Why does the Government target the Automakers?

[Muscle Master]

So I'm in school and were taking about cafe regulations, and then it hit me: why is the gov. only cracking down on U.S. automakers, what about the airlines and various types of aircraft thats uses fuel? theres about 400 jet planes over america right now and they each carry thousands of gallons of fuel, and they use every drop of fuel on each trip and they use every drop of it

and dont say theres no diffrences between a piston engine and a jet turnbine, they both use fuel+air=power

Comments:

[The_Stache]

First off its not just us auto makers, its ALL automakers.

2nd off, good question. Who knows. Maybe its becuase the airlines regulate themselves better?(doubtful)

[The_Blur]

Cars are a primary source of pollution, along with factories, airlines, and other forms of production. Factories help US GDP. Airlines are necessary to keep American businesses making money that gets fed into the tax budget. Cars can be significantly more efficient and cost the least to change, especially since car owners buy a new car every few years.

Now, there are 2 ways to regulate automobiles. The first option is to regulate automakers. This means that cars come out of the factory with better fuel efficiency. It puts the responsibility of making high-efficiency cars with the people who make cars. It only makes sense. The second option is to regulate drivers. It is unconstitutional to regulate how people transport themselves because that is a violation of first amendment rights. In effect, if the government wants to live up to its obligation to reduce pollution, one of the best ways to do it is to limit automobile pollution.

I should add that pollution from vehicles is limited in Europe and other developed countries as well. This isn't America bashing cars. The US government loves GM and Ford for their overseas and domestic sales. They bring unfathomable tax money into the federal budget. Everyone should be able to drive powerful, efficient cars. In every other industry in the business world, efficiency is a primary goal. Why shouldn't that be true of the automotive industry?

[Kyle2k]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

Cars are a primary source of pollution, along with factories, airlines, and other forms of production. Factories help US GDP. Airlines are necessary to keep American businesses making money that gets fed into the tax budget. Cars can be significantly more efficient and cost the least to change, especially since car owners buy a new car every few years.

Now, there are 2 ways to regulate automobiles. The first option is to regulate automakers. This means that cars come out of the factory with better fuel efficiency. It puts the responsibility of making high-efficiency cars with the people who make cars. It only makes sense. The second option is to regulate drivers. It is unconstitutional to regulate how people transport themselves because that is a violation of first amendment rights. In effect, if the government wants to live up to its obligation to reduce pollution, one of the best ways to do it is to limit automobile pollution.

I should add that pollution from vehicles is limited in Europe and other developed countries as well. This isn't America bashing cars. The US government loves GM and Ford for their overseas and domestic sales. They bring unfathomable tax money into the federal budget. Everyone should be able to drive powerful, efficient cars. In every other industry in the business world, efficiency is a primary goal. Why shouldn't that be true of the automotive industry?

Holy "breath of fresh air" batman.

+1

[Jak]

Actually, just my opinion here, it is partly US bashing. Why is it when ever the UN, tree huggers, ect talk about stricter clean air standards it's the US that seems to be targeted? Yet when it comes to china, korea, mexico, nobody says anything about the amount of pollution they put out, which is far more then we do. What about the third world nations, they seem exempt from clean air standards.
Now back to china, did anyone see the bit on the news awhile back that they were shutting their factories during the olimpics to keep the air and water clean during the games.

[Kyle2k]

This is just my opinion, since when did we become the world police? We should take care of ourselves first...we are the greatest aren't we? So why all these half ass standards and grumbling about just about everything that is even remotely progressive? Lets start taking some chances and bettering ourselves instead of running off the pride afforded to us by our fore-fathers.

I agree China needs to get its act together, but they are more of a developing nation than we are...and I am sure it will eventually become an issue...as for third world countries...uhm, the thing that makes them third world is that the really dont have much industry lol...sucks for them!

[Bumble Bee '77]

Originally Posted by Kyle2k

This is just my opinion, since when did we become the world police?

Didn't you see the movie??

[Kyle2k]

Originally Posted by Bumble Bee '77

Didn't you see the movie??

GUNS F YEAH, PORN F YEAH, BOOKS.....

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by Jak

Actually, just my opinion here, it is partly US bashing. Why is it when ever the UN, tree huggers, ect talk about stricter clean air standards it's the US that seems to be targeted? Yet when it comes to china, korea, mexico, nobody says anything about the amount of pollution they put out, which is far more then we do. What about the third world nations, they seem exempt from clean air standards.
Now back to china, did anyone see the bit on the news awhile back that they were shutting their factories during the olimpics to keep the air and water clean during the games.

As the world's number one polluter until China surpassed us this year, the US has a responsibility to limit pollution.