On one hand many of us are finding that we are going to receive little or no Hybrid tax credit that was promised us due to the mysterious AMT rules, yet Congress refuses to institute a “windfall profits” tax on the oil companies, even as Exxon posts the largest annual profit ever recorded by a US company.
On one hand many of us are finding that we are going to receive little or no Hybrid tax credit that was promised us due to the mysterious AMT rules, yet Congress refuses to institute a “windfall profits” tax on the oil companies, even as Exxon posts the largest annual profit ever recorded by a US company.
it doesnt take a tax credit to sell a hybrid. It helps, but isnt required.
the problem is when you lead people to believe you are incentivizing a technology through a tax credit and then saying GOTCHA and not providing that credit to the very people who are investing in the technology that was being subsadized.
I am not going to go into all the reasons for subsadizing technology or all the past instances that have yielded posative results. This happens every day though. Normally its huge businesses that get the tax credits, grants etc. With this credit the people were being helped. It is obvious that whoever developed the tax code to implement the credit had no interest in helping build a foundation for the technology.
there are lots of people that will only buy a hybrid if the incentive exist. which is a shame and just kind of lends credit that the hybrid manufacturers need to do a lot more... the savings on mpg alone, is not good enough imo. triple or at least double it, and you won't need any subsidies.
I knew it was a credit that might reduce my tax liability to less than the AMT, so nobody promised me that I would get it.
In my view the tax credit was promised. The IRS forms clearly stated the tax credit that would be recieved for each hybrid vehicle. It did NOT say that this was subject to AMT or anything else other than that you must have paid enough tax in the first place.
I paid over 11k in taxes, and should have $5500 in tax credits due. However, due to the bait and switch tactics of our government, I will only recieve $2200. The government clearly wanted to appear to be doing something positive for the environment, but it was only for appearnance sake.
there are lots of people that will only buy a hybrid if the incentive exist. which is a shame and just kind of lends credit that the hybrid manufacturers need to do a lot more... the savings on mpg alone, is not good enough imo. triple or at least double it, and you won't need any subsidies.
The main purpose of hybrids is to use LESS fossil fuels, period. People that think the only purpose is to save money are short sighted.
Yes, I'm upset about the government not giving the promised amount of tax credit, but I would have purchased my hybrids anyway because it's the right thing to do. Many people still don't seem to realize that the environmental problems we have caused primarly by the burning of fossil fuel, is the single largest problem our society faces.
Well then you are putting a tiny, probably not even measurable dent into what you believe is the problem. Unless you make a complete change in your lifestyle (not just you), you are not helping by burning less fuel by your car alone. Your (i mean everybody, not just you) commute is probably long, you probably have a nice home with a ton of items plugged in on stand by mode, you might recycle (but not to the degree really needed). So your footprint has been reduced by a tiny amount if your car is the only thing that you have done. But hey, if it makes you sleep better at night, more power to ya.
Well then you are putting a tiny, probably not even measurable dent into what you believe is the problem. Unless you make a complete change in your lifestyle (not just you), you are not helping by burning less fuel by your car alone. Your (i mean everybody, not just you) commute is probably long, you probably have a nice home with a ton of items plugged in on stand by mode, you might recycle (but not to the degree really needed). So your footprint has been reduced by a tiny amount if your car is the only thing that you have done. But hey, if it makes you sleep better at night, more power to ya.
Your attitude seems cynical to me. Vehicles do contribute to global warming, and yet on any Interstate highway there are passenger vehicles that range anywhere from 60+ mpg, to under 12 mpg. We're not talking a small percentage difference. The average gas hog SUV/truck gets maybe 15 mpg, while my Prius gets triple that. A 300% difference is just way too much from a common-sense perspective.
And yes, there are other things to be done:
I do recycle all clear glass, newspapers, cardboard, tin cans, plastic jugs (it is encouraged in NY, and facilities and infrastructure in place to do that)
I insulated my house
I replaced a 40% efficiency furnace with a 92% efficiency furnace
I use a set-back digital thermostat to lower temps in the house while it is empty
I replaced almost all incandescent bulbs with energy efficient replacements
ALL my vehicles get 40 mpg or better highway mileage
My commute is a half mile. I walked to work this morning, despite it being below zero F and a stiff breeze. I walk to work 95% of the time.
etc.
So, yes, it isn't just about vehicles. But if you are driving a gas hog, you are part of the problem and not part of the solution.
Well then you are putting a tiny, probably not even measurable dent into what you believe is the problem. . . .
Two men decided to go lion hunting. But as the day wore on, they had to step behind a bush to relieve themselves. Just at that time, a huge lion jumped out and started chasing them.
One man turned to the other and said,"Why are we running? Man can not outrun a lion."
His friend said,"I'm just trying to out run you."
There is an old proverb that "perfect is the enemy of good enough" and often assertions like this are given to discourage folks and get them to 'give up.' The claim is that if it isn't perfect, one might as well not try. But I'm not trying for perfect, just better than those who give up.
Tax credit woes & Exxon profits...
Re: Tax credit woes & Exxon profits...
