Quote:
Originally Posted by TheJDMan
This statement is completely unfair and false. The EPA is made up of ordinary people just like you and I, both Democrats and Republicans, who work a job, pay a mortgage and have families. The EPA has no interest in eliminating any form of racing. The EPA is focused solely on reducing emission sources and in that respect they have done an outstanding job. Today we have clean air to breath and clean water in our lakes and streams to drink.
Our problem as car enthusiasts is that we don't want them in our play ground messing with our toys. So the issue we need to focus on is not bashing the EPA, but working on solutions for stopping additional regulations from becoming law which will ultimately kill the aftermarket manufacturers.
To be perfectly honest, I happen to like clean air and water. The problem is I also like racing and racecars. So I have a conflict of interest that I have to deal with. Because of this conflict, would like to see a dialog started between SEMA and EPA on possible alternatives to just a blanket law that you must have factory certified emissions equipment installed. I would like to see an alternate procedure in place whereby any aftermarket engine builder would be allowed to simply pass an emissions sniff test and have the engine be certified legal. Given the state of modern technology, computer machining processes and EFI, I don't think it would be unreasonable to be able to build an engine that could pass emissions tests without the arbitrary need for emissions hardware hanging on it.
Join SEMA Action Network today!
http://semasan.com |
Completely unfair and false? Not really. Kind of harsh though.
I to like clean air, water, etc. I also share your desire to see a balanced and fair way of achieving goals that satisfy all parties. Sadly that's not reality. Not everyone thinks like that. There are those that look at cars like yours and mine and see them as evil. Doesn't matter than you've replaced that old engine with a modern one and have reduced the emission output, increased the MPG, improved the safety and lowered the carbon foot print....all things they want. We are seen as loud, wild and unruly. You are the enemy, evil and the source of the problem in their mind. I will never forget being in NORCAL and seeing the stereotypical Birkenstock wearing, tree huger who is driving a beat up VW bug. The back end of the car was covered with "SAVE THE _____" stickers. The truly funny part was that this car was blowing black exhaust, the brakes sounded like metal on metal, and it was rusty beyond belief. This is the type of person that doesn't like you or your Camaro and fights to have it illuminated. This person is lobbying, backing and the type that gravitates towards a job in the EPA. It's a good cause kind of thing.
When have we ever seen the government pass laws that are fair for everyone, don't negatively impact the end users (you and I) or industry unfairly? That just doesn't happen. Take the hot topics of Guns and Gay Marriage for an example. What does happen is extremely restrictive laws are passed that go far beyond what's needed. Then those laws have to be challenged and fought to gain back some of what was lost.
I look at it like this. If I wanted to crush something in America that I didn't like, the easy way would be to create laws that where like an iron cap that cut off any and all means. Then I'd sit back back and fend off attacks. I've already won and even if some or part of what I accomplished is reversed...the negatives have all ready done damage.
The reality is that the EPA is a government agency that does what it's told to do. It is also made up of people (not all) who have selfish motives of one type or another (this is everywhere) and people who need to justify their jobs/reason for being. This isn't just an EPA or even government thing. It's a people thing.
Guys like you and I who want balance, have to fight these things in a harsh way. If we put an iron cap on the subject, we control what happens.
With Respect Brother!
