Regular readers will already know of my less than salubrious 'career' - who sniggered? - in the second-hand car business, so they will understand my delight in a story from Eric Peters in The American Spectator which details one of the greatest cons in the (mottled) history of the car trade. Of course, all the really big scams come from big government and they don't come much bigger than Uncle Sam - but don't laugh too quickly, it could be coming to a government near you!
It involves the luxoury Tesla electric car - and a proposed new GM electric car. According to the cheer-leaders in the American media, the Tesla is a terrific hit in, er, well, California - where else? It's supposed to be the third largest selling luxoury car in the 'Fruit 'n' Nut' State which sounds rather good but when, as Mr. Peters did, you actually count the number of cars 'sold' it comes to a measely 4,700 out of a total of 1.6 million sold annually in the State.
Also, given that governments (State as well as Federal) are involved, then the term 'sold' becomes rather ambiguous. The cars 'sell' for around $70k to a $100k to the mega-rich people who can afford them but even they, poor things, are feeling the pinch and so the Democrats, who run both the Federal government and the Californian State government, and who can never resist the chance to back-hand their rich, potential 'friends', give each buyer a kick-back of $7,500 from Uncle and another $5,000 from California. If you live in 'La-La-Land' you will also receive from your state government a credit of $2,000 towards fitting a new high-voltage charging station which is needed if you haven't got several hours to spare waiting for the bloody thing, which only motors for about two hours anyway, to recharge its battery.
I truly do not wish to incite my excellent and law-abiding e-pals (well, JK's a bit borderline but you know what I mean!) to take violent action when I remind them, gently, that all those kick-backs to the already rich come from your taxes!
Y'all have a nice day, now, y'hear!
