Free Republic

A website launched Friday with the backing of technology industry and Hollywood elite urges people worldwide to help craft a framework for harmony between all religions. The Charter for Compassion project on the Internet at www.charterforcompassion.org springs from a "wish" granted this year to religious scholar Karen Armstrong at a premier Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) conference in California. "Tedizens" include Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin along with other Internet icons as well as celebrities such as Forest Whittaker and Cameron Diaz. Wishes granted at TED envision ways to better the world and come with a promise that...

the list of all 690,114 trade-ins.

This is hilarious: But many of those cashing in on the clunkers program are surprised when they get to the treasurer's office windows. That's because the government's rebate of up to $4500 dollars for every clunker is taxable. "They didn't realize that would be taxable. A lot of people don't realize that. So they're not happy and kind of surprised when they find that out," Nelson said. The amusement here is how most (if not all) states compute sales tax (charged when you register the vehicle.) When you buy a new car you pay tax on the difference between the...

Lawmakers pass an extension of the popular program aimed at boosting auto sales. By Jennifer Liberto and Ben Rooney, CNNMoney.com staff writers Last Updated: August 6, 2009: 8:21 PM ETWASHINGTON (CNNMoney.com) -- The Senate voted 60-37 passing a $2 billion extension of the popular Cash for Clunkers program Thursday evening, as lawmakers rushed to finish business before their August recess. The House had already voted to extend the program, which blew through its $1 billion in initial funding, before it adjourned for the summer last Friday."Thank you so much for allowing this important stimulus to continue throughout the month of August,"...

Economists can argue back and forth in the media about the effect of big government programs such as the stimulus package and Obamacare but few things have illustrated government waste as effectively as this disturbing YouTube video in which a well running Volvo engine was destroyed as part of the Cash for Clunkers program. This video is currently going viral on the Web and has sparked outraged comments from many people whom I suspect have previously remained somewhat uninterested in the often elusive topic of economics. However, the wasteful destruction of this car seems to have awakened an economic sense...

Cash for Clunkers is a success! Obama said so! Our economy is on the quick road to recovery, right? Switch back to reality. The U.S. economy is like a small flame on a campfire, flickering and striving to light up the dark. The U.S. Congress, in its 'wisdom,' is not addressing the fundamentals of the economy. No, they are not conscientiously building up the woodpile underneath the flame to make it a roaring fire and strong economy. Sad to say, they are merely throwing gasoline on the flame, hoping that it will ignite the economy's recovery. ...Lest we forget, the...

Let’s have a $4,500 subsidy for everything. Americans are streaming back into auto showrooms, and one reason is the “cash for clunkers” subsidy. Democrats are naturally claiming this is a great success, while Republicans are claiming that because the program has run out of clunker cash so quickly, this proves government can’t run the health-care system. How do we elect these people? What the clunker policy really proves is that Americans aren’t stupid and will let some other taxpayer buy them a free lunch if given the chance. The buying spree is good for the car companies, if only for...