Here's another example of the unintended consequences when the government meddles in the free market.
Quote:
"Clunkers" program slows car gifts to U.S. charities
Sun Aug 16, 2009 9:39am
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By Philip Barbara
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The popular "cash-for-clunkers" program is boosting U.S. auto sales and manufacturing but is also slashing donations to charities that rely on gifts of cars to fund social programs, charity officials say.
Volunteers of America and other charities that receive tens of thousands of cars each year said such donations have quickly fallen up to 12 percent -- and fear a 25 percent drop eventually, or over $100 million -- as owners rush to trade gas guzzlers for new fuel-efficient models while federal rebates last.
"We started seeing it right away in July" when the program began, said Jim Hartman, vice president of vehicle donations at Volunteers of America, a nationwide charity. "It varies by market, but there's been an 11 to 12 percent drop compared with last year."
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