posted on May 4, 2004 09:32:16 AM new
On Schwarzenegger’s Watch, Cash-Starved State Is Paying People To Buy Recreational, Highly Polluting Vehicles
by Betsy R. Vasquez
MAY 3, 2004 – Police forces are being cut, community college tuition is being raised 40%, county hospitals are losing funding. All across the state of California, massive, painful cuts are taking place because of the massive state budget deficit’s trickle down effect.
In fact, California voters just had to vote for a $16 billion borrowing measuring just to cover the budget gap from last year – and they have no idea how they are going to cover that $16 billion for this coming year. Painful cuts to even the most vital basic services are occurring, tax hikes are being considered.
And yet in the midst of all this, on Governor Schwarzenegger’s watch, a the state of California is writing checks for thousands of dollars and handing them to anyone who buys – get this – a Hummer. Yes, while police forces are being cut back, hard cash is being handed to anyone who buys vehicles that are recreational toys and which are about the worst polluting vehicles on the planet.
All of this centers around a tax loophole meant to help farmers.
As California tax law currently exists, any vehicle that weighs over 6,000 pounds is fully tax deductible. Even more, the owner can fully depreciate it in the first year, claiming all of the tax benefits right up front.
The law had good intentions – previously, only farm or business equipment weighed over 6,000 pounds. But then along came the Hummer.
As it exists, the law does not specify to what type of vehicles it applies or for what use the vehicle must be purchased, and so across the state Hum V purchasers – the very ones Schwarzenegger helped inspire to buy the vehicles – are deducting the full value of their vehicles and getting big, fat tax refund checks sent to them.
It would figure that with Arnold running the state Hummer owners would be getting a leg up while police, college students, and everyone else in fact is getting the shaft. And yes, this scam is common knowledge among the Schwarzenegger-supporting, Hummer-buying crowd (how do you think we found out about it?) And, disgustingly, they have no qualms exploiting the loophole, taking the cash, and letting the scam continue on.
This is sure to be a bombshell about to explode right in Schwarzenegger’s face as our report gets picked up by the rest of the media and politicians in the state who will froth with fury. If you are living in Cali, you might just want to call your local Congressperson or state representative’s office and share a view or two on the topic.
posted on May 4, 2004 12:03:57 PM new
EAG - A friend of mine has one of the Hummers - it is the most uncomfortable vehicle ever - definately built for function not form. The H2 was developed to combine the look of the Hummer with an interior that people could actually stand to travel in.
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If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on May 4, 2004 12:27:43 PM new
Aren't they just a status symbol though? People that drive them are telling the world they can afford the 8 miles per gallon they get without any consideration to the added pollution. To me, they're like a big flag that says "I'm Stupid".
posted on May 4, 2004 01:30:21 PM new
I have to agree, Skylite. Why bring Schwarzenegger into this?!? He had nothing to do with it.
____________________
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -- John F. Kennedy
posted on May 4, 2004 02:57:39 PM new
I hear there's a "guy" in Frisco that paid Sky $500K for a hummer. It wasn't 4WD & used no fuel products.
"The Secret Service has announced it is doubling its protection for John Kerry. You can understand why — with two positions on every issue, he has twice as many people mad at him." —Jay Leno
posted on May 4, 2004 04:23:43 PM new
The H2 is definite luxury inside, but butt ugly outside
OH! I just saw (well if 'just' is LAST WEEK ) a Yellow Hummer Limo!!!!!! UGH!!!
no I don't want one, I do want another SUV though, we sold the last to buy HIS CAR OF DREAMS!!! I would like just one of those little Foresters, or another Jeep.
__________________________________ In cyberspace, you can't hear a liberal scream.
posted on May 4, 2004 04:27:48 PM new
Oh this is SKYLITES post...... well, darn shame SKYLITE you have to live in Canada, and not California where you could really b i t c h about the FARM DEDUCTION.
__________________________________ In cyberspace, you can't hear a liberal scream.
posted on May 5, 2004 03:41:08 AM new
Bunnicula.......
Why bring Schwarzenegger into this?!? He had nothing to do with it.
Well for those who don't know He is DIRECTLY responsible to the hummer becoming a domestic consumer product. He convinced the THEN AM motors (since bought out by GM) to make it and he is in possesion of the first one off the assembly line.....
posted on May 5, 2004 05:12:12 AM new"I'm Stupid".
I agree kraft you are very stupid...
I like how you keep thinking of me... that lack of man you live with not satisfying you anymore and looking for a real man?
But alas I have already told you, you are too old for me....
AIN'T LIFE GRAND...
It's too bad that their blindness can't see they are killing more soldiers than President Bush ever has... Protest Loud and Proud! Your fellow taliban and insurgents are rejoicing at the support...
posted on May 5, 2004 06:57:29 AM newWell for those who don't know He is DIRECTLY responsible to the hummer becoming a domestic consumer product. He convinced the THEN AM motors (since bought out by GM) to make it and he is in possesion of the first one off the assembly line.....
And that has what to do with the farm machinery deduction bill?
____________________
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. -- John F. Kennedy
posted on May 5, 2004 09:16:36 AM new
Because Bunnicula, he bought a Hummer at one time. (rolling eyes here---not at you,but the poster who said: Well for those who don't know He is DIRECTLY responsible to the hummer becoming a domestic consumer product. He convinced the THEN AM motors (since bought out by GM) to make it and he is in possesion of the first one off the assembly line..... )
__________________________________ In cyberspace, you can't hear a liberal scream.
posted on May 7, 2004 04:18:08 AM new
If he did not bring the overweight car into the domestic consumer market there wouldn't BE a car weathly opportunists to take advantage of the farm equipment tax incentive loophole.....
Wealthy people and their accountants know all of the loopholes they can exploit. So 8 different times he got to take a $90,000+ tax deduction and so did all of his H2 driving buddies.......
posted on May 7, 2004 04:25:24 PM new
Well since he's been in office for only a couple months I doubt it...... He had been seriously JOKING about running for Governor for years and had bought some of them in that time frame.
But he HAS been in hot water over his campaign promise to retrofit it to a hydrogen power motor
Some people will say and think that the Hummers are the greatest cars around and you can't get hurt or any thing in them.???
Not so
We just had one in Florida, lose control, cross over the median and slammed head on in to another car.
The Hummer caught on fire and the 2 people inside did not make it.No one did.
They were doing more then 100 mph.
