http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/05/con...y.ap/index.html I think the bad news is that big business still has influence in this legislation: Detroit made the Democrats back off of fuel efficiency for the moment, Rep. Ralph Hall of Texas is fighting for the oil companies, and Bush may veto for similar reasons, but the good news is that legislators are finally starting to put up a bit of a fight.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boulder Bum @ Aug 6 2007, 10:56 PM) [snapback]491662[/snapback]</div> I'll be surprised if the measure is 'ever' signed into law - unless gas lines start to be commonplace. Americans will tolerate ever increasing gas prices, but we won't tolerate not being able to fill up our cars on demand. If and likely when that happens, Americans will then start screaming for alternatives. As for Global Warming, until the effects are both obvious and felt directly. Then Americans won't be interested in doing anything of substance.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boulder Bum @ Aug 6 2007, 08:56 PM) [snapback]491662[/snapback]</div> I think it would more correctly stated that the democrats lack the spine to follow through. Detroit didn't "make" the democrats do anything. I think it is good to see some legislation that has some decent points. Improving efficiency is a national security issue and it's really pathetic that more republicans won't play that angle. It won't matter though, US auto Mfgs will have to increase their efficiency or they'll just become niche car makers for small markets (delivery trucks and the like). They're getting killed domestically and I would bet that that's largely due to the fact that their vehicles are not efficient. The sad thing is that the executives probably don't give a rats arse (except maybe Bill Ford). They're set for life anyways. It's the l'il guys that'll get screwed.
