Watch CBS News

What Other Industry Deserves a Cash for Clunkers Deal?

Uncle Sam allocated another billion we don't even have (thanks China!), so that Americans could get up to $4,500 to trade in their "clunker" for a more fuel-efficient car. The program was so popular that the cash was used up in less than a week. So now the House has approved an additional two billion to extend the program, although Senate approval is no guarantee.
But Congress will likely bail out this clunker of a program. Ford's July sales are up 2.3 percent thanks to the deal. Local papers and news stations, which depend on those auto dealer dollars, aren't going to criticize the ploy. Even Alan Greenspan, despite his "qualms about the concept" is along for the ride.

Since the government seems down to throw cash at every struggling sector, I wonder which other industry is due for its own "cash for clunkers" deal. Here are a few possibilities:

  • Personal Computers: Intel, Hewlett-Packard and Dell have suffered as businesses wait to order new machines. But Windows 7 hits the market in October. So all those PCs that run on Vista should soon qualify as clunkers too, right?
  • Newspapers: Printed media is bad for the environment. Why not let Americans trade in their newsprint subscriptions for government-subsidized Kindles?
  • Real Estate: Seriously, people are actually talking about a cash for clunkers-type deal for the real estate sector. Under one proposal, the government would extend its $8000 first-time homebuyer rebate to anyone looking to buy a new home.
Where does the cash for clunkers craze stop? Join the discussion below.
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.