WH to Lead By Example, Replacing “The Beast” with a Smart Car

Actually, that isn’t True, but it would be Nice if Politicians Practiced what they Preached for Once

WASHINGTON- The White House announced yesterday that the Obama Administration has collaborated with GM, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, and Hyundai to increase Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for new cars to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.  While studies have shown that this standard will have no impact on global emissions, it will increase the profits of the endorsing companies by forcing Americans to buy more expensive cars.

In response, Thomas Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, issued the following statement:

“Yesterday’s CAFE announcement is government intervention at its worst.  Higher fuel economy mandates are based on the Obama Administration’s belief that Americans are too stupid to decide for themselves which cars to buy.  The auto companies should be ashamed of themselves for rolling over, yet again, and signing on to this pact.”

“American families should have the same freedom to choose transportation for their children and grandchildren as the Secret Service has in its choice of vehicles to protect the President.  His limo gets 8 miles to the gallon and weighs 10,000 pounds, but it protects him from numerous dangers.  There’s a reason President Obama isn’t driven around in a Smart Car surrounded by Secret Service agents in Minis.

“Time and time again, studies have proven that these types of CAFE standards cause increased deaths in auto accidents by forcing Americans to drive smaller, lighter cars.  These rules will continue to force Americans to sacrifice safety, comfort, and affordability as a result of the Obama Administration’s obsession with fuel economy.

“While these new standards will increase the deaths of Americans in auto accidents, it will also increase auto manufacturers’ profits by forcing Americans to buy more expensive cars.  Instead of taking a ‘balanced approach’ to purchasing a car, President Obama wants to force Americans to consider fuel economy over any other aspect – even the car’s price.  President Obama’s automobile choice shows that he cares about features other than fuel economy, so why is he forcing the American people to choose fuel economy first and foremost?

“Instead of putting limits on Americans’ freedoms, President Obama should allow the free market to function so that auto companies are making the types of cars that Americans want, not the types of cars that his radical anti-energy constituency wants.