We're astonished how quickly lobbyists fouled up a good idea: Excerpts from Handouts for Hummers

By DIANNE FEINSTEIN and SUSAN COLLINS

"It's amazing how quickly a good idea can go bad in Washington. In January, we joined with Sen. Charles Schumer to introduce a bill that would allow Americans to trade in gas-guzzling cars in exchange for vouchers worth up to $4,500 toward the purchase of vehicles with greatly improved fuel economy. This legislation was modeled after programs in California and Texas that improved fuel efficiency, reduced pollution, and stimulated auto sales.....


The truth is, the House bill and its Senate counterpart are another big bailout. These bills are expertly designed to provide Detroit one last windfall in selling off gas guzzlers currently sitting on dealer lots because they're not a smart buy.


The bottom line is that fuel-efficient vehicles should be the main focus of any 'Cash for Clunkers' bill. So Americans need to make their voices heard, before Congress spends billions of dollars to put more gas guzzlers on the road at the behest of the auto industry. Our approach is good for both the economy and the environment."

Read more at Handouts for Hummers - WSJ.com