Associated Press:
  • Hundreds of auto dealers in the New York area have withdrawn from the government's Cash for Clunkers program, citing delays in getting reimbursed by the government, a dealership group said Wednesday.

    The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, which represents dealerships in the New York metro area, said about half its 425 members have left the program because they cannot afford to offer more rebates. They're also worried about getting repaid.


The profit margin for dealers on new car sales is actually pretty slim to begin with. So the government basically forcing them to give Uncle Sam millions in interest free loans only lowers that margin.

Way to save the US auto industry there, Mr. President.

And, as an aside, doesn't this tend to prove that government run health care would lead to delays and shortages? The federal government can't even send out checks for cars in a timely manner under a short-term program that affects a small percentage of the population. Why should we assume they could timely reimburse or approve medical costs for a nationalized health care system?