It makes perfect sense. This is Bush's Amurica.

Bareit: It makes perfect sense. This is Bush's Amurica.

The law providing the SUV tax credit was passed in 1996.

Cyberluddite:

. . . and extended and greatly expanded under Bush's tax package a couple of years ago.

Nope.

"The size of the tax break has been growing under a schedule that became law in 1996. That's when Congress changed tax law to encourage business investment."

that credit was meant for small businesses and farmers. It was so poorly written that anyone could get it.

Wasn't that "loophole" fixed after it expired? or that part won't be renewed?

While all you pasty farkers driving Priuses might not understand, the tax break allows for farmers, small business owners and independent contractors to get a break.

Anything over 8k lbs (Full size pickup trucks, suburbans, escalades, H2) can be deducted if you are an independent contractor. The purpose of the break was to allow farmers tax breaks so they could buy full size American Trucks (which were thing over 8k lbs in 96, except for the Suburban). It was also supposed to help the guy who runs an electrician business or something and needs a big truck to do his work. The problem is that "independent contractors" have such a broad meaning that people like fine tailors or Attorneys who work for themselves can also get the break.

1. For large trucks (& full sized SUVs) it is a tax deduction, not a tax credit.

2. For Hybrid cars you get a credit, and it is being raised under the new energy bill to $3,500.

They are two distinctly different things. The Beeb got it wrong.

Also, the only difference in the large truck deduction and any other car that is used for business is that the large truck can be depreciated all at once, whereas other cars must be depreciated over their useful life.

Nonetheless, owning a hummer is no longer a sign of status. It's a sign you're a complete asshat.

A double-parked Hummer is a sign you need therapy.

A quadruple parked hummer is a sign that you need to go buy a new car, because someone just set yours on fire.

When I see something like this, I get the urge to let the air out of its tires.

HeadbangerSmurf

Why limit yourself to an Armada?

Am I the only one to see that they claim the H2 is based on the military version? Last time I checked, it was still the desiel powered H1 that was the civilian version.

However, I do have to agree with "Everybody here claims to be more environmentally aware but really they're more hypocritical because the people that give me trouble about the Hummer are driving Range Rovers, Excursions and Suburbans, which drive 15-20 miles per gallon."

/Driving an ;04 Hyundai Elantra.. 29/32 on regular, it's all I need

Awww, f650.com blew up! Here's another ostentatious display of petroleum gluttony.

I love how people talk about legislation that they obviously know nothing about.

The original provision originated in the 1970s, but was radically expanded in Jobs and Growth Act of 2003, which raised the deduction ceiling from $25,000 to $100,000, bumped the "bonus deduction" from 30 percent to 50 percent, and left in place the accelerated five-year depreciation schedule. This made nearly all "business SUVs" fully deductible in the first year. The 1996 law was just a bump in the scheduled amount allowable (up to 17.5k which had been happening since the 70s). It was the quadrupling in 2003 that really kicked it into high gear. It was specifically part of Bush's "economic stimulus" package.

They tried to dial it back in the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (down to the 25k level), but you can still get most SUVs to qualify with some tricks (plus take a bunch of depreciation).

I love it... While they're paying big, big bucks to fill their whale with gas, I usually pay about $25 (cdn) to travel about 500km...

It's ok hummer owners, I _do_ pity you :P

N.

Last Updated: Tuesday, 1 June, 2004, 09:30 GMT 10:30 UK

Old news nothing to see here

I always wondered what it was like to have no energy policy.

can't everyone just drive golf tdi's?

inkswamp: I always wondered what it was like to have no energy policy.

What are you talking about? America has an energy policy!

Of course, it seems to have been created by bizarro politicians from an evil alternate universe where everyone has a goatee. But damnit, we do have a policy.

Calm down, everyone.

The amount of our PFD here in Alaska is partially related to the price of oil. The fact that we pay no state taxes is also related.

To keep it simple, please buy Hummers, Canyoneros, Exhibitions, etc. and drive them as much as possible. Drive them 2 blocks to get a quart of ice cream, and try to impress everyone with the noise they make when you floor it. Just watch out for me as I walk, or ride my bike.

Thank you.

International CXT owns all

I wonder all the time why so many people are adamant that it's okay to consume additional gas needlessly as a major energy crisis is developing, as long as they can afford it and it makes them feel better about their lives. Do they need a mobile fortress to feel safe? Is impressing people that important? Also, the entire phenomenon of people buying off-road vehicles that will never leave asphalt baffles me.

Just buy a BMW or a Benz, they are way nicer and most get much better mileage.

I gotta believe that in the near future, the people buying SUV's and Hummers today will be recalled with much disbelief and scorn; basically the same way we currently view the morons who killed off the Buffalo because shooting them was easy and fun. Damn Buffalkill family.

I've never really understood all the hatred people have against SUVs and in particular Hummers. Yeah, they use up a lot of gasoline, so what? It's not like they're stealing gasoline that you paid for, they paid for their own gasoline. It's a strawman argument. Whatever impact hummers have on the amount of oil being used is completely negligible to world supplies, especially compared to airliners, cruise ships, and military vehicles. Somebody who drives an older car on a road trip every year that puts several thousand miles on it uses up a lot more gasoline than somebody who just cruises around on their hummer to work and back.

The only logical argument that anybody could have against hummers and SUVs in general is that it is hard to see around them and the drivers of these vehicles have reduced visibility behind them and thus are more likely to back into you, but these exact same arguments can be applied to minivans, vans, and some trucks. It seems to me that environmentalists just arbitrarily picked a target of their seething rage.

And if anyone wants to bring up the whole "compensating for a small penis" argument, what's wrong with having a small penis? It's not like it's their fault for being born with a below-average penis length, and the argument doesn't apply at all to women who buy such vehicles as well.

(just to qualify, I didn't write that last sentence because my penis is small, it is actually a fine specimen of the male genitalia, I'm just saying)

Wow, I always wondered why people still bought hummers. Originally, I could totally understand it - they looked military and badass. Then on the later models, all that styling was changed and they just looked big and stupid.
Still - big is good right? But then vehicle reviews were saying that hummers were actually less spacious and more cramped on the inside than much smaller vehicles with half the price tag. So, uh, what's left? Why would people still buy overpriced underperforming cramped and ugly-stupid looking vehicles?!

guy I know, a lawyer for Chrissake, not a farmer, contractor, or store owner, bought himself a Hummer last year. He did it because his accountant told him that it would essentially be free, because the tax break he would get would pay for the thing.

This basically explains it. I feel less confused now. Thanks :)

ill laugh when gas prices skyrocket to idk... $10 a gallon... i hear some places have it at around there... n the US has gas cheaper than actual value... besides that im on oahu who the hell needs a hummer in the city?? u cant find parking... ever...

Bonzo_1116: Awww, f650.com blew up! Here's another ostentatious display of petroleum gluttony.

That's a pretty cool looking truck. Cummins?

that h2 getting owned by a 6 inch rock while "off roading" is pure funnyStuff(tm).

just google KilledIT.wmv and you'll eventually find it. it's about 6mb.

h2's can't even hop a curb at 40mph without ganking the front end, there's a shop near me that delivers parts to the dealer for these "things", they have all the stories.

cop cars are built to take a curb at 40. yea. a car.

UGLY car. Get a jeep, pathfinder, or H1 for offroading.

But driving the streets of LA? Every time I see a leering slimeball pull up in the lane next to me in that shiny monstrosity I'm tempted to smile back and casually yell, "So how small is it?!?"

"When I see something like this, I get the urge to let the air out of its tires."

I'm not sure about the widespread commercial hummers, but the hummers they use on some of the coalmines in my area reinflate their flat tires when you start them.

I wonder all the time why so many people are adamant that it's okay to consume additional gas needlessly as a major energy crisis is developing, as long as they can afford it and it makes them feel better about their lives. Do they need a mobile fortress to feel safe? Is impressing people that important? Also, the entire phenomenon of people buying off-road vehicles that will never leave asphalt baffles me.

Logic vs. Emotional impulse

The quality of life is far to high in America... As the quality of life increases, logic apparently decrease...

How else would you explain:
-vote for Bush (ignore logic)
-drive around giant SUV's (ignore logic)
-environmental regulation (ignore logic)

But no need to fear... this problem is self-correcting... And it is going to be brutal on the people living in this fairy tale.

Neurochemist
Aside from all the the other issues, I just can't understanding willingly contributing more than you have to(even by a little bit)to the growth of the most major economic problem since the Indrustrial Revolution.

Just like everyone hates seeing litter, but most people toss something out the car window at once in a while, like "It's only a problem when everyone does it, so just me is fine."

I've never really understood all the hatred people have against SUVs and in particular Hummers. Yeah, they use up a lot of gasoline, so what? It's not like they're stealing gasoline that you paid for, they paid for their own gasoline. It's a strawman argument.Whatever impact hummers have on the amount of oil being used is completely negligible to world supplies, especially compared to airliners, cruise ships, and military vehicles.Somebody who drives an older car on a road trip every year that puts several thousand miles on it uses up a lot more gasoline than somebody who just cruises around on their hummer to work and back.

They are a part of a subset of many vehicles using a disproportionate amount of gas for service rendered. The vast majority of people driving them, do so for aesthetical purpose.

These people are missing something vital (mentally) and it is not acceptable.

Eliminating inefficient vehicles = solution

But no need to fear... this problem is self-correcting... And it is going to be brutal on the people living in this fairy tale.

Uh, but it's also going to be brutal on everyone else too... :-/

I like my Hummer, but I hate it when the price of gas goes up 10 cents and it costs me another THREE FREAKING DOLLARS to fill up. Oh wait, it's only three dollars more. Yawn.... zzzzzzzzzzz.........

/Ummm, if I can afford the Hummer, I can afford the gas.
//Why do hippies hate choice when it comes to cars and schools?

Flipper the Dolphin --

We are screwed if academia doesn't figure out whatever is causing your mental handicap. Some how, you're missing the ability to comprehend foresight.

//Why do hippies hate choice when it comes to cars and schools?

Nice job conflating those two--let's keep it on topic.

Your choice of transportation has effects beyond your personal space and ability to get around. The cloud of crap hanging above the city I live in is a constant reminder of that, especially when the temperature heads north of 30.

Make whatever choice you wish--if you want to ignore the well-founded advice and warnings of many people, don't be surprised if they consider you a selfish arse and treat you as such. Do unto others...

Every single person I've met who drives a Hummer has been a worthless asshole who needed a good shooting. Just saying.

Every single person I've met who takes illegal drugs has been a worthless asshole who needed a good shooting. Just saying.

Every single person I've met who supports killing little babies has been a worthless asshole who needed a good shooting. Just saying.

Every single person I've met who hates America has been a worthless asshole who needed a good shooting. Just saying.

Gee. This game is fun. And pointless.

/Got to run. Meeting my family at the mountain cabin and unfortunately the roads will be packed by people who can't afford gas.

Eventually only Flipper the Dolphin will be able to afford gas, and he'll have the roads all to himself until he loses his H2 to a shrieking mob a la War of the Worlds.

I like my Hummer, but I hate it when the price of gas goes up 10 cents and it costs me another THREE FREAKING DOLLARS to fill up. Oh wait, it's only three dollars more. Yawn.... zzzzzzzzzzz.........

/Ummm, if I can afford the Hummer, I can afford the gas.
//Why do hippies hate choice when it comes to cars and schools?

OK, let's say I want to join NAMBLA.

What? What's your problem? Don't you think choice is a good thing?

/moran

Yes, I know one implies illegal behavior, and one doesn't. BFD. You have to be a spectacular retard to think this is about "hating choice."

Oh, BTW, the reason I think you're an idiot is because I don't like Flipper.

/hey, it's just as logical

Oooh, crazed maddened mobs...

Why don't I hear the anti-SUV crowd ranting and raving about the amount of gasoline the military uses up? Do you know how much fuel a B-52, with engines made in the 1960s, uses up in just one flight? Do you know what kind of gas mileage an 80 ton tank gets?

Or how about Cruise ships and Cargo vessels? Those things eat up oil like you wouldn't believe. It seems to me that people are just playa-hatin, to coin a phrase. Trust me people, there are a lot worse things to get worked up about than a non-fuel efficient vehicle.

Flipper the Dolphin-

Somehow I think you'll be among the first to start whining when there is no more gas to power your shiny Hummer, and when the smog outside your door makes it impossible to get to work.