How will the new U.S. goverment affect our hobby? OT

[steveplym]

Just wondering now that the democrats will have control of the house, senate, and oval office what will happen if anything to affect our hobby. I know I've helped groups like SEMA Action Network defeat legislation on inoperable vehicles and the like here in IL in the last 10 years. In talking to several of my old car buddies they seem to think there may be stiffer rules regarding older vehicles coming out with the new administration.

My argument will and always be that these cars are driven minimal miles each year and compared to the industry the greenhouse gas emissions are much lower from our vehicles. Only problem is with tougher emissions standards on those industries they will be looking to get credits to emit more emissions. That means they may try to blame older vehicles for that and get more credits by trying to force older cars off the roads. I've seen legislation like this being introduced in other states.

I try to keep an eye on the legislative issues coming up in the state goverments and federal governments. You can check for pending legislation at http://www.semasan.org

If we don't continue to stand up for our hobby and rights who will?

[Norm's Coupe]

When it comes to political parties, I'm an independent so I'm not taking any side here. However, I don't think it matters which party has control of congress or the White House when it comes to old cars like ours. Not all old car lovers belong to the same political party and some members of both parties own old cars. Case in point. Just look at Bill Clinton. Before becoming President he tooled around Little Rock in his 65 Mustang. Pretty sure he still owns it and is probably tooling around New York in it now. Regardless of how anyone feels about him while he was President, he's still an old car lover. So.....I wouldn't loose any sleep over the current congress doing much different than what they have been doing in the past regarding old cars. Don't forget, they like to ride in them in parades too.

[wilmot andy]

Spread the wealth? Since I have 2 old cars will I lose one so it could be given to someone less fortunate?

[claybill]

i am the less fortunate guy who gets your car! send it or do i come pick it up?

worrying about all thhis stuff that is conjured up will turn your hair gray.

bill

[steveplym]

I just wondered what everyone else thought about the subject. I'm the kind that expects the worse, but hopes for the best. I was caught off guard several years ago when I found out that my state was enacting laws that could affect my hobby. Figured might as well get involved and keep up to date on the stuff. Then I will know some of what is going on.

[Frank Blackstone]

This new administration is about CHANGE. You can go blind imagining what that may mean. I don't believe it will be any change favorable to people like us.

Colin Powell was doing a valve job on his project car the night before he as Commander of the Joint Chief's ordered the Iraqi invasion.The next day during an interview he kept his hands below the desk because he was ashamed of the dirt on his hands. That is my kind of man.

I heard Clinton put his car in his museum. Maybe for safe keeping. In my opinion O does not have the same appreciation for automobiles as Clinton. Getting prepared for CHANGE, Frank

[greg g]

I would think that they have more important stuff to deal with than hobby cars. Besides these are State Issues.

Clinton's car is in the museum to keep the back seat DNA samples from going public.

[PatS....]

With the mess he's inheriting from "B", I sure hope to he!! he doesn't waste a minute on anything to do with old cars!

Isn't most of that state and local anyway? I know up here the federal gov't has little to do with laws that would affect the old car hobby.

I don't think "O" could possibly do worse than "B".

[Don Jordan]

This is just my 2 cents - but "old, junk" cars are a scapegoat - that's it.

If you want to save the polar ice caps, clean the air, save the mighty eagle then get rid of junk yards. Junk yards are an eye sore. Once you've accomplished that and all the local voters think you're a hero then go for all the non op cars, parts cars all a blight on the country.

People are silly - find something, one little thing and ignore all the big things. People don't care about history. Not only do we have to worry about our cars but a little off topic - I have an M1 Garand (sp) and I worry someone will soon want to take that.

It's not been a good week.

[Captain Neon]

Before becoming President he tooled around Little Rock in his 65 Mustang. Pretty sure he still owns it and is probably tooling around New York in it now. Regardless of how anyone feels about him while he was President' date=' he's still an old car lover. [/quote']

I actually lived in Arkansas for a few years. The above mentioned Mustang was only a parade vehicle that Bill purchased from his brother. The Mustang in question was setting at a car museum in Arkansas, and it was a piece of juncque plain jane 6 cylinder Mustang convertible. It was a campaign tool, and by looking at it, it was obvious that it had been driven hard and was not the cherished possession of an old car lover. It may be in the Clinton Library now.

At this point in the game, it matters not who sets in the White House. Vehicle emissions laws are still a local and state government issue. The EPA may mandate emissions levels, but it still the purview of local governments how those levels are reached.

I'll sleep no less soundly with Obama in the White House than I did with George W. Bush. McCain was no better in my opinion.

[Captain Neon]

Not only do we have to worry about our cars but a little off topic - I have an M1 Garand (sp) and I worry someone will soon want to take that.

When they come for my SKS, I will give it to them bullets first.

[James_Douglas]

The thought that the feds won't mess with our cars as being to low on the priority pole does not hold up under scrutiny.

Current history tends to support my conclusions.

Any new head of the federal EPA and public health agencies

will not be focused on wall street, main street, or Iraq.

They will however be looking at pollution sources with a

very different world view than the folks they are replacing.

The current EPA managers moved last spring, only by court

order in response to a law suit, to set a new limit on

airborne lead. Now 100LL (Low lead) in aviation gasoline is

in the cross hairs to be replaced.

The problem is that there is no replacement. One of the

main parties who brought the lawsuit that forced the EPA

mangers to act...when confronted with the issue of

replacement fuel stated that:

''With the phase-out of leaded aviation fuel on the

regulatory horizon, older aircraft models that are unable to

process unleaded fuel should be grounded...''

These same folks are the ones pushing for tighter standards

on all mobile pollution sources.

It matters not how small of a percentage of the ''problem''

classic cars may be, I very much think in the next eight

years our cars will be in the cross hairs along with all

mobile sources like lawn mowers, blowers, and the like.

Again, if the feds tie money to compliance and big federal

infrastructure projects are in the pipeline...we may have a

tough time at the state level.

James

[claybill]

doubt if anythng at all.

bill

[Powerhouse]

ugh...there goes my stomach again.

Why can't we all just be left alone?

Take away biased politicians and criminals...not old cars or guns. If it were only that easy...

[knuckleharley]

With the mess he's inheriting from "B", I sure hope to he!! he doesn't waste a minute on anything to do with old cars!<<

Obama is Bush 3.0,the Marxist and racist version.

>>Isn't most of that state and local anyway?<<

It SHOULD be,but it isn't. The feral government dictates emissions and safety standards. A president can just sign a executive order banning all cars and trucks from the public highways that doesn't have catalytic convertors,side door beams,and airbags if he wants,and it is the law of the land unless congress can muster up enough votes to overturn it.

>> I know up here the federal gov't has little to do with laws that would affect the old car hobby.<<

That is NOT the case in the US.

>>I don't think "O" could possibly do worse than "B".<<

Yeah,and I remember thinking that after Clinton it would be impossible for this country to ever get a worse or more corrupt president,and damned if the next one in line didn't prove me wrong.

[steveplym]

Obama is talking about getting Robert F. Kennedy to head up the EPA. That is scary.

[Frank Elder]

Politicals or criminals, both want your money for doing nothing.

The only difference is that pols don't go to prison as readily.

[Captain Neon]

Actually, I don't think either of the majour parties and the people they elect could really care about us as antique car enthusiasts. We are an easy scapegoat. In all actuality, I am no more vigilant or less so, just because Barack Obama is in the White House, Nancy Pelosi is Speaker of the House, Joe Biden Senate President, or Harry Reid is Senate Majourity Leader. Until we start electing and supporting representatives that are willing to be a pain in the neck about individual liberties and personal property rights, voting for Republicans or Democrats will not protect our cars from those that wish us ill-will. There is really little to no difference between the majour political parties in these united States.

Until we have elected officials with the courage and wisdom of Davy Crockett and Thomas Jefferson, we are pretty much screwed. The best we can hope for is that we as individuals project a positive image about ourselves and our hobby so that the local government chooses to leave us alone because we are good guys rather than zeroing in on us because we are jerks.

Not Yours to Give http://www.pointsouth.com/csanet/greatmen/crockett/crocket2.htm

[steveplym]

I hope you're right. I think it would leave somewhat of a hole in my life if there were not more old cars around to tinker with. We'll see what the future holds and now can only pray and hope for the best on all issues affecting us.