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They had a "workshop" in late May, on a weekday with very little press coverage or advance notice. Seems that in order to meet their assumed clean-air goals, not only do they want to do away with the older vehicles' Smog Check exemption but also subject them to more stringent hydrocarbon emission "cut points" - more stringent than they were designed, engineered and built to meet. The argument is that if this isn't done, then California stands to lose some or all of its federal highway money. Of course, the tired arguments about serving the public are also trotted out from the same roundup of usual suspects that, by their actions (or lack of action) either encouraged or did nothing to stop the polluting of California's groundwater with the known cancer-causer MTBE.
Why? WHY NOT? There's only a $12 billion surplus in California's state coffers - growing by the day - and precious little of it is spent on streets, roads and highways. Us taxpayers need that money, at the very least, so we can keep our vehicles' wheels in alignment as well as purchase tires, wheels, shock absorbers and related repair services that the "quality" roads around here make necessary.
If the State isn't putting any of that huge chunk of cash into the roads, streets and highways, then what, pray tell are they putting it into? This is why, if you're a car lover - especially if you're a vintage car nut - you should keep up with what's happening and who's doing it in the public affairs that concerns you, your hobby and for many of you out there, a good chunk of your livelihood. It's campaign season out there, folks - time to learn who's running for office at the local, state and Federal levels. Find out where they stand on the matters that concern you directly especially auto-related issues - it's not just a good idea, it's something you need to do. If they're on your side, make sure you tell your friends, family, neighbors, coworkers and everybody else about 'em - then get involved with getting 'em elected. There are still plenty of parades coming up between now and Election Day, so don't be shy about volunteering that vintage car or truck of yours for a parade stint carrying a car-nut-friendly candidate or two. (Or three, if you've got one of those huge Cadillac, Lincoln, Imperial or other full-size drop-tops!)
Disclaimer:
The opinions and views expressed above are not necessarily the opinions
and views of Total Control Products. |
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© 2008 Total Control Products - A Chris Alston's Chassisworks, Inc. Brand |
(916) 388-0288 |
Make
Government Change
Don't
look now - but the California Air Resources Board (CARB) wants to do
away with the pre-'74 car and truck exemption from Smog Check and do
away with what we worked hard to get (SB 42) just a few years ago.
When
the new administration takes office in Washington next January (and,
let's hope to God it isn't led by the Vice Perpetrator!), let's hope
that its restored-to-original-purpose. Justice Department hits the water
defilers with criminal and civil actions backed with the full force
of Federal law, including the racketeering and asset-seizure-and-forfeiture
provisions used (in the name of "protecting our children")
against those who manufacture and sell crack, crank and any other contrabandable
chemical. And let's also hope their EPA doesn't single out old cars
and trucks for the abuse that CARB seems to have in mind. Meanwhile,
on Capitol Hill, the next Congress would be well advised to do something
creative with the federal tax revenues coming from the Golden State:
Refund it to the taxpayers, bypassing the State of California.
Of
course, those in power, especially in Sacramento, will argue that it's
not really the people's money, it's the government's money, and they
know best how to spend it while the "unenlightened" people
don't. (After all, the people live to serve them, right?)