Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Shiny new gov't spy machine? No, thanks.

Maybe there's even more to the total loss racket than one might think. Eric Peters, in an article published on the National Motorists Association's website, discusses the government's interest in turning motor vehicles into its own spy machines. The newer the vehicle, the more comprehensive the technology. This may further explain why State Farm - and the insurance "mafia" - is so anxious to declare vehicles a total loss. Frankly, I'd had similar thoughts, and it was good to see a few facts published relevant to my concerns.

Before continuing, here's a brief update on my case:

Suddeth Automotive has yet to be paid for thousands of dollars worth of repairs done at State Farm's behest, and State Farm continues to insist on declaring my car totalled, based on the inclusion of normal wear and tear items that had nothing to do with the accident. Mechanical repairs having been completed, I continue to drive my car. Runs like a dream - just needs cosmetic repairs.

The government has certainly evidenced a keen interest in folks getting rid of "old" vehicles. The "Cash for Clunkers" program - ostensibly created to aid the auto industry - may have included an even grander design. In a separate article, Mr. Peters gives an apt summary of the "clunker" program:

"(It) artificially stimulated demand for new cars by artificially making scarce (by destroying them) perfectly usable used cars and making more expensive those not destroyed, such that many people decided to go ahead and get a new car since the cost difference was no longer that great. Remember: People were paid to throw away their old cars — or put another way, the purchase of new cars was heavily subsidized."

And now there's this big push to declare readily repairable vehicles a total loss. Hmm...

With Big Brother's National Security Agency (NSA) making headlines for privacy intrusions, I won't belabor the point about a lousy little police state seeking further control over its citizenry. I jus' wanna emphasize that something is badly amiss, clearly demonstrated by the way State Farm is handling my case.

I'm not interested in buying a new car. Much less an Orwellian spy machine...