Great news: Cash for Clunkers might be out of money again already
posted at 8:59 pm on August 19, 2009 by Allahpundit
Not necessarily a bad thing — assuming that all of the dealers’ claims are being processed in a timely, efficient manner.
Which, of course, they’re not.
Late Tuesday, the National Automobile Dealers Association in Washington, D.C., released a survey of its members that estimated they have submitted claims for nearly $3.3 billion. The Cash for Clunkers program is only authorized to spend $3 billion…
Congress is in recess until Sept. 7, and even if members were inclined to add more money, nothing would be decided until they return to Capitol Hill in three weeks…
More than 70 percent, or nearly $2.2 billion, in reimbursement claims have been submitted but not processed…
Dealers are supposed to be reimbursed within 10 days of the application being accepted, but that hasn’t happened because of high demand. The NHTSA is trying to triple the number of workers handling the claims.
What to do if you’re a dealer stuck in this boondoggle horror show? Why, opt out, naturally.
The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, which represents dealerships in the New York metro area, said about half its 425 members have left the program because they cannot afford to offer more rebates. They’re also worried about getting repaid…
Schienberg said the group’s dealers have been repaid for only about 2 percent of the clunkers deals they’ve made so far…
“But it’s in the hands of this enormous bureaucracy and regulatory agency,” he added. “If they don’t get out of their own way, this program is going to be a huge failure.”
Exit question: Any predictions on how far total claims will exceed total funds by the time Congress is back in session? Over/under is $2.5 billion.
Blowback
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Wait… wha?!
If nobody’s getting paid, if the paperwork is all messed up, how does the government know how much money has been spent OR left?
Skywise on August 19, 2009 at 9:00 PM
I am certain that some enterprising person out there figured out how to bilk the system and basically steal at least half of it. It wouldn’t surprise me if Hyundai or Honda figured out how to manipulate our system for their benefit.
ThackerAgency on August 19, 2009 at 9:01 PM
Based on how C4C’s working out, if Socialist Health Care passes, I think whomever takes office after 0 will end up “inheriting” a quadrillion dollar deficit.
Tuari on August 19, 2009 at 9:01 PM
Exit question: Any predictions on how far total claims will exceed total funds by the time Congress is back in session? Over/under is $2.5 billion.
I’m going to say… 0.5 Billion.
Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:01 PM
But hey, let’s put these people in charge of our health care.
amerpundit on August 19, 2009 at 9:01 PM
Obama and gentlemen start your printing presses
CWforFreedom on August 19, 2009 at 9:02 PM
We need an audit on this program NOW! There is so much money going to places they shouldn’t it’s shameful. I said about two weeks ago to expect 1.2 billion to go poof. Looks like I was being optimistic. This money is being used to line someone’s pockets.
Weight of Glory on August 19, 2009 at 9:02 PM
Just when I hear GM was gearing up for some
production!
canopfor on August 19, 2009 at 9:02 PM
THE MOST popular cars in this mess have names like Honda and Toyota. Hilarious. Well it would be if my kids and I were not stuck with the bill.
fail
CWforFreedom on August 19, 2009 at 9:03 PM
***facepalm***
They can’t even run this as bad as the post office.
Healthcare? Sure, sign me up.
tru2tx on August 19, 2009 at 9:03 PM
The government does not know, however a privately run organization, such as the National Automobile Dealers Association keeps better records.
F15Mech on August 19, 2009 at 9:03 PM
Why can’t we get a Cash 4 Congressmen program going?
Trade in your old worthless congressman/woman and get a brand new on that’s more efficient and doesn’t wallow in the sewage in DC.
Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:03 PM
Explain to me how the hell are they out of money when only 2% of applications to the autodealers have been successfully filled out and 4 out of 5 papers rejected over small trivia errors? They’re saying that 60 million dollars has been refunded to the dealers for helping participate in the program, so where did the other 2.94 billion dollars go? When you’re actually out of money, make sure you’re really out of money!
Kaitian on August 19, 2009 at 9:03 PM
As badly as I feel for the auto dealers I can’t help but revel in the irony of having this to point to as a current government run failure. And I am sure they dealers will get their money. Someday.
Cindy Munford on August 19, 2009 at 9:03 PM
How about instead of doing a cash for clunkers program to buy more fuel efficient vehicles (even if there is nothing wrong with the current vehicle) we make it a Cash for Congress program to get rid of those fool efficient Congressmen and women?
Beaglemom on August 19, 2009 at 9:03 PM
Could have predicted this.
1 billion originally got them about 5 days. What was another 2 billion suppose to do?
Hey, but don’t complain or you’re a Nazi racist!
JellyToast on August 19, 2009 at 9:04 PM
You know you wouldn’t be first if Liberal343 hadn’t felt the wrath of the ban stick :)
HoustonRight on August 19, 2009 at 9:04 PM
Maybe come next Nov. the gubmint will be just flat out giving away cars.
“Get out
theand vote!”“
RockBuy the Vote!”Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Better get some more money so that we can stimulate Toyota a little more!
Star20 on August 19, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Jinx
Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:06 PM
Yeah I missed that staff meeting. :)
Anyone know what was the final straw?
Skywise on August 19, 2009 at 9:06 PM
I bet for 3 Billion over. Take it from the U.N. budget.
SouthernGent on August 19, 2009 at 9:06 PM
A Volt for your vote.
ICBM on August 19, 2009 at 9:06 PM
QOTD!
Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:07 PM
I owe you a coke.
Beaglemom on August 19, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Obama: “Watch me disappear 3 billion!”
Everyone: “Why is it in your pockets?”
Obama: “You’re racist!”
Kaitian on August 19, 2009 at 9:07 PM
I am going 3 billion. I cannot imagine that this cluster isn’t double the budgeted amount.
TXMomof3 on August 19, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Look in the headlines comment section Swedish Newspaper Israeli Organ blah blah blah…
Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:08 PM
Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Yeah go figure…
You’d think the FIRST thing a government program to dole out money would do is have some guy in CONTROL OF THE SPIGOT!!!
These guys just turned on the faucet and went home to insult their constituency so they can come back and force their socialist utopia down our throats.
But don’t worry… Socialist Utopia is proven to cost less than whatever you’re talking about.
Skywise on August 19, 2009 at 9:09 PM
Me thinks this thread needs a theme!
KraftWerks,Autobahn.
——————————–
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gChOifUJZMc
canopfor on August 19, 2009 at 9:10 PM
I’ve been shouting that, and calling my reps about that, for weeks now. When they first came out and said they ran out of money, the numbers didn’t add up. Neither June nor July total U.S. auto sales indicated the money being spent. It was impossible. Just yesterday, they were writing stories that the C4C program was losing steam, and now they say they’re out of money, yet no one has been paid! Crazy fraud going on here.
Weight of Glory on August 19, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Am I wrong in assuming that a national health care system would be slightly more complex to run than Cash for Clunkers?
Jim Treacher on August 19, 2009 at 9:10 PM
Great news: Cash for Clunkers might be out of
moneycheese again alreadyted c on August 19, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Click here for the thread in which Liberal343 got the ban hammer. Scroll down to August 19, 2009 at 3:17 PM.
Mary in LA on August 19, 2009 at 9:11 PM
Antisemitic remark on the Swedish Headline
chemman on August 19, 2009 at 9:11 PM
*spitting at the mouth*
But the government can run the Post Office! And yes, I do send my grandmother poems via UPS!!!
Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:11 PM
I knew a conservative who has bought two cars with this program. What happened to right wing nuts hating gov handouts?
liberal4eva on August 19, 2009 at 9:12 PM
None of this makes any sense whatsoever. So of course Obambi and Pelousy and Nevada’s favorite senator (sorry I can’t think up a silly name for Reid atm) want more of it!
Give me Obamacare or give me…..(wait, isn’t that what they want anyway?)……uhhhhhhhhh….NEVERMIND!
Vntnrse on August 19, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Obama down to Scotty at the printing presses.
“Mr. Scott, full warp speed on those engines.”
“Captain, I’m giving them all that i can!!”
ted c on August 19, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Naaahhh. It’d be just like the post office…simple.
Weight of Glory on August 19, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Thanks!
Skywise on August 19, 2009 at 9:12 PM
If we follow that same logic, I know some liberal women who have children. What happened to left wing nuts hating children and aborting them all?
ted c on August 19, 2009 at 9:13 PM
You need to factor in the thousands of cars with Mexican license plates that now litter the lots of the dealerships here in San Diego………..
Seven Percent Solution on August 19, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Vntnrse on August 19, 2009 at 9:12 PM
Senator Red?
Kaitian on August 19, 2009 at 9:13 PM
Obama is a partner with Gaia but NOT HIS BROTHER’S KEEPER
See, I can spout random strings of thought, but mine are based in reality.
Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:14 PM
…or Ford or GM or Chrysler.
Well, I wonder what country we’ll borrow more money from to make up yeat another shortfall in C4C? Think Paraguay would float us a couple of bills if we promise really hard we’re good for it…..?
JoeinTX on August 19, 2009 at 9:14 PM
Let me see,, they pass a bill spending a billion on C4C,, the program kicks off and goes belly up in 5 days,,,, then they pass another 2 billion dollars more to bail out their own spending program and it goes belly up in about 2 weeks. Car dealers all over the country have put millions of dollars out on the highway but few if any have actually been paid,,,,
yet the program has spent all it’s money,,,
but few if any car dealers have been paid,,
yet all the money has been spent,,,
but few if any of the car dealers have been paid.
3 billion disappears in 3 weeks virtually without a trace and the Democrat controlled congress will consider this a success.
Only in America.
JellyToast on August 19, 2009 at 9:15 PM
We are the East Germany of the world…
Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:15 PM
C4C must have been a great success in my area. Every other car on the road is now a Honda FIT.
dmarie on August 19, 2009 at 9:16 PM
I think a better exit question is “How will C4C affect annual sales of automobiles?”
My guess: It will have zero effect. We sell more cars in July and August and fewer cars for the rest of the year.
By the way, where is the C4C czar???
DrStock on August 19, 2009 at 9:16 PM
“Opting OUT” !
How come they get to and we can’t (Obamacare) from a Goverment program.
mechkiller_k on August 19, 2009 at 9:16 PM
ted c on August 19, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Have you told your imaginary girlfriend that page-turning story?
Chuck Schick on August 19, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Can we call this the Public Option for Automobile Ownership?
Weight of Glory on August 19, 2009 at 9:18 PM
Welcome to ObamaCare.
BPD on August 19, 2009 at 9:19 PM
I’ll take the over.
Patriot Vet on August 19, 2009 at 9:19 PM
You KNOW where it went…
health
careinsurance reform advertising.Skywise on August 19, 2009 at 9:19 PM
It’s called high-speed rail…
Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:19 PM
And just think, “They want to run Health Care”
LMAO
BigMike252 on August 19, 2009 at 9:20 PM
FIFY
Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:20 PM
HEALTH CARE, HERE WE COME!!!
Keef Overbite on August 19, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Interesting me thinks,about the cash for clunkers
grand Liberal screw-up!
But have the utmost confidence in Team Obama,
because now they get to jack up HealthCare on
to the hoist,and a two years Senator will be
busy wrenching away with no clue!
Have ye HOPE!!!
canopfor on August 19, 2009 at 9:21 PM
Technically, they aren’t really sold cars until the dealers receive all of their money. So,, consider these sort of like transitional sales.
JellyToast on August 19, 2009 at 9:21 PM
…or lack thereof.
Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:21 PM
I know a couple who purchased a new car and turned in an old truck in the c4c program. The dealer told them that if the dealer did not get the 4500 from the government for whatever reason, they would have to pay that 4500. Has anyone else heard about that and does that conform with the program? Looking for dealer info from anyone posting here.
Willie on August 19, 2009 at 9:22 PM
Hey thanks Tuari, I have actually been wondering what comes after a trillion… I guess is is quadrillion!
Babs on August 19, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Update on Drudge -
Bloomberg
Skip 4 paragraphs of fluff… wait for it…
Skywise on August 19, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Ya know,this really must be a sad time for sooooo many
Leftys,for again they have waited for another Liberal
President to show them the way,and like every previous
Lefty president,their HOPES become dashed!!
The Left gets suckered in every time,its amazing!!haha.
But on a sad note,not for America!
canopfor on August 19, 2009 at 9:26 PM
So now we know how Obamacare will reduce “costs”.
Refuse to pay the doctors and hospitals.
malclave on August 19, 2009 at 9:26 PM
You know what’s really bugging me about C4C? I heard that the dealers have to render the cars inoperable. I’m think sugar in the gas tank, crushed by a tank, or some such. There are some of these clunkers that I would love to have. Namely a gas guzzling “shamu” sized GM station wagon, e.g., Buick Roadmaster woody. Breaks my heart!
DrStock on August 19, 2009 at 9:26 PM
knew a conservative who has bought two cars with this program. What happened to right wing nuts hating gov handouts?
liberal4eva on August 19, 2009 at 9:12 PM
and those conservatives likely work and pay the taxes that are being sucked out of their pockets to subsidize other people’s cars, unlike you.
Liberal343 alert!
Willie on August 19, 2009 at 9:27 PM
There was a car dealer on Rush a few weeks back who said that the dealers will be responsible if any of the buyers owe back taxes. Anyone know this is true?
JellyToast on August 19, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Oh, really?
IrishEi on August 19, 2009 at 9:29 PM
“
They’reThe Doctors are going to get their money,”LaHoodSebelious said at a press conference today in Washington. “We have the money to provide to them.”tatersalad on August 19, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Even suggesting that is ludicrous and nothing more that fear mongering! Now, if we don’t start giving away cars, I might not win the election next time!
Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:30 PM
IrishEi on August 19, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Don’t you know the rule? Never confuse a liberal with facts.
txag92 on August 19, 2009 at 9:30 PM
How about a nice Volvo S60 I think?
F15Mech on August 19, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Here’s another way to look at it. Every report about the program claimed that the first billion was to cover 250,000 car trades. That number did include an administrative cost of 50 million. Assuming the additional 2 billion was pegged to cover the same amount of trades (250,000 X 2 = 500,000), that means that since the C4C program was enacted over 750,000 cars were traded and bought under the program, and then some. Yet according to the info in this chart from the WSJ, roughly 997,000 light vehicles (trucks and cars import and domestic) were sold in the entire month of July! That’s almost 75% of all auto sales in the U.S.! Fraud fraud frickity fraud!
Weight of Glory on August 19, 2009 at 9:30 PM
If he’s a conservative, he probably pays taxes… it’s the liberals who are presumptive tax cheats (see Geithner, Daschle, etc.).
Since it’s his money to begin with, it’s not a handout.
malclave on August 19, 2009 at 9:30 PM
FIFY
Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:31 PM
WTF! I mean WTF’NF!
katy the mean old lady on August 19, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Heh. so true
Weight of Glory on August 19, 2009 at 9:31 PM
So does this mean Nancy Pelosi will summon up more b#lls
and take another strutt to the well,and demand more money,
to try and buy more votes,crap,I mean get more clunker cash
bailout monies,for the third time,jus sayin!!
canopfor on August 19, 2009 at 9:31 PM
How much are WE paying these people who will never ever be fired?
ouldbollix on August 19, 2009 at 9:32 PM
I find it funny that the same people who blame the financial crisis on non-existent de-regulation are doing the same thing that caused this mess in the first place: allowing ineligible people to purchase products that are way out of their price range via government mandates. Have we learned nothing from the housing debacle?
Sleeper on August 19, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Bawney Fwank will dress up as a leprechaun and his magical pot of gold will *boom* appear.
*Sorry to the Irish and Jews in advance…
Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:33 PM
What ? You blew it up before we paid you ? (hysterical laughter)…sucker.
Jeff2161 on August 19, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Peter Schiff’s platform is looking better by the day – can he run for multiple Senate seats?
Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:34 PM
They have only paid out 2% of the money and 80% of the applications have been returned. How do we even know there are honest to God deals going on here?
I smell a scam.
I bet it peters out in the not too distant future. People will not continue to buy.
Terrye on August 19, 2009 at 9:35 PM
Sleeper:
I bet there will be a lot of repos in the year to come.
Terrye on August 19, 2009 at 9:36 PM
I confess I am an unbeliever. Please forgive me. I have sinned.
JellyToast on August 19, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Disabling these cars is just immoral and wasteful. This is progress?? I can think of five families I met up in Michigan this summer who would be delighted to have ANY car right now.
DrStock on August 19, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Wait a minute here!
I just figured out the problem. They needed more money! This is a great program,, they just didn’t spend enough!
JellyToast on August 19, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Hell No they haven’t learned.
I’m buying a couple of tow trucks and going into the repo business. Never let a good crisis go to waste.
Knucklehead on August 19, 2009 at 9:39 PM
No
SoupHealthcare for you!Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Stumblin,bumblin idiots. Six months and the auto industry will be in the tank lookin’ for another government bailout. What’s next? Trade that wagon or baby carriage in for some more fresh printed taxpayer money.
Rovin on August 19, 2009 at 9:39 PM
And once they got a free car (which they won’t because we’re just crushing them), Obama could have given them free gas… Oh, wait…
Upstater85 on August 19, 2009 at 9:40 PM
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