A Sign of Decline

I didn’t think it was possible to loathe green cars any more so than I already did, but I was wrong.

For long I have hated electric vehicles because I, like all taxpayers, am forced to subsidize their purchase, to the tune of $7,500* per car (although some estimates of the taxpayers’ contribution are much, much higher). This galls me, because the only people who purchase electric cars are rich. For example, Brad Pitt bought a $100,000 luxury Tesla Roadster, and I had to help him. Of course, Mr. Pitt is super rich, so he didn’t need my help. Moreover, I’d prefer not to help him, as I have a trillion other priorities that take precedence over a movie star’s choice of car. I don’t think this arrangement is fair and, as a result, I disdain green cars. You could say that I hate the player, and I hate the game.

Now, in addition to taking my money, green cars are usurping Americans with disabilities. The photo above was sent to me on Wednesday by my colleague Christine Hall Reis. Look how close that spot is to the store! It must be a retrofitted handicap space.

*Since February, President Barack Obama has been pushing to increase the regressive taxpayer subsidy for electric vehicle purchases, from $7,500 to $10,000.