Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., is preparing the most damaging legislation in 20 years.
Kerry is seeking the Democratic nomination for president in 2004 and with the fortune of his wife (Teresa Heinz of pickle and ketchup fame), he may just have a chance. In order to do so, he must secure the Democratic base. He has chosen environmental extremists as his first audience. By aiding such groups, Kerry's legislation will damage two fundamental rights and do little to protect the environment.
Senator Kerry wants to revise the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to include trucks, sport utility vehicles and minivans. There are two parts to his motivation, the first being that such legislation would remove "evil" SUVs from the road, making everyone safer in their compact cars. The second theory is that increased fuel economy will protect the environment. The reality is that both of these goals have horrendous consequences.
The first fundamental right threatened is safety. The truth is that CAFE is responsible for tens of thousands of American deaths each year.
In order to comply with this outdated legislation, automakers create small, light vehicles that get great fuel economy.
By this process, they can average fleet economy and produce the cars people want. These small cars are prone to destruction when pitted with any other kind of vehicle.
Kerry argues that if SUVs weren't on the road everyone would be safer. What about utility poles, guard rails and semi trucks? Will they suddenly be more kind to compact cars because the SUV is gone? Of course not. The concept of increased safety by forcing everyone to drive a dangerous car is ludicrous.
The idea that increased fuel economy will protect the environment is an illusion. Left to its own devices, the auto industry will eventually produce a 40-miles-per-gallon SUV. It may be 30 years, but when market demand rises, it will become available.
It isn't available because the technology doesn't exist. Legislation doesn't make technology appear out of thin air, and this bill will not either. The only result of this legislation will be that the development of the SUV will stop.
No more for sale means people will keep their current fuel-consuming vehicles as long as they run. The environmental damage will continue and the dream of a fuel-efficient truck, SUV or minivan will die with the CAFE regulations.
As mentioned previously, the legislation would deny us two fundamental rights: the first was safety; the second is prosperity. New CAFE regulations will kill the auto industry and the jobs that go with it. Even if a huge development project takes place to create a 40-mpg SUV, no one will be interested in paying the enormous price and sales will decrease.
When no one continues to make SUVs, consumers who know their safety is at stake will keep their old SUV. They won't purchase the new fuel-efficient compact car and sales will decrease. When sales decrease, auto makers fire employees. Every company that supplies parts for the auto industry will suffer. A failing auto industry threatens everyone.
If environmentalists spent the money they use to lobby politicians on developing that 40-mpg SUV, then perhaps it would be available in 15 years instead of 30.
If environmentalists want to see the true source of their problems, quit blaming people for wanting safety and versatility. Environmentalists should blame their organizations for being politically active instead of scientifically.
If you want progress, organize and innovate. No great thing was ever done by paying a politician to whine about it.
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