it's pretty universally considered that most of the "clunkers" cars sales are just cannibalizing future sales. A sleigh of hand trick to boost Q3 sales, which will lead to a double-dip in Q4-Q1 2010.
just like the rest of the "stimulus" the effect is do you want it to hurt more now or later? clearly this administration goes for "later".. it's like trying to fix a heart attack with a band-aid.

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Человек, который почувствовал ветер перемен, должен построить не щит от ветра, а ветряную мельницу