Residual Forces

I just faxed this off to my US Representative Michele Bachmann’s DC office. (MN 6)

TO: Congresswoman Michele Bachmann MN 6
We Minnesotans don’t just drive to and from work, we live complex lives that require flexible vehicles.

I’m sitting here looking at my small business’s fleet of vehicles, and I am very worried. None of them would be capable of meeting the CAFE Mandates that HF1506 sets. Worse than that, is if they did meet the proposed Government efficiency requirements, they would not meet our work requirements.

CAFE standards are devastating to productivity. You can’t have a work truck is capable of towing and hauling equipment that gets the MPG proposed by HF1506. As a business owner, I implore you to oppose HF1506 and support HF 2927. Work vehicles need to be treated separate from passenger cars.

Now, as a Minnesotan, I am demanding that you oppose HF1506 and support HF2927 for even more important reasons, our uniquely Minnesotan way of life. The number one thing that sets Minnesota and the Upper Midwest apart from the rest of the nation is our environment and how we interact with it. We have cold blistering snowy winters, and long hot summers. As such, our lifestyles have adapted and we buy vehicles are engineered to take advantage the seasons.

We snowmobile and ski or snowboard in the winter, and a Prius just isn’t going to cut it. They can’t tow snowmobiles and downhill skis don’t fit inside them. We need our trucks and SUVs to both navigate our icy winter wonderland, and to recreate the way we Minnesotans do.

In the summer we enjoy our 10,000 plus lakes. Once again, we find ourselves towing toys (like boats, jetskis, and ATVs) with us to enjoy the unique nature God gave us. We need vehicles that can haul heavy loads, and tow big trailers. As a larger truck owner, I am also #1 on most people’s list when they need to move or pick up a new couch and such. This is something that is just not possible should HF1506 pass and force automakers to stop making the vehicles people like me buy.

Then there is the idea that we Minnesotans are also entrepreneurs in our home repairs. We are a do it yourself society. Home Depots, Menards, and Lowes flood the horizon here. Why? Because we take care of our own homes and yards ourselves. To do that we have trucks and SUVs capable of carrying sheetrock, a new lawnmower, landscaping supplies, or new home decors. Those of us who don’t hire people who do have one of the very vehicles being targeted for extinction by HF1506.

I’m unwilling to give up the uniquely Minnesotan way of life just because Washington says I have to. I like the way I live. I like owning a truck that can do whatever it is that I need to for work, for play, or for friends. We Minnesotans don’t just drive to and from work, we live complex lives that require flexible vehicles. Please don’t take away my chance to be uniquely Minnesotan.

Oppose HF1506, support HF2927 as a cosponsor.

Sincerely,
Andy Aplikowski - Blaine, MN - ###

The Senate Energy bill makes no distinction between trucks and passenger cars.

Seriously folks, how many plumbers driving Prius’ will it take to unclog your backed up sewer?

Environmental laws are going to destroy this great country of ours, if we let the mental environutters write the laws.

Call your legislator and demand that they oppose HF 1506.

You can find a list of all the member of the US House here.

They will have to pry the steering wheel of my truck from my cold dead hands!