Batman saves Cash for Clunkers

Photo: AP /Paul Sancya

So this article is actually more deceptive than the headline suggests but allows me to give an explanation.  As I was watching Batman Begins for, well, I have no idea how many times I have watched it, I noticed that Batman likes to drive his vehicle without regard for the other cars on the road.  This really got me thinking, which I will get to later in this article.  Before I go further, let me state that I am by no means a film critic and should not be taken seriously in that respect.

As many may have heard, $3 billion has been spent by the government to encourage car owners with older, low mileage vehicles, to trade in for more fuel efficient cars with up to $4500 in discount.  It appears that the planning for this, like most legislation of the Obama era, has been significantly flawed and not carefully crafted with regard to consequences.  Regardless, the program ended on August 20 with too many wanting to upgrade their automobiles in another attempt to help the economy.  Many claim this to be a success and as many did find themselves purchasing a new car for a discounted rate, I offer gratitude for a program that saw immediate action and results.  However, the money allotted for the program ran out, twice, leaving many to not take advantage.  It is also important to note that these “clunkers” were sent to the demolition yard and subject to a mechanical procedure to make the car worthless.  This eliminates any possible resale opportunity or even use of spare parts for people still owning these environment destroyers.

This leads to the point of the article.  In many movies, cars are destroyed or used in one way or another.  Now, I admit to not knowing, or care to know, Hollywood’s policies in purchasing vehicles and what is done with the car after the film hits the theaters.  But with actors and the other elite of Hollywood supporting President Obama and his legendary campaign, it is time for them to be part of the team.  Hollywood could finance the Cash for Clunkers program.  Instead of destroying cars to make them unusable, Hollywood could buy them for use in an upcoming film.  This would allow production companies to pay the government tab of $4500 a car, rather than our taxpayer dollars.  After the car gets destroyed, it can then be taken through the normal destruction procedures in efforts to save the environment.

This solution has no downside.  Hollywood supports President Obama regardless of what he does.  Hollywood supports the environment.  People want new cars.  People do not want the government to spend money on things they will not take advantage of.  Hollywood picks up the tab.

Now, the real question is: can Hollywood afford this?  With as much as it cost me to take my wife to Transformers 2, I most certainly hope so.  I also hope readers will note the subtle sarcasm in the last sentence.