Brian27

Auto MPG: The Economics of CAFE, Part One

Right on point. The CAFE standards and the EPA are unconstitutional. Of course the proponents of CAFE standards and the EPA can offer up a constitutional amendment to make the standards legal. That means confronting the legislative branches with a public vote. This of course is the way laws are to be passed in a constitutional republic. Not ordained by a King or President and blessed by the supreme court. Let the people speak on CAFE standards.

On May 21 11:10 AM quickZ wrote:

> Of course, your entire argument dies on a threshold quesiton: Under
> what Consitutional rubric is our federal government supposed to be
> regulating fleet gas mileage and limiting our freedom to drive the
> vehicle we choose? The only argument for any of the CAFE mess is
> the "necessary and proper" clause in Art. I, Sec. 8, and under any
> reasonable reading of it, CAFE and indeed the EPA is unconstitutional.
> If we want to do these things, then let's amend our Constitution
> to permit the EPA, which will require building a concensus on this
> kind of regulation.
>
> In lieu of that, give me freedom--to drive what I want to drive.
>
>
> If you must regulate me, then tax the gasoline (a much more Constitutional
> approach, as at least the Const contemplates taxes and excises) so
> at least we can drive what we want if we are willing to pay the freight.
> Otherwise, we'll have lots of unsold little cars on car lots. <br/>
>
> When gas was 4.00 per gallon, Priuses were flying off the lots; when
> gas came back down, sales of P-cars dropped about 40%. Gas taxes
> make much more sense than CAFE standards--it is how the Europeans
> handle this issue, and it will generate more money for the govt as
> a bonus. It is simple, and it works.