Cash For Clunkers Passes Senate

Congress approved a "cash for clunkers" program today that will provide government incentives of $3,500 to $4,500 to motorists if they trade in their clunkers, which are defined as gas guzzling vehicles. The money is to be used to pay for a more fuel efficient car. Republicans strongly opposed the measure except for RINOs like Susan Collins. Who exactly is paying for these clunkers - the taxpayers.

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden pushed the measure hard by making calls to Democrats who were considering voting against the measure like Senator Maria Cantwell. Senator Debbie Stabenow said, "This is an emergency for families and small businesses -- for an industry that has been the backbone of our economy for a generation."

Let's keep in mind that a newer fuel efficient car costs more than $4500 and so people will be saddled with more debt and these types of cars cost more as well. Not to mention the increase in insurance costs and upkeep. And all of this increases the national debt even more. This measure was hidden in the $106 billion war supplemental bill.

The House passed the bill on a vote of 298-119. Next stop is the White House for Obama's signature which is sure to come since he was pressuring Senators to pass the bill. Four Republicans -- Kit Bond of Missouri, Thad Cochran of Mississippi, Susan Collins of Maine and George Voinovich of Ohio -- voted with two independents and 54 Democrats in favor of the clunker measure, while Democrat Ben Nelson of Nebraska was opposed along with 35 Republicans.