Hummer Tax Break on the Way Out (Maybe)
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto 
on 07. 3.07
It has always been a shining example of silliness that the Hummer and Escalade get a US$25,000 tax break because they are over six thousand pounds and therefore are considered suitable for the farm or construction work. "We're allowing people to buy a huge expensive gas guzzler and get a benefit that was never intended for them," [Rep. Earl] Blumenauer told ABCNEWS.com. So he has proposed legislation to close the loophole.
"The purpose initially was to help farmers but the problems grew in how it was being exploited," said Keith Ashdown, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense. "Tax credits are steroids. If you get a $25,000 tax credit for anything, you can get people to listen to Journey again."
Of course, the auto makers and the dealers are opposed. "It's an unwarranted tax increase on small businesses," said Bailey Wood, spokesperson for the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Right. I see so many Escalades on farms and construction sites. ::ABC News
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So for I have seen exactly 2 Hummers being used in a way that this tax have been meant for. One was being used to tow a trailer full of Bobcats. It had mud covering haf the vehicle. The other was used in pretty much the same way and showed it: dents, covered in mud. Of course both of these were the original Hummer, not the luxury H2 or H3.
All the other Hummers I've seen seem to be driven by people who think that driving into the grass at the soccer field is 'off roading'.
And also the fact that many people (not all, but many) buy SUVs not for their alleged usefulness, but because they want to own an SUV. Oh and you look cool driving them too, right? That's a plus, too.
AND....Then there are people like "ME", who drive a hummer because I own a 15 acre farmstead and use it for hauling grain, hay, stock...wood...etc. Not to mention it is one of the only vehicles that I can get my disabled father into.
It is also very good at maintaining a 600 yard driveway, and making it to the top of our 250 acre mountaintop property at a different location.
It is a roomy rugged vehicle that is affordable and decent on gas...am I rich??? Heck no! Just a normal hardworking american female who does not wish to buy a vehicle that can't get thru a foot of Northeastern New York snow..
Just because we choose a vehicle that is helpful to our chosen lifestyle, does not mean we think we look cool...I look cool with out the truck!