Government handouts

Has anyone taken advantage of Goverment funds to build your /or start you company??? I keep hearing about government funds being given away free money to start businesses.

Maybe you could get one if you are going to open a insurance conglomorate IE .AIG or a brokerage house IE Goldman Slacks

You should talk to this guy....

If you are a Minority, the Gov't will bend over backwards to help you.

I think they only fund important projects like ' The study of stick bug mating habits '

Well, the government blew through $3 billion in funds for the CARS rebate in less than half the time they expected and now announced that they are doing the same for appliances. When will these leberal fools learn that putting us deeper in debt for an end run bailout of all these industries is not going to get us out of this mess. The CARS deal will show its true colors in 6 - 12 months when we see how many vehicles are reposessed. A great number of the cars just sold under the program were definately sold to people who could barely afford to keep the car they had on the road, but, because of the govt. money and low or non-existant interest rates, they jumped into a new car with a substantial payment. You see $40,000 cars leaving the lot with a 20-25 year old car as the clunker (real value $500/clunker value $3500) and know they jumped in because of deal. NOW, we see more of our money being shoveled out the door to buy a new appliance??? The reality of the deal is, these handouts are taken advantage of by many. There are many who DO need to replace their appliance, since it is very old or near death. But many who use this are well off and can afford to pay the price. But, as usual, we will foot the bill for this. I say, let me keep my money (tax increases are on the way) and I will spend it as I see fit.

Who's next for a bailout?? The p***o industry??? (oh, yeah, they already asked for goverment money to bolster themselves and probably got a backdoor payout on the sly).............................

I agree with your comment... Why don't they do things... Money to add Solar to my home, or wind power...Something that gives back to everyone...

Shoot , thats why California is in trouble with all those studys that the state pay for at 100G payrolls...

This is why we are where we are. Politicians who don't live in the real world (like Dead Kennedy...ooops, Thats Ted). He None of them have done squat to help control spending, just shovel it out faster and faster. When we are where we are today, they should be looking at cutting spending, not adding to it with back door bailouts and more hand outs. Obama Lammas spending is out of control. Cash for cars, Cash for appliances, government healthcare....where does it end?? We go deeper into debt, yet still they spend. Too bad the general public is too stupid to realize this and vote ALL of them out. They are there to serve US, yet, they make careers of doing nothing to help but make gevernment bigger and more costly at OUR expense!!!

I say good riddance to the final Kennedy and all others who finally leave DC. I only hope the next ones to enter are a little better(pipe dream!!!!)

So CT I take it you won't be going to Boston to pay respects to Kennedy?

He's never been one of my favorites. I feel for the family in the respect that they lost two members in such a short time. However, the political record of the man will be touted as the greatest ever, but truly should have retired years ago and let some new ideas come in. The unfortunate sense of entitlement that our politicians feel.

And, Sun, where ya been on this topic?? I thought you would have been loud on this one...........

IMO, There hasn't been a great politician in many years, although Kennedy was instrumental in passing some key bills that no doubtedly assisted the nation into becoming what it is ( certain healthcare and equality bills ), he also worked against many of the rights we enjoy as American citizens ( Instrumental in gun control, "Bush administration war crimes", and "CIA torture"?????) It's tragic for any family to lose a loved one, but for the general public he will be replaced. I just hope he is not replaced with some far left nut job, like we've seen enter the administration near frequently since Obama's been in office...

I live in Mass. EEECH ,Its Fu***n expensive to be here. Duval P it a waste and it would seem he may be looking for a new job come reelection time

Don't know much about Duval, I hope for your sake he's not in the likes of Sotamayer, Pelosi, et al. Seems like all the crazy's come from CA,VT,MA,or CT....

tint 51 you hit it right on the head. Why not put that money into something that is really productive (wind/solar energy). I heard the other day that next year GM will be coming out with a electric car that is supposed to get 250 mpg. I would rather raise taxes for technology like that than for appliances to go on sale. If we are going to throw all of our money away we might as well put it in somewhat of a good place. I heard on the news(i know you cant always trust them but...)that the CASH for clunkers thing was also allowing people to buy big SUV's that in most cases the gas was worse than in their previous clunker. WTF???? That shouldnt be right. The government needs to do something to try and help us start recovering from this trillion dollar debt. I think we should learn by CA and make medicinal /\/\4R1jU4|\|4 legal all over and tax the %&$# out of it( about like cigarettes). Im not a pothead by no means but damn...we really need to start looking for a way out. With all this stuff going on I might have to start smoking tho to get me out of this depression about our economics. Sorry for ranting it just really pisses me off.

Sounds good but I don't think they have voted to pass the Medical Pot to tax it yet.. we will see.. but good idea..Plus things like solar can make your meter run backwards..making more for everyone....!

The only reason why I said that about taxing the medicinal mary-j was cause its been all over CNN about a month ago that they started to tax it up in oakland. Its crazy. Its just a matter of time before the rest of the state follows suit then comes the rest of the states lol

Bring it on.....

...for what it's worth....gov't bailouts have amounted to one thing, the rich getting richer....The poor haven't gotten poorer, the poor just lost everything they signed up for and couldn't afford. Cash for clunkers will lead to the same thing as Mitsubishi in the early 2000's, people getting into cars they can't afford (hummers), and getting the vehicle repo'd. The downfall is our tax $$$ have helped put these people into these vehicles that will go on the auction block. In the end these vehicles will make some small mom and pop dealer happy. To bail out big companies like AIG, however, does not help the general public. If AIG failed another company will buy up their investments, in turn putting a failed company out of business. It's our fault big business has the notion that CEO's should get million dollar bonuses, or big business is so big that our gov't will help them out..We vote the people into office who are reaping the benefits...Step back and look at your local representative first, then look at your state representative, and the chain goes on....Until the mayhem stops, and it won't until the country is in complete turmoil ( as if it isn't already), nothing will change. We should all thank our blessings, gods, or whatever you may believe or not believe, that we are in a skilled trade and no one can open up a Tint Mart, and put us out of business, because if Tint Mart opens we're all done...

Back to original question! So no one has heard of anything or it is just not there for the middle class...?

Middle class gets nothing, upper class gets bonuses.

Cash for clunkers wont be a repo problem, banks arent just "handing out" loans.. if you have a score of 730 you can still get turned down on debt/income ratios.

And alot more clunker customers are paying with a check than youd expect. Of course up here we have a tremendous gas lease explosion with the marcellus shale exploration. Gas wells popping up all over.

Not sure where you are, Mobile, but I watched the cars fly off the lots here (some local dealers have NO new cars left). Yes, there are turn downs for conventional loans, but, dealers have many avenues to get financing. So many who got into the CARS deal could not affors to buy a new vehicle before, so how can they now??? The trade in clunker value was not enough to get their payments down to nothing. You will see, there will be an influx of repoed cars hitting the lots in 6 months to 1 year. Also, how many do you think paid with a check??? That is a non-point. There are not that many out there who have $25K plus just laying around today. Re-think that statement. I went in to investigate trading in the wifes car, but didnt have enough time for it. The salesman told us that cars were flying off the lot and they were having trouble catching up with the paperwork of both the CARS and FINANCING. Bide your time, you will see the unfortunate truth.....this was a backdoor bailout for the automakers AND no good for the general public. In a time when they keep preaching to us about fiscal responsibility, and not overspending and charging too much, the government pushes us to spend more (First cars, now appliances, what next???)

I agree at that statemnt.. I work for a dealer.. and that is my take on it too!.. It helps the dealers / sevice and puts people back into debt.. it may get some gas gizzlers off the road but there other ways ..

And where exactly do you think electricity comes from? How is it made? When you have to plug that car in at night, you are using electricity to charge it up, which makes a power plant work that much harder, which in turn pumps out more pollution. Electric cars are NOT the answer. As a matter of fact, the idea of electric cars is a falsehood that they would ever lower "greenhouse" gasses. Raising taxes for anything is a bad idea. Making pot legal will not solve any problems either, although I would be for the legalization of it. Solar and wind power, while a good alternative, would be on a very small scale as they dont supply enough power and is extremely expensive.

Cash for clunkers....I bet many of the people who engaged in that ridiculous plan know that they will have to pay taxes on that $3500-$4500, b/c it will be considered income. I tinted a Tundra (fully loaded) today for a guy who participated in it, and he didnt know about it. He traded a 99 F150, that had no problems, and was paid off simply b/c he wanted something new. The kicker? He is unemployed, but recieves checks from, you guessed it, the govt.

So, to the original question about recieving govt handouts for business? Dont do it. If you have to "borrow" (which is really what it is) money to start a business in this industry, then you arent ready to start a business.

But remember, it is a short term boost. I dont have a problem with gas guzzlers. And anyone who drives such a vehicle cannot complain about "I cant afford the gas." Well, if you cant afford the gas, you prob cant afford a new car either. It bugs the crap out of me when I hear someone say that who has a paid off vehicle, that wants to buy a new car, simply b/c of gas mileage.

The new chevy volt This is what I was talking about. I have to say I disagree with you about electric not taking off. I think the new chevy volt will change the playing field as we know it. The press confrence I read somewhere said something about the price. IDK if its true or not but they said it was supposed to start at around 50k if im not mistaken. Thats really the only downfall I can see with the car. I like the stylish looks of it and hope they come out pretty soon. i dont know about you but I dont have that long of a commute and have a hook-up at the shop if I needed to recharge. That wouldnt be too bad having to fill your car up every few weeks...

I didnt just make that statement randomly, the main line of business Im in is on-location dealerhsip service. I gathered that information from the 30+ dealerships I do business with throughout the area. I ask the question constantly, "hows business?"

25 grand!?!? The dealership incentives and clunker discount meant about 9 grand for a new G6. And definately inventory is totally depleted at the lots that could afford to wait and offer it until the end. However, the financing on 9 grand is not out of reach for most people. One chevy dealer in my area had more check writing than financing.

Especially after the mortgage blowup, banks cannot afford any more risk. I just highly doubt the issue of reposession and see the economy improving in my area. My wife sells real estate, and that has recently grown as well.

The only dark news is the news, were all still in business and will continue to be fine. Stocks are going up, the economy is recovering.

WOW, so you're saying the new G6? lists for about less than $20 k??? 9 GRAND plus the max of $4500 comes to $13,500. And dealer incentives reach are $3500 (looked it up on their website) That would put the price (as you are saying) at $17,000. Kind of tough to believe, when the stripped down model starts at $21K. And just so you realize it, manu of the vehicles leaving the lots were nowhere near that price (the dealers here were moving tons of Pilots, Odyseas, Toyota vans all starting at $32,000+) AND, I went to shop for a new vehicle for my wife and there were minimal incentives being offered and no discussions on pricing, since they were moving so many cars, they werent discussiong it. If you really think that so many of the people who got into this deal bought the G6 or other cheap vehicle and did not jump up to a more expensive car due to the CARS program, you may feel differently soon!!!

I know what car you are talking about, but how can an electric car be better for the environment when you still need polluting energy generation to power the car. You are missing the point. This car does nothing for a cleaner environment, nothing. If everyone drove a Volt, or any fully electric car for that matter, there would be a higher demand for electricty that is required to power the vehicle. Electric cars are similar to gas powered vehicles in that they pollute. Electric cars do it by way of getting their juice. I think the range on that car is about 200 miles. It would last me about a day and a half. So of course it wouldnt be the car for me, but these cars wont solve anything.

Compressed natural gas is the answer. Much like gasoline, but its clean and plentiful. OR, hydrogen powered vehicles. The Honda Clarity puts the Volt to shame. Either one is a better alternative.

Lets also remember, foreign auto makers reaped the benefits of the cash for clunkers program. More Hondas, Toyotas, and Nissans were sold than Fords, GM's (any GM make), and Chysler. I couldnt agree more with your posts CT!

Actually the most sold vehicle was the Focus...But I agree with CT's post as well

Correct, but I was using a general statistic. Foriegn auto makers got 59% of all vehicles sold vs 41% of American auto makers.
Top 10 vehicles:
1. Ford Focus
2. Toyota Corolla
3. Honda Civic
4. Toyota Prius
5. Toyota Camry
6. Ford Escape
7. Hyundai Elantra
8. Dodge Caliber
9. Honda Fit
10. Chevrolet Cobalt
Link

Percentage per automakers

Thats a great breakdown, the only other upside is most of those hondas and toyotas were probably assembled here in the states..

This is why Nuc. power is the way to go.. Cleanest least amount of waste,,

You have some good points there. Hydrogen would be the best fuel source for vehicles. It would be nice to be able to drink your emissions up since its H2O

As far as our deficet goes...thats the whole american mentality!! Just throw money at it and it will be all better!! In our business how many times have we heard "Ill pay extra to get to the top of the list."? How many malls are jam packed with soccer moms that havent worked a day in their lives but spend. We all have to keep up with the Jones'. New Lexus, new Tahoe Heaven forbid I have one of the old styles!! New Flat panel TV the bigger the better! We as Americans dont save anything!! But we love to preach about saving this save that...just throw money at it! donate to saving the wales, saving the starving children in foreign countries, save the forests, save the planet.....just write me a check. Well here we are, in the worst deficet ever. But it is the peoples fault. This country was founded on the beliefs of a few that were tired of being told what to do, what to wear, what god to worship. If we the people are not happy with the way things are going, then we the people have the right and Constitution to back us up, and doing away with the Politicans that have made our lives this way, but do we do anything about it??? Write a check. Donate. Yeah...that will work. Ive preached for years now about the way corporate america treats the common person. Ever try to get some Techinal support from HP, Dish Network, ATT, you name it.....no offense but you get some person in a foreign country that speaks horrible english, I spend most of that time on hold. For what?? Just write a check.
Its our fault, Figurativly. We walk around with our heads up our asses saying "everything is just fine, lets try that new restraunt tonight". While our leaders tell us everything is Hunky dory!! I say bullshit!! Everything is not alright! Lets keep the rich rich and the poor will just die out, and then we will be all fine!! No poor people to drag us down.
Im white, married, with one child with my wife, not divorced. Ive worked %&$# jobs most of my life, struggling to make ends meet, Wife works her ass off to help. She needed a historectomy (sic) 21k$ surgery. Went to the gubment for help...heres what they said: Because your white we will not help, Because you have a biological child together we will not help, Because your married we will not help, Because you make 500$ More a month over our measly ass cut off we will not help. So Lets see here, we are married with child and no help (Damn us for trying to do things the right way) Im white so no help (Damn me for being of no color) And We both work so no help (damn us for not sitting on our dead asses with our hands out) WTF?? Where did we go wrong?

Im sorry for my rambling...and spelling...Im not the brightest crayon in the box....but I do know when things are going wrong...I will not bury my head in the sand and just throw money at a problem.

Great points. It does seem being in debt is the American way. The politicians must think that way. I think youre right. We need to "clean house" and get those that can be responsible with our money to make the right decisions. America has problems of its own and should stop pouring money into countries that will NEVER adopt our ways of life.

21K? Do you have insurance?

Insurance??? HA!! For 600 a month I could....this was 4 years ago. Besides all that....I tried getting her insured but no company would cover pre-exsisting conditions.

Insurance would be a problem for me too as a have a heart defect Kid.. they would never take me now...!!!

They would...for a hefty price. Remember, health insurance companies are a business that turns a profit.

At $600 a month (if thats what it would cost to insure her now) it would take 35 months to reach 21K. Seem like a bargain to pay $600/month and get the surgery within a year, even if the plan was a 20/80. That would be $4200 out of pocket after the surgery plus however many months you paid the $600. Medical bills are ALWAYS negotiable. Get it done and when the bill comes in, dont pay until they call you. Get it reduced and get on a payment plan, say $15k (I bet you can get it 10k), and thats $416/month for 3 years.

I feel for both of you about preconditions, and Im sure its tougher for you than it is me.

I think thats messed up!! If a kid has a couple speeding tickets and a wreck....he can still get car insurance. Might pay more, but since you have a heart defect, I assume from birth, your screwed.

Well with that being said. What do you guys think about the health insurance proposal going on right now?

I dont know enough about it to know who it will help or hurt...although all ive heard is bad stuff.