fuel-efficient car. It's reliable, suits his mountainous district and is cheaper to lease than many other vehicles.

"It's not a Cadillac. It's not a Lincoln. It's a Ford," the Republican congressman said with exasperation.

But like it or not, Gallegly and other lawmakers will have to give up gas-hungry SUVs and luxury sedans for leased vehicles that are more eco-correct, such as Toyota's Prius.

Some are in a high-octane fit about it.

"A Prius isn't made in the United States," Gallegly said.

Congress has been bearing down to do more about global warming, and a little-noticed amendment to last year's energy bill has hit especially close to home. It requires House members who lease vehicles through their office budgets to drive cars that emit low levels of greenhouse gases.

Among those affected: Texas Republican Joe Barton, who probably will have to give up his Chevy Tahoe, despite his protests that it is made in his district. "I guarantee you my district is not upset that I'm driving a Chevy Tahoe," he said.

The effort to steer lawmakers into vehicles that get better mileage comes as Congress has mandated more fuel-efficient vehicles for the public and pump prices have surged. The requirement was sought by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., who figured that if his colleagues were serious about reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and U.S. dependence on foreign oil, they ought to do something, too.

snip

The lease requirement passed narrowly in August after a brief debate, with most Democrats supporting it and most Republicans opposing it. Reaction to the requirement has varied.

"I will start driving a green car once Pelosi starts ballooning back and forth from coast to coast to save jet fuel," said Rep. Tom Feeney, R-Fla., referring to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who has made climate change a top priority.

[wtmusic]

1. "A Prius isn't made in the United States."

Obviously. Maybe we should address that first.

[Lorien]

4. My Camry was made in the US, while many Fords are built in Mexico. n/t

[wtmusic]

8. Good point.

Though apparently the Prius is built in Japan, Toyota has seven plants in the US and employs 32,000 American workers. And they make good cars.

[kestrel91316]

10. We could put them all in Toyota Corollas. Last I heard, they were made

in NorCal.

[Marr]

9. Yes, but unfortunately, you can't drive a cheesburger.

And that's about the only thing we're really "manufacturing" around here anymore.

[LSK]

12. where is the Escape Hybrid built?

[ThomWV]

2. Seems simple, people couldn't care less about green, they want cheap, fast, and good looking

Oh, and then they will pay for status.

[NJmaverick]

3. Green isn't my first choice of colors either!

:evilgrin:

[lapfog_1]

5. Someone should point out

that many Toyotas are now made in the US and that many Fords/GMs are made (in large part) elsewhere.

But, if they want a green US brand SUV...

http://www.ford.com/vehicles/vehicle-showroom#/ford/ford-escape-hybrid-2008

34 MPG. not great, but not that bad. Not expensive either.

[defendandprotect]

6. The fossil fuels being burned in jet travel seem to signal that we're going to need rapid change . .

in that area, as well ---

Where are the questions of politicians re nationalizing the oil industry --?

Electric cars?

Getting rid of the gas-guzzlers?

[defendandprotect]

7. Obviously, the market demands --- the price of oil -- signal that GM is playing games . . .

which benefit only the oil industry ---

and they've been doing this for decades ---

They haven't worked to produce a competitive car --- they've worked to protect the

oil industry.

[krispos42]

11. Tom Feeney is an asshole

Pelosi, the second in line of succession to the presidency, now flies commercial back and forth to her district EXPRESSLY because the Republicans hounded her for getting a larger Air Force jet!

You see, in the POST 9/11 WORLD® it was decided that the second in line of the succession to the presidenty, in this case Illinoisian Denny Hastert, Speaker of the House, should not fly commercial due to security concerns terrah! terrah! terrah!

But then, when Denny Hastert got demoted when the Republican lost incredibly badly in 2006, the Speaker of the House became a Democrat from California. Obviously, California is further from DC than Illinois, so the Air Force jet used for Hastert (remember, so he wouldn't have to fly commercial for security reasons) couldn't make the trip without refueling halfway through. So the Air Force upgraded her to a larger, longer-ranged aircraft.

At which point the Republicans began whining about Pelosi's ego, and Pelosi switched to more eco-friendly commercial air travel.

[Clear Blue Sky]

13. Congress is against smoking too,

but will never pay more than lip service to the issue because of the tax revenue they would lose.