Obama Boosts Fuel Economy Standards Despite Detroit's Woes

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I understand that we all need to conserve our fuels, ok? But the auto makers already make fuel efficent vehicles for Europe but are not allowed for U.S. sales:(
These U.S. made vehicles for European countries are also safer, being equipped with the European required, double crossed, safety belts that include the standard lap belt. These safety belts are safer and reduces the amount of injury without creating injuries, unlike the U.S. single strap across the shoulder, with lap belt design. The single strap with lap belt design actually creates more injury with broke necks and broken clavical bones. With the double strap with lap, making an X across the driver's and passenger's upper torso, securing the entire upper torso of a person without braking bones. Like the NASCAR safety belts:)
The only reason that I found that the U.S. automakers do not sell these vehicles made for Europe, in the U.S., is because of the lenses. Europe requires an AMBER Colored tail light rather than the RED Colored tail light.
As far as the U.S. automakers being given money? They were given a LOAN...NOT A BAILOUT! The banks and other companies got the BAILOUT money.

lindilu ashbury of NH 12:50PM March 28, 2009

568 Billion WAS the deficit under GWB after 911,Katrina and IKE.
1.9 TRILLION now after 2 months of Obama.
As I stated, we need to wean our dependance on foriegn oil but not by slapping the auto makers with one hand and handing over OUR money with the other.

Chris Petty of GA 10:08PM March 27, 2009

The longest journey begins with that first step. Americans must simply change their consumption habits and what better time for change than when a nation is in a deep economic crisis. Now is the time to increase fuel economy on cars. Down with gas guzzlers regardless of the price of fuel. Up with the economy cars and the electric autos. Government spending on the weatherising of homes should follow soon.Bit by bit the implementation of the Obama energy strategy will contribute to attaining the goal of energy independence.

Dr. Dhanayshar Mahabir 8:48PM March 27, 2009

Obama is in it to do the country good in the long term, not just the short term of being President.
Let's face it, Detroit has been dragging the country through the mud with it low quality standards, expensive vehicles with gas guzzling habits. The thought that people buy these vehicles is just sickening.
It's about time that SOMEONE is doing something about our dependence on foreign oil. Has anyone looked at the CIA website? China, Germany, Saudi Arabia all have BILLIONS in the bank, while America is 568 BILLION in debt. Not to mention that the US is the country with the MOST debt.
I'm sorry, Detroit and Chris Petty of GA, but there will always be casualties in PROGRESS.

Thinking About a Progressive Future of CA 7:07PM March 27, 2009

This should have been done long ago.
Next thing to do to save fuel -
take the federal government to a four 10 hour day work week in most areas. It would cut gas consumption by 20% for these folks, get the same work done, reduce road congestion during commute hours, and leave these folks a great 3 day weekend.
I did this for a few years for a computer company, and loved it. Customer service staff rotated between Friday and Monday off, so there was also no break in service either.
Let's Do It Some More! No need to buy so much foreign fuel!

Dorfy of SC 3:35PM March 27, 2009

Cause I'm president now.
Everyone agrees that the US needs to curb it's fuel appetite but not by putting the rest of us out of work and kicking the failing US auto makers when they're already on the ground. This is the kind of move a leader makes when things are going well and the industry can afford it. A condition we're not likely to see under Obama.

Chris Petty of GA 3:18PM March 27, 2009