'Dollars for Dishwashers' next stimulus program after 'Clunkers'

[orangetaffy]

"The appliance program, dubbed "Dollars for Dishwashers" will provide rebates for the purchase of new appliances with the Energy Star rating. The efficiency of Energy Star appliances is certified by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency."

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=20090824_298_0_Asthes377573

[worried]

This is hillarious! And they only set aside $300 million for this humdinger? Well, then again, OB just added another 2 trillion to his budget. Here I thought Bush was the big spender. After all, that is what the dems told us.

[orangetaffy]

This is hillarious! And they only set aside $300 million for this humdinger? Well, then again, OB just added another 2 trillion to his budget. Here I thought Bush was the big spender. After all, that is what the dems told us.

I feel like I am watching a game show...waiting to see what the next prize is going to be.

[orangetaffy]

Taffy, did you read the comments at your link? Some of them are hilarious.

Like, 'I'm waiting for cash for my old makeup mirror' or a guy who needed a new lawn mower wanted 'Money for Mulchers' and can openers, sewing machines, and toaster ovens also made the list. :laugh:

Yes, I read them.

Kind of sad though, there seems to be cash for clunkers, dollars for dishwashers, bailouts for auto makers, bailouts for banks, yet many senior citizens will actually lose income because no COLA for the next 2 years.

[worried]

I feel like I am watching a game show...waiting to see what the next prize is going to be.

ROFL! How about a "cash for votes" program? Oh, I forgot, the dems used that in the last election.

[momof6]

stptheracket: I don't know where you live, but where I live, you can breathe the air, swim and fish in the lakes, creeks and streams, and we have plenty of food for the humans and "gasp" for the animals too.

The only problems we have in my neck of the woods is when all the environmentalist think they know how to take care of the land and they go and mess it up. Never mind that it usually cost them millions of tax payers dollars before they find out that what they tried to do didn't work and lo and behold they go back to the old way of taking care of the land. For example right now in California there is a 3 inch fish that needs the water more than the olive growers, so the farmers cannot touch the water, so their crops are dying for lack of water.

[PoppySeeds]

Yes, I read them.

Kind of sad though, there seems to be cash for clunkers, dollars for dishwashers, bailouts for auto makers, bailouts for banks, yet many senior citizens will actually lose income because no COLA for the next 2 years.


Personally, I'm waiting for "Cash for platform sandles" so I can get rid of all those awful shoes in my daughter's closet.

[worried]

stptheracket: I don't know where you live, but where I live, you can breathe the air, swim and fish in the lakes, creeks and streams, and we have plenty of food for the humans and "gasp" for the animals too.

The only problems we have in my neck of the woods is when all the environmentalist think they know how to take care of the land and they go and mess it up. Never mind that it usually cost them millions of tax payers dollars before they find out that what they tried to do didn't work and lo and behold they go back to the old way of taking care of the land. For example right now in California there is a 3 inch fish that needs the water more than the olive growers, so the farmers cannot touch the water, so their crops are dying for lack of water.

I don't know what part of California you live in, but I am here in San Diego. The environmentalists fixed it so that we cannot do any burns anymore to keep back the chaparral. What was the outcome of this great plan? Thousands of acres and hundreds of homes burned to the ground several years ago. Of course this does not include the loss of human life, animal life and all those wonderful plants that the environmentalists were so concerned about. We have had to evacuate twice in 5 years.

[February]

I don't know what part of California you live in, but I am here in San Diego. The environmentalists fixed it so that we cannot do any burns anymore to keep back the chaparral. What was the outcome of this great plan? Thousands of acres and hundreds of homes burned to the ground several years ago. Of course this does not include the loss of human life, animal life and all those wonderful plants that the environmentalists were so concerned about. We have had to evacuate twice in 5 years.


I agree with momof6. I'm in Northern CA - The Bay area - and things are really pretty good here.
My son lives in San Diego and he often complains about the air quality.
I'm really sorry about the evacuations, but sometimes when you live in a nice place things like that happen.
Floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, blizzards, fires. tornadoes. What's a person to do?

[theal3]

Make fun all you want, but new technology for USA made steel is hungry for all that OLD stuff including cars, refrig.; stove etc. We updated all like over the course of last 8 years , including heating system.... and saving lots of bucks a month on gas, electricity, cost of heating/shelter etc.

Other countries are so far ahead of us, we have few places to bury all the junk/waste etc. Why not recycle, like they are now for old puters, radios etc. Hey if a new applicance will reduce you elec. bill $10 a month, plus a new heating system even more, why not? Make fun all ya' want, about the greening of America. There is money to save and to be made. IMHO.

[theal3]

Nor do I and I think that's what has the right wing's knickers on fire. No more bail outs for the right wing rich. It's got to be gettin to 'em.

moo

Trickle down didn't work in the 80s to early 90s under Reagan/Bush, for 12 years, and didn't work under Bush Cheney for 8 years, I'm ready for trickle up. Who creates wealth for the country: the workers, not the owners, CEO's and pencil pushers. When boomers were young and eager and educated etc; they were taken advantage off, as in: there's more like you out there, workers are a dime a dozen....... those days are done..... I think the top 2% who sit around shuffling money on computers and call it work/investment need some upcomings. Just don't go to work America, and see how much they want you? Workers create the wealth. What about a fair wage for a fair day of work: don't cheat me.

[desmom]

"The appliance program, dubbed "Dollars for Dishwashers" will provide rebates for the purchase of new appliances with the Energy Star rating. The efficiency of Energy Star appliances is certified by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency."

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=20090824_298_0_Asthes377573

This sounds like an extension of the energy tax credits offered several years ago. jmo

[orangetaffy]

This sounds like an extension of the energy tax credits offered several years ago. jmo

Quite a bit. The problem with most of these programs is the people who need the items the most still can't afford to buy them. How many lower end middle class people bought new cars under cash for clunkers? How many will purchase energy saver appliances? Shoot, I would love to have new appliances, new windows etc, but the $1500.00deduction on my taxes does nothing to help me pay for these things at time of purchase. We dont use credit cards or loans to pay for such purchases, so unless the cash is there, we don't buy it, no matter how good a deal someone tries to make it out to be. We live within our means, even if that means doing without all the new technology that comes along.

[magythekat]

Nor do I and I think that's what has the right wing's knickers on fire. No more bail outs for the right wing rich. It's got to be gettin to 'em.

moo

Are you suggesting that ALL rich people are right wing?? what a joke that is...guess you've never heard of George Soros, Buffet...etc. Those are some of the rich that are totally ruining the Democratic party. People really like to refer to the "right wing rich"...why don't you ever hear anything about the "left wing rich"? Well, heck, I guess it just depends on what your party affiliation is, right? Furthermore, do you honestly think that all the big bailouts were only Repubs, in all those banking and car manufacturers etc? Where the heck are you getting your erroneous information?:ohmy:

[desmom]

Quite a bit. The problem with most of these programs is the people who need the items the most still can't afford to buy them. How many lower end middle class people bought new cars under cash for clunkers? How many will purchase energy saver appliances? Shoot, I would love to have new appliances, new windows etc, but the $1500.00deduction on my taxes does nothing to help me pay for these things at time of purchase. We dont use credit cards or loans to pay for such purchases, so unless the cash is there, we don't buy it, no matter how good a deal someone tries to make it out to be. We live within our means, even if that means doing without all the new technology that comes along.

I don't consider it a problem with the program. I consider it a problem with the purchasers that do not have self-control.

Our house is 100 + years old. We have updated a little bit at a time. We pick a project, save the $$$ and then do the update. It has taken 23 years, but it we paid cash all the way.

There are a lot of things we would like to have because it is bigger, better or the latest technology. What we have works just fine and gets us through. Unless it dies or the cost of repairs is equal to or near equal to the price of a new one, we will keep what we have thank you very much.

jmo

[orangetaffy]

I don't consider it a problem with the program. I consider it a problem with the purchasers that do not have self-control.

Our house is 100 + years old. We have updated a little bit at a time. We pick a project, save the $$$ and then do the update. It has taken 23 years, but it we paid cash all the way.

There are a lot of things we would like to have because it is bigger, better or the latest technology. What we have works just fine and gets us through. Unless it dies or the cost of repairs is equal to or near equal to the price of a new one, we will keep what we have thank you very much.

jmo

I would agree...BUT, part of the new cap and trade laws will make it illegal to sell a house that has not been upgraded. Not a bad idea, unless you happen to be a family who has bought a home and need to sell it because you get transferred, have a change in financial status etc.

We have some new things, many old. We dont upgrade just to be doing it. A dishwasher wouldnt be high on our priority list at all, since there is always the option of washing by hand.

[orangetaffy]

How long is this program going to last? I just realized something! The refrigerator in my garage is 22 YEARS OLD, and the one in my kitchen is 21 YEARS OLD! Now I'm wondering = Do the new/more efficient ones work as well or will this last as long? :)

I have no idea. Ours is well over 23 years old, and still going strong.

[orangetaffy]

I think I'll just keep what I have. :) Isn't it true that you have to pay the disposal fee when buying a new refrig even if you aren't disposing of one?

Me too. Why spend money on something you already have?

[witchywoman]

I have no idea. Ours is well over 23 years old, and still going strong.


mine is a kitchen aid from the latter 60s and still going strong lol

[worried]

Nor do I and I think that's what has the right wing's knickers on fire. No more bail outs for the right wing rich. It's got to be gettin to 'em.

moo

Who exactly do you think is prospering from this? The last time I looked, the average "poor American" were renters. When you rent, you do not own any appliance to trade in. Perhaps you should re-think this. Personally, I would have preferred some sort of a vote on this. Had OB bothered to put this to a vote, I am sure that those Americans, like myself, who own property, therefore having appliances to trade in, would have much rather not use more tax dollars on more silly programs. I thought OB was concerned about balancing the budget? I forgot, he is still cleaning up Bush's mess. I guess that is why he keeps adding more trillions to his budget. What a joke!

[orangetaffy]

IMO the ones who will gain the most from this program will be the manufacturers. Very little environmental gain to be had.

Buy a new fridge, keep the old one in the garage for beer, soda etc. No environmental gain, in fact...just the opposite. Buy a new washer/dryer, give the old one to your kids, neighbors etc..or, even keep the dryer because it takes longer to dry than to wash, so having 2dryers would be a plus. Buyers will be middle to upper middle class, so no impact for the poor or lower middle class.

Bottom line is, there will be little to no environmental impact come from this "go green" push, IMO. Just another bail-out under a different name.

[theal3]

IMO the ones who will gain the most from this program will be the manufacturers. Very little environmental gain to be had.

Buy a new fridge, keep the old one in the garage for beer, soda etc. No environmental gain, in fact...just the opposite. Buy a new washer/dryer, give the old one to your kids, neighbors etc..or, even keep the dryer because it takes longer to dry than to wash, so having 2dryers would be a plus. Buyers will be middle to upper middle class, so no impact for the poor or lower middle class.

Bottom line is, there will be little to no environmental impact come from this "go green" push, IMO. Just another bail-out under a different name.

Well helping the manufactures is good, they employ people making them, selling them etc.; we clunked along with 25-30 year old appliance until the kids were on their own and we could update kitchen applicances, which is are energy efficient (my elec. bill went down $15 a month with new fridge, and convection oven on a 110 Volt. I use the 220volt stove less and less. And prev. frig. was bought in 1982 and was top of the line, for $1,200 then, the new 3 door energy efficient was about $1,200 too, 25 years later. my washer is still going strong and it's 33 years old (Whirpool)

My adult kids have their own homes and washer and dryers and frigerators and freezer etc, so our old went to the recycling dump -- and all that stuff now ends up in new USA steel making plants, that employ today's modern steel makers.

apartment owners or condo owners who want to update appliances, or hotels or motels, could benefit from such a program. I'm not rich, just frugal, probably lower middle? Retired on about $48,000 a year, but by now, no kids, house paid for, and have low utility bills, changed from oil to elec. forced air about 6 years ago: lower heating bills by $100s a year compared to oil furnace.

Recylcling is a big business now days. Especially for metals instead of putting in land fills and dumps which is a waste. Other countries are ahead of us in that area.

IMHO a big impact on the environment.

[worried]

IMO the ones who will gain the most from this program will be the manufacturers. Very little environmental gain to be had.

Buy a new fridge, keep the old one in the garage for beer, soda etc. No environmental gain, in fact...just the opposite. Buy a new washer/dryer, give the old one to your kids, neighbors etc..or, even keep the dryer because it takes longer to dry than to wash, so having 2dryers would be a plus. Buyers will be middle to upper middle class, so no impact for the poor or lower middle class.

Bottom line is, there will be little to no environmental impact come from this "go green" push, IMO. Just another bail-out under a different name.

I totally agree. Not to mention that when people put the old fridge in the garage and the new one in the house, they are using way more electricity. Refrigerators are big guzzlers energy. When all is said and done, this clever program may have the opposite effect of what OB was looking for.

[orangetaffy]

We have 2 fridges, the one we got when we were married, and the one that was in the house when we bought it. Both are older models. The stove is older, very basic, gas range. We seldom use the oven, so I wouldnt bother replacing it. Most of our meals are grilled, slow cooked, or roasted. The dishwasher is loud and clunky, but I wouldnt pay to replace it, as it isnt what I consider a necessity. Our newest appliances would be the washer and dryer, about 4 years ago. They are Fisher/Paykel. If I were replacing appliances, I would most likely buy Fisher/Paykel because I absolutley love the washer and dryer we have, and their service team is unbeatable.

From what I have read, there are no requirements to dispose of your old appliances if you purchase new. Also, I dont think apartment complexes, hotels etc are eligible.