Australia (a socialist country) had a private Japanese engineering firm build their tunnel under the Sydney harbour ... knowing that gov't cannot run anything well (Solyndra anyone). If there is a need, there will be a solution. Yes, the bridges would have tolls, but the overall cost would be far less ... and the people paying for these items would be the people using them, not the taxPayers. Here in NC I get the joy of paying for roads I am not allowed to drive on (roads for private clubs of UNC alums for instance). Do you believe that without gov't the world would stop? People would not cure diseases, people coult not drive. I believe you've spent too much time in the gov't classroom. Please point out a well run gov't business (and if you are willing to avoid details and find one ... I'll find you at least 10 horribly run gov't businesses). Gov't is not the answer ... not now, not then. Here in the US, our founding fathers told us this ... too many people did not believe how right they were.
There is no competition to the Volt. It is totally unique for its price range. No other car in its price range gives you the option of electric or gas energy source. i own one and have driven over 11000 miles. Most of the time it is in electric mode, but when the battery runs out, it transparently switches to gas with its built in generator. (i've used less than 1 gallon per 300 miles driven so far in the Chicago area.)
I want to support your level-headed and logical comment. Your response is 100% rational with 0% political posturing to any agenda. Yet, some other hot-headed extremist plucked you with a "single-star" rating. 'Cripes ,,, someone needs a nap!
"If the government can waste money there then it is OK to waste money here." So sure, a few billion dumped into GM to produce something that won't sell is not very important when compared to trillions of debt being piled up each quarter.
C'mon now...you lot would not have your roadways, bridges, railways or airports if the taxpayers money hadn't been anted up to begin with. Nobody but nobody in the private sector would have put up the risk capital to accomplish that which everybody takes for granted today..so also with the Chevy Volt...who knows but some of the contractual agreement between the Feds and GM was to develop and market an electric car...it's going to happen anyway so, 25 years down the road it'll all be OK, and everyone will be wondering what all the fuss was about.
I would say no, generally. But then I don't have to live in So Cal stuck between mountians and winds that trap the city emmisions. I have seen the effects of their particular situation and can empathize somewhat.
However, I have not seen that else where in the US or developed countries (third world is just nasty in general). I beleieve that the earth is not nearly as fragile as people believe. The emmisions of personal conveyances is usually disbursed in the atmosphere to neglgible levels in short periods of time.
I would like to have that 40mpg truck too, but it isn't because my car goes fast that I don't. The two are not mutually exclusive. I don't see your point.
The auto companies may be responding to performance demand that emphasizes power above mileage. But I believe if the demand were there for mpg over power, they would respond in kind. I just don't like the feds getting involved in what is essentually a private transaction.
I don't deny that Gov't meddling is wrong in many cases, but how about all the tax dollars spent protecting oil interests overseas? I think that far outweighs some tax credits given to buyers of some low-emissions vehicles.
As energy efficiency becomes more and more a concern for makers of electronics devices, researchers are coming up with new ways to harvest energy from sound vibration, footsteps, and even electromagnetic fields in the air.
The government wants to study your brain, and DARPA wants to use similar information to give robots true autonomy beyond any artificial intelligence developed to date. Sound like science fiction? It's not.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
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A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
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