Influencing Everything You Do: Federal Government Launches “Cash For Appliances” Program

Proof • August 25, 2009

Back in February Obama started putting the heat on the Department of Energy to put into law tougher energy standards for appliances. Those standards would drive up the cost of appliances, but supposedly it would save us all money in the long run.
Now, with money appropriated in the “stimulus” spending spree, the federal government is running a “cash for clunkers” style rebate program for energy efficient appliances. Because there is no part of your life that these people don’t want to manipulate.

A $300 million cash-for-clunkers-type federal program to boost sales of energy-efficient home appliances provides a glimmer of hope for beleaguered makers of washing machines and dishwashers, but it’s probably not enough to lift companies such as Whirlpool (WHR) and Electrolux out of the worst down cycle in the sector’s history.
Beginning late this fall, the program authorizes rebates of $50 to $200 for purchases of high-efficiency household appliances. The money is part of the broader economic stimulus bill passed earlier this year. Program details will vary by state, and the Energy Dept. has set a deadline of Oct. 15 for states to file formal applications. The Energy Dept. expects the bulk of the $300 million to be awarded by the end of November.

Cash for clunkers went over budget, has been a bureaucratic nightmare and has accomplished the exact opposite goals as the proponents of the program intended. I don’t really expect this program to be any different.
What’s more, why is the federal government deficit spending on a program like this when it’s completely unnecessary? If these energy-efficient appliances were worth their salt we’d be buying them already. If they have to be subsidized by the federal government to be sold, then why are we subsidizing them at all?

Tags: Asshats, Domestic Issues, Politics

http://Array DenFletcher

Then, things went sideways. After closing, after we start painting â€“ we find a problem. A big, glaring problem. That problem happens to be a leaking toilet â€“ that has apparently been leaking for some time (measured in potentially years) into the sub flooring. This means all the wood beneath the tile floor under the toilet it rotten and moldy, and that dampness and mold may have spread to the rest of the flooring and areas.
jimmypop

rob, they have done this with windows, solar panels, geothermal, insulation…. blah, blah… for years. this time its just easier for ANYONE to do it. the power companies have done it also. i know the schools in fargo get geothermal for HUGE discounts through credits back from power (power companies are as ‘public’ as the dot… if you doubt me, go open one.) companies.

btw, its been wrong the whole time.
sayanything-4124

I am waiting for cash for couches lol Maybe cash for a sleep number bed? Cash for food for my great dane? Ohhhhh, cash for books. Books are one of the few American made products. Printed right here in the good ole’ USA. Do your part! Buy, buy, buy books, and we will give you an incentive to do so. That, I could go for

In the last year, we have purchased threenew appliances. Our old stove died, so we bought a new double oven flat top stove. Love it. It was much more expensive than purchasing a basic stove. The tag on the stove said it was energy efficient, but I don’t care. It would take a very long time to make it worth the cost energy savings wise. I bought it because I cook alot and the double oven is like crack for me. If I eventually get some energy savings out of it, then great, but i won’t hold my breath.

Our old washer and dishwasher were using an ungodly amount of water so we bought a new dishwasher and a front loader washing machine. Both energy efficient, and both giving an immediate savings in our water bill, so that works out well.

*We* bought all of these appliances. They do not benefit anyone but us, so why would I think that you need to pay for them? It just robs demand from some other sector when you do this.

Cash for Clunkers stole sales from appliances, furniture, Disneyworld, etc. Now the govt is going to do a cash for washing machines and whatever. Again, that will steal demand from other areas of the economy, including, ironically, cars. Then the govt will have to do cash for upgraded furniture or something else, and the cycle starts all over again.
http://www.valleydeals.com/cgi-bin/board2/YaBB.pl Kevin

Obama and his fellow travelers love instant gratification!
Brent

Even if these purchases (new cars, new appliances) made sense during good times, they don’t make sense right now. Production is lacking and trying to get coordinated, people are on average in way too much debt, and we are destroying our working cars and household appliances.

FDR burned crops to increase food prices during the worst depression in our history, when people were literally starving. With that one exception, it is difficult to think of a more inhumane domestic policy enacted by our federal government.
Old Retired Petty Officer

And after the missus and I bought a new washer and dryer early last spring. OK it was money from a claim settlement against a former employer of the wife’s. We bought a really good, high quality set from a local company.
http://www.bikebubba.blogspot.com/ Bike Bubba

Looks like I’m going to get that coal stove after all!
http://www.superiorlighting.com/ EnergyEfficientLights

Great blog, glad I came across it.

Am I the only one that actually doesn’t mind this? The government is spending a ton of money anyway, the least they could do is provide some environmental benefits. Personally, I am in the business of energy efficient lights so I see this as a good thing. Consumers are using old appliances that use more energy to do far less than newer ones. If the government wants to help people make the switch it’s fine by me.

And yes, it will save you money in the long run…
docdave

If the government wants to help people make the switch it’s fine by me.

Mandating is helping????!! Today people can choose to buy any type of light they want. That’s called freedom. The governments ‘energy efficient’ program is going to take that choice away from you. That’s called tyranny.
http://www.bikebubba.blogspot.com/ Bike Bubba

Actually, “EnergyEfficientLights,” the program won’t save money at all, nor will it save much energy. The reason is that (just like cars) it takes energy to make an appliance, and a lot of older appliances are simply a LOT more durable than the ones that are replacing them. So replacing appliances currently in use not only eliminates the residual value of the old appliances, it also causes us to use MORE energy in building newer ones.

Ask anyone who used to work for Maytag in Newton, Iowa what happened with Maytag’s formerly famed reliability as “EnergyStar” and “Six Sigma” got going. It’s not pretty, and it’s certainly not environmentally responsible. It’s why Newton no longer makes appliances, too.

To draw another picture, refridgerators used to last 30 years or so. I personally remember my grandmother using one built in the 1950s–and I was only born in 1969. Now they last 10 years.
http://suitepotato.blogspot.com/ sayanything-4808

My current plan is to get new appliances when I need them, and pay cash. So far, that’s worked. Not seeing where the government needs to “help” me by taking money out of my paycheck to give back to me so they can take credit when I can take the money out of my paycheck all by myself and cut them out.

Oh yeah, they’re raving egomaniacs with degenerate self-image who cannot live without us bowing to them, so we can’t cut them out.

The hell we can’t.

I’m also looking to insulate, add some solar arrays, and prewire the house for the 21st century with fiber.

All without the government having any way to take credit for it.

Hey libtards, do me a favor and take a flying leap on this crap about us owing liberalism a damn thing. We don’t need you.

SayAnythingBlog.com

Influencing Everything You Do: Federal Government Launches “Cash For Appliances” Program

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