Tyler, TX (KETK) — The only thing the federal government is good at is looking at ways to fix things and losing lots of money while they do it.

The so-called, non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has some sickening numbers for us.

First of all, the government has been backing cars no one wants. Yeah, there are always a few who want the latest thing no matter what, but they can't give these things away.

The National Legal and Policy Center reports the outlook is that federal subsidies for the cars will cost taxpayers $7.5 billion over the next few years for little or no benefit, even when including the impact of total gas consumption or emissions.

The CBO report also breaks down the cost to government (they should say cost to taxpayers) for every gallon of gas saved by buyers of electric cars. The cost estimate is $3 to $7 for every gallon of gas saved.

The writer of the article says, I don't see that this cost includes lost tax revenue from gas taxes, nor would it include state subsidies. I have previously calculated that the cost per gallon of gas saved would increase to about $10 per gallon for short term leases, like the subsidized 2 year leases that have helped manufacture demand for the Chevy Volt. Ponder that logic, taxpayers pay $10 for every gallon of gas that the lessees of those Chevy Volts save. We would be far better off having these people drive gas-powered cars for two years and paying for the extra gas in full!.

Insanity.

This is what happens when the ham-fisted government tries to help.

Let the market make it.

That's my point of view, what's yours?

You can email me at pov@ketknbc.com or Facebook me at KETK Neal Barton.