Sit back with a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage and be prepared to be infuriated with your government gone wild on a glidepath to proficiency oblivion.  What follows is an article by Christopher F. Rufo on what happens when you try to institute D.E.I. at a Government Agency level.  THE FOLLOWING IS AN IMPORTANT READ IF YOU WANT TO LEARN HOW GOVERNMENT ACTS WITHOUT ANYTHING BEING RUN THROUGH CONGRESS OR WITHOUT PUBLIC INPUT OR APPROVAL.

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How Gender Ideology Captured the State Department

An executive order prompted the agency to recast its mission.

By: CHRISTOPHER F RUFO – October 31

The U.S. Department of State is charged with advancing American interests abroad through complex and delicate diplomatic missions, as well as maintaining the safety of those missions and the Americans serving them.

The institution’s lodestar should be the national interest, but under President Joe Biden, the State Department has demoted that critical objective in favor of a new global agenda: to spread radical gender theory to foreign nations.

The shift began at the top. President Biden and, in turn, the apparatus beneath him led America’s leftward charge on the world stage. Upon taking office in 2021, the administration used the previous year’s racial unrest as a pretext to issue a slew of executive orders and memoranda entrenching left-wing ideologies in all levels of the federal government, under the guise of “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” or DEI.

As part of this initiative, the White House required each federal agency to submit detailed DEI progress reports regularly, appoint a chief diversity officer, and create “Agency Equity Teams,” whose leaders were tasked with “delivering equitable outcomes.” These requirements contributed to what the president called “an ambitious whole-of-government equity agenda.”

The gender component of this agenda spread to the State Department through the president’s “Memorandum on Advancing the Human Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Persons Around the World.” Published in February 2021, this memorandum directed State and other agencies to monitor closely and report on the “LGBTQI+” policies of our allies, to “broaden the number of countries willing to support and defend” the radical Left’s understanding of gender—for example, by funding pro-transgender “civil society advocates” in order to shift public opinion in those countries—and to tie in the principles of gender theory to America’s foreign-aid programs.

If necessary, the memo maintained, agencies should use “the full range of diplomatic and assistance tools” to ensure foreign governments’ compliance with this agenda, including “financial sanctions, visa restrictions, and other actions.”

The policy’s most visible expression was Secretary Antony Blinken’s 2021 authorization allowing American embassies to fly rainbow flags. This symbolic gesture was just the tip of the iceberg, however. Under Blinken’s leadership, State has woven critical theory into the fabric of America’s foreign policy. “I want to be crystal clear about this,” the secretary said upon appointing the agency’s first chief diversity officer in June 2021. “Promoting diversity and inclusion is the job of every single member of this department. It’s mission critical.”

To that end, Blinken spearheaded the adoption of an internal diversity plan that commits the department to hiring “a workforce that reflects the diversity of the United States . . . and implementing a comprehensive recruitment plan that targets underrepresented groups”; conducting a sophisticated “DEIA Climate Survey”; and, bizarrely, producing a “crowdsourced digital storytelling campaign” called #FacingDiplomacy, a self-flagellating chronicle of “the historic impact of discrimination in the Department.”

Material incentives ensure compliance with this official ideology: the “advancement of DEIA” is now considered “as an element for all employees as part of their job performance criteria, career advancement opportunities, and senior performance pay.”

The heart of the department’s effort, though, is not to increase adherence at home but to spread it abroad. State recruited a cadre of gender activists to entrench these theories into foreign policy.

One key figure is gender activist Jessica Stern, whom the president appointed as special envoy to advance the human rights of LGBTI+ persons. She was previously the executive director of OutRight Action International, helped to found the United Nations LGBTI Core Group, and was responsible for the first UN resolution to include the term “gender identity.”

Another key figure is Zakiya Carr Johnson, who stepped in as the department’s chief diversity officer earlier this year. Like Stern, Johnson also has a history of activism, having spent six years at a left-wing NGO in Brazil, as well as at other “inclusive” organizations, such as Atlantic Fellows, ODARA Solutions, and her own start-up, Black Women Disrupt.

These women are not figureheads. They aggressively press gender theory into foreign policy. Johnson, in particular, regularly promotes the State Department’s ideological agenda on social media, spotlighting her exchange with the Brazilian high representative for gender issues, meeting with the Chilean ambassador to applaud his “#FeministForeignPolicy,” or speaking at the Colombian embassy about “diversity” and “inclusion.”

The diversity agenda has been translated to the day-to-day operations at embassies around the world. Some embassies are even screening security positions for adherence to DEI. In a job posting for a security escort position at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, for example, applicants are told that “[t]he U.S. Mission in Nigeria supports Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA),” and that “[a]ll genders are welcome to apply.” Some two-thirds of the job summary is dedicated to DEI, as if U.S. security officers should be more concerned with gender pronouns than terrorist attacks.

Inside the embassies, gender has become a near obsession. State’s latest annual LGBTQI+ progress report lists countless present and future efforts across all foreign agencies to make the world safe for queer theory, from “Pride Events at Headquarters” to “Gender Equity in the Mexican Workplace.” Among these is a department-wide partnership with the Global Equality Fund, a public-private entity “dedicated to advancing and defending the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons around the world” that has directed funds to 116 “grassroots” LGBTQI+ organizations in 73 countries.

State itself asserts that U.S. diplomatic efforts should reflect progressive ideology. In a special report on “DEIA Promotion” by the department’s advisory commission on public diplomacy, State evaluates “how U.S. missions adapt existing programs to DEIA principles,” which are to inform “all aspects of the Department’s policymaking as well as efforts to address barriers to opportunity for individuals historically and currently burdened by inequality and systemic discrimination.” Realpolitik, in other words, should give way to critical theory.

These efforts raise a critical question: Does gender theory advance the U.S.’s national interests? The answer appears to be no. But that is hardly an obstacle for State’s gender activists. They want to hang the rainbow flag throughout the benighted parts of the world. This mission trumps all others.

Within certain elements of our society there has become an almost “religious” obsession with the implementation of Diversity, Equity and inclusion.  As it is being implemented it would seem to guarantee “Equal Outcomes”  and universal equity.  On an emotional level it has a very seductive lure to it.  

I believe we have a Constitutional and moral obligation to provide all citizens with “Equal Opportunity” to succeed and to prosper.  

KEEPING IN MIND THAT D.E.I. IS ALMOST ALWAYS WEDDED TO THE WOKE CULTURE

LET US LOOK AT THE LURE AND THE CURSE

The term itself seems almost harmless and at a certain level a worthwhile goal.  Who can possibly object to universal equal positive outcomes?  Hence the “Lure”.

HOWEVER

 The history of mankind has proven over and over that you can provide equal opportunity to individuals but you cannot guarantee equal outcomes.  We simply are not all the same when it comes to goals and ambition and willingness to work to achieve our individual vision.  If we try to implement DEI as a mandated goal the result is always the same.  You get an achievement level of the lowest common denominator.  The “Curse” of reality.  Human nature tells me there is no reason for me to work hard if my outcome is going to be the same as the “guy” who sits on his butt, does nothing and ends up with the same amount of “stuff”.

We often see DEI attempted by forced implementation in places like government agencies which are fertile grounds for DEI because the expectation of efficiency, performance and accountability has such a general low threshold of acceptability that it is easy to claim victory.  In the corporate world  many major corporations that were lured into the D.E.I./WOKE  “World” have found themselves in deep financial trouble and losing market share.  A few examples:  Budweiser, Levi Strauss, Disney, Harley Davidson,  etc.

In the real world of commerce, sports, education, the military and most endeavors it simply does not work.  In sports for example all competition would be very boring as all games would end up in a tie.  

Many writers and “thinkers” have expounded of the failings of D.E. I.  Below is an article I wrote and published in March of 2023.  

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SILICON VALLEY BANK

RIWP

(Rest in WOKE Peace)

To steal an old saying:

Giving Tens of Billions of Dollars to a bunch of WOKE Bankers

is like giving whiskey and your new car keys to a teenager.

The collapse of the Silicon Valley Bank has created some level of chaos in the Financial Markets.  I am no expert on banking and my own experience over the years has been that my own bank is not my friend and the most I can hope for is that they would keep my meager savings safe from robbers. 

We are told now that those who had money in Silicon Valley Bank will be reimbursed by the Federal Reserve even if their deposits exceeded FDIC Insurance limits.  The fact that many of these depositors were heavy Democratic Donors and had Millions of Dollars on deposit at SVP is, I am sure, a coincidence and had nothing to do with Joe Biden’s decision.  Our President has said this will happen without impacting taxpayers.  This is code speak to say the Federal Reserve with some smoke and mirrors will fire up the printing presses and simply print the Billions of Dollars to cover the losses of the banks failures.

It is widely reported in the media that the Silicon Valley Bank was proudly WOKE and practiced “Diversity – Equity – Inclusion” as a corporate theme.  I believe their resultant failure is what happens if you let your political and social agenda take priority over a sound business agenda.  Gets me to thinking……..

A new baseball season is starting and teams are forming.

Manager number one calls in his recruiters and scouts and gives them the following instructions:   Go find me players who want to play on a winning team.  Players who are focused on being the best and work hard at it for the good of the team and their fans.   We want players who can excite the crowd with their excellence on the field that will bring the fans back game after game wanting more.  I don’t care what color they are, what their nationality is, what their religion is, what they do in their free time, what their politics are or their sexual orientation.  Keep all that off the field.  Whether we are at practice or in a game we are a team and play as a team with a common goal.  Never lose sight of the fact that we are on that field to play Baseball, not make political statements.

Manager number two calls in his recruiters and scouts and gives them the following instructions: This is the 21st Century and we want to build a team that “looks like America”.  Find players who are an obvious cross section of our Diversity – Equity – Inclusion goals.  Recruit equal numbers of  Black, Brown and White players and be sure to include a token Asian.  We want to show fans a cross section of Transgender, Gay, and physical diversity.  At the end of each inning have the players rotate to new positions so they get the full benefit of “Inclusiveness”. All practice sessions will include Critical Race Theory training as well as Gender Options Studies and, of course, lessons in Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness.  We want players who are socially involved.  Players will be excused from practice to attend important events such as “Climate Change”, Black Lives Matter and similar rally’s.   Players should be encouraged to promote their “Diversity” on and off the field and especially when interfacing with the media.  Players need to understand that it’s not important whether we win or lose a game.  Our goal is to showcase “Diversity – Equity – Inclusion” to educate fans attending the game.

Which team do you think has the best chance to win a championship?

Now apply these same principles to our Military and other public service where real teamwork and common goals are critical.  If your first priority is having a WOKE agenda of Diversity – Equity – Inclusiveness what you end up with is what we in the military used to call a group of monkeys playing football. 

Are you scared yet.

Bob Bandy – October 2024

CONGRESSMAN ADAM SCHIFF

THIS MAN WANTS TO BE YOUR NEXT CALIFORNIA SENATOR

The Congressional Godfather of Lies and “Dis-information” is in the news saying we must find a way to stop the spread of Dis-information by his political opponents on the “Right”.

This from a man who swore for three years that he had solid hard evidence that Donald Trump  had conspired with the Russians.  Turns out he had a fistful of nothing except a pattern of lies. 

“Schiff warns of Russian attack on US Mainland, as Day 2 of of Trump’s Senate impeachment trial concludes.”

Above Quote Source: Fox News 1-22-20

He further committed perjury during the House of Representatives quest to have President Trump impeached by introducing into the Congressional Record a supposed incriminating dialog between President Trump and the President of the Ukraine.  This was later shown be a total fabrication on the part of Adam Schiff and another of his lies. 

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John Kerry – Slick Times

In Adam Schiff’s quest to muzzle his political foes he is joined by John Kerry who on his best days is a misguided Al Gore “wannabe” Buffoon who travels the world in his private jet to lecture us on how we should give up our gas cooking stoves to “Save the Climate”.  While he wants you to freeze in the dark, he never lectures the Chinese or people of India, who comprise some 30 – 40% of the worlds population, about their building coal fired power plants as fast as they can.

ON THE SUBJECT OF DIS-INFORMATION

I have lived for some 50 years with various “Prophets of Climate Armageddon” and their prophecies which all turned out to be “Dis-information”.  Below are excerpts from one of the articles I wrote back in 2019:

JUNK SCIENCE ALA CARTE

The complete article is available at:   

https://www.stoppullingthewagon.com/?s=junk+science+ala+carte

Lets look at the record of some of the “Prophets of Doom”.

The Population Bomb – a best selling book written by Stanford University Professor Paul Ehrlich (and his wife Anne, who was not credited) in 1968 predicted worldwide famine in the 1970’s and 1980’s due to overpopulation, as well as other Societal upheavals unless immediate steps were taken to limit population growth. At the time there were some 3.8 Billion people on earth and today the number is more like 7.6 Billion. Statistically, hunger is no greater problem now than it was then. Paul Ehrlich was wrong but created near panic in sections of the population due to his predictions.

In the 1970’s “Scientists” predicted an imminent Global Cooling trend leading to a new “Ice Age”. One view of this prophecy can be seen in the movie “The Day After Tomorrow” (2004). This prediction was given great credibility by Newsweek, Time, Life, The National Geographic and the news media. Instead, what actually happened was a slight warming trend. The so-called “Scientists” and “Experts” were wrong again.

Perhaps one of the biggest “hucksters” of all is former Vice President Al Gore who has made a fortune with his book, “An Inconvenient Truth” – 2006, and his following exploitation and “marketing” of his conjecture, all of which was supposed to happen long before now. Let’s look at some of his “predictions” and “science” while on his way to the bank:

1. Rising Sea Levels – inaccurate and misleading. Both Al Gore and former President Barack Obama have since bought Beachfront Mansions

2. New Ice Age in Europe – they’ve been spared; it never happened.

3. South Sahara Drying Up – completely untrue.

4. Massive Flooding in China and India – again, didn’t happen.

5. Polar Bear Extinction – The Polar Bear population is increasing.

6. The Earth would be in a “True Planetary Emergency Within a Decade Unless Drastic Action was Taken to Reduce Greenhouse Gasses” – never happened.

Al Gore made many other predictions. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Still he has created a huge following of “true believers” and a near panic in some quarters.

Now we have the newest prediction as shared with us by Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes and others that Civilization is Doomed within 12 years unless we immediately adopt their “Green New Deal” which will supposedly cost between 50 and 100 Trillion Dollars over the next ten years.

They have succeeded in causing panic among a large portion of the population with their “Progressive” agenda and even caused many prospective mothers to declare they will no longer have children because they to not want to bring babies into a world that is doomed to extinction in a short period of time. This is junk science and prophecy gone mad. Such fear mongering is beneath contempt. Shame on them.

Patrick Moore – Former President of Greenpeace has stated it well: “There is no definitive scientific proof through real-world observation that carbon dioxide is responsible for any of the slight warming of global climate which has occurred during the past 300 years.” He rejects the “science is settled” and “the debate is over” statements so popular in worldwide media.

I read the other day that 97% of “Research Scientists” will provide those who pay for their research with whatever statistics they are looking for in their political agenda.  This is probably also “dis-information” but I am cynical enough where politicians are at work to think it is likely mostly true.

Bob Bandy – October 2024

Former San Francisco Mayor and California Governor Gavin Newsom

A friend of mine recently suggested I do an article on one of the latest of Governor Gavin Newsom’s prevarications regarding the impact on “Fast Food” jobs created with his ill-advised plan to mandate $20 minimum pay for workers in the Fast Food Industry.  He recently claimed that there was no job loss after implementing the new minimum wage.  As usual he speaks with “forked tongue” and does so by “fudging” hand picked “windows” of time.  The true overall impact of his wage plan has been devastating not only on the owners of Fast Food Franchises but also on the workers in this industry.  See:

The California Globe

Gov. Newsom’s Office Continues to Fib About Fast Food Job Losses – Claims Job Gains

‘Newsom is stretching the truth to obscure that his fast food minimum wage hike has been a disaster’

By Katy Grimes, August 20, 2024 11:27 am

Note:  The above well written article is still available on the California Globe website

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The above is the article my friend was referring to and it is well written and a lengthy look at how he manipulates numbers in the creation of his falsehoods.

On preparing for this issue I found myself reviewing numerous articles I have written in which Governor Newsom played a starring, and usually the leading role.  Space does not permit a review of all of them but a selection of his most egregious and  damaging efforts to the well being of California can be gleaned from reading your choice of the following few examples which I have provided the link to.  Just copy and paste the address into your browser or use the search feature in the left column.

Many voters have prime issues which drive them, sometimes a single issue from a politician decides their vote.  I personally have several important issues that drives my voting but my most important one is the vulnerability of children and the sanctity of the families ability to guide their beloved children through those life forming early years.  Hence, my anger when our Governor and his cohorts in the legislature put the innocence of our most vulnerable and important little ones at risk.  This angst caused me to write the below article which I consider one of the most important I have written.

CALIFORNIA GAUNTLET FOR THE VULNERABLE 

https://www.stoppullingthewagon.com/?s=California+gauntlet+for+the+vulnerable

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Remembering that our governor was formally the mayor of San Francisco I wrote the following piece about the destruction he left behind him when he moved from the Mayor’s office to the Governors office.

GAVIN THE DESTROYER

https://www.stoppullingthewagon.com/?s=gAVIN+THE+DESTROYER

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For another look at America’s Worst Governor you might want to read

CALIFORNIA FOLLIES – THE NEWSOM SAGA

https://www.stoppullingthewagon.com/?s=cALIFORNIA+FOLLIES

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There are a number of other articles about the foibles and life of our miscreant Governor Newsom but this is getting a bit long so will close with his multi-year love affair with California’s High Speed Rail to nowhere on which I have lavished considerable amount of sarcasm and anger over the years.  You might find one or both of  the following interesting:

CALIFORNIA’S HIGH SPEED RAIL 2.0

https://www.stoppullingthewagon.com/?s=high+speed+rail+2.0

OR

CALIFORNIA PORK BARREL GRAVY TRAIN

https://www.stoppullingthewagon.com/?s=California+pork+barrel

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With all of the above, I have not even touched on the highest gas taxes (and some of the poorest road conditions) in the country or the chaos and fiscal impact of being a Sanctuary State with free healthcare, education and other costs of illegal migration and now our governor is talking about qualifying illegals for unemployment benefits.

There are many other documented examples of our California Governors failings and dishonesty but a review of the above samples will give you a taste of his tenure in office and the devastation he has done to our formerly beautiful state.

Out of room but the Chronicles go on and on.  70+ Billion Dollar Budget Deficit – 24 Billion Dollars in “Homeless Funds” “Vanished” “Poof” with no idea where the money went – Signed (Unconstitutional) Bill making Political/Satire/Humor/”Deep Fake” illegal in California (supposedly because he is angry with Elon Musk for moving Tesla and SpaceX facilities from California to Texas) – Newly signed bill to outlaw grocery store plastic bags – etc. etc. etc.

Bob Bandy – October 2024 

Vice President and Presidential candidate Kamala Harris

Listening to Kamala Harris, I remember at one point during one of her “word salad” explanations that one “New Tax Plan” she wanted to put in place is to start taxing and collecting taxes on “Unrealized Capital Gains”.   I am sure that if she had been asked to explain just how she would do this that we would have gotten a five minute “remembrance” of how she grew up in a middle class family, how hard her mother worked and how much she loved math, how she was the tallest kid in the third grade and all that she learned about adding and subtracting and how she loved her third grade teacher.

Like most “Progressives” (aka – Socialists) she believes that the government knows better how to spend the money you work so hard for than you do.  You are incompetent, you need people like her to take care of you.  Kamala also believes that if you have lived and worked here all of your life, paid taxes and been a good citizen, you should pay for your health insurance. (Even Medicare recipients pay a premium.)  But, if you are here illegally you should receive “free” healthcare.

I am also sure she has no clue as to how a “Unrealized Capital Gains Tax” plan works or the impact it would have on the economy. An explanation from an economist along with the implications of such a plan would sound like “word salad” to her.

Under current Tax Law, Capital Gains are taxed when you sell an asset and they become “realized gains” (money in hand).  Under her “vision” it would be taxed as it is earned but “unrealized” (not cashed out – “paper profits no money in hand”).

Here is a real simple example of how Kamala’s  plan could affect the average “Joe Sixpack” tax payer.  Joe buys a house for $100,000 dollars.  Two years later “Zillow”, “Google” or some other agency that tracks home values reports that Joe’s home is now worth $150,000.  Joe has a $50,000 “Unrealized Capital Gain” (profit on paper).  Under Kamala’s plan the IRS would send Joe a “Capital Gains” tax bill for taxes on his $50,000 “gain”.  And as the home continues to gain in value, our Joe would continue to get supplemental “Capital Gains” bills for taxes due.  Not to worry though, if Joe can’t pay the additional income taxes being levied, the IRS will just place a lien (plus interest) on the property until it is sold.  The IRS is so helpful that way.  

As an added bonus you can expect your State, County, even Local Government Tax Authorities to figure ways to get their share of this Tax Bonanza.  I live in California and can envision our Governor Newsom already getting “hot flashes” at the prospect of getting his hands on your “Unrealized Capital Gains” long before you do.

What if our Joe’s home value actually goes down in value.  Under some circumstance the IRS “might” let you write off some of the loss (good luck).  

This same scenario applies to other investments and assets as well.  Your 401K account, Stock Portfolios, Land, “Investment Grade” most anything.  Putting your money away in gold or silver into an account the government can monitor?  

Below is the Google / Dictionary Definition of “Unrealized Capital Gains”

“Unrealized capital gain refers to the increase in value of an investment or an asset that an investor holds but has not yet sold. These gains are “unrealized” because they exist only on paper; they only become “realized” once the asset is sold.”

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Today,  the government taxes you on everything you earn and they tax you on what’s left of what you worked for when you spend it. They tax everything at every level.  And they tax you when you die.  Oh, and Kamala also mentioned she would like to increase estate taxes which would include family farms etc. etc. etc. 

Do you really want to have the government tax “Unrealized Capital Gains” as outlined above and as viewed by the wolves at the IRS?

Bob Bandy – September 2024

Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid

Our daughter leased a new Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid some 3+ years ago.  She loved the car.  It was dependable and she only had to put gas in it maybe every 3-5 weeks. She liked it so much that at the end of the lease she seriously considered just purchasing it.

I went with her to the dealership and we were very fortunate in getting a candid and honest representative to handle my daughters business.  When our daughter told the lady that she was interested in now purchasing the vehicle,  the representative told her she could certainly do that but offered her some options worth considering.  First, if she purchased the vehicle on a four year payment plan, at the end of her payments she would have a 7-8 year old Hybrid E.V. and “older” models with 70,000 to 80,000 miles on them are “almost” worthless as the battery packs have a definite lifespan and can cost $20.000 to $30,000 to replace.  This discourages potential buyers for good cause.  If she went ahead and purchased it, the vehicle would have very little value as a trade in at the end of her payment period.  We sincerely appreciated her honesty.  On the other hand she could lease another new one on a three or four year contract with a very attractive lease payment and full warranty for the full lease period.  Our daughter did just that and since she loves the vehicle,  I think she made a wise choice. 

It is important when purchasing a Hybrid or Electric Vehicle to know what the manufactures warranty is on the Battery “Pack”.  For example Kia’s warranty is 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.  Tesla has an 8 year or 100,000 to 150,000 mile (depending on model) warranty on the battery.  Other manufactures may vary.  Knowing this will tell you why a high mileage Hybrid or Electric vehicle may have very little or no resale value.  Wanna buy a Kia Hybrid with 99,000 miles on it? Or a 7 year and 10 month old Tesla?  Keep in mind a battery change out is $20.000 to $30,000. 

My daughters Sales Representative’s candor got me to thinking.

We own a 2007 Kia Sorento just like the one pictured above.  It is 17 years old and just last month turned 100,000 miles.  While I was getting it serviced, I mentioned to the Service Manager that it had just turned over the 100,000 mile marker and has been maybe the best car I have ever owned, still drives like the first day we got it and would like nothing more than to keep it.  He told me that it is not unusual for this vehicle to go 200,000 miles or more, has seen them over 250,000 miles, if they are serviced regularly.  The “good news” is that if you had to replace the engine in it at some point it could be done for about $6,000 and then you would be set for another 100,000 miles plus.  

I remember ads for used Toyota’s, Honda’s, others with 125,000 miles on them and still bringing $22,000 or more.  Had an acquaintance of mine once posted on Facebook that their Hyundai Santa Fe had 325,000 miles on it and was still reliable.

From an investment standpoint putting $40,000 to $60,000 into a car that will be just so much scrap metal in 8-10 years is perhaps something to think through.  Also, in many/most areas of the country the now defunct batteries must be handled as “Hazardous Waste”.

 Another consideration is, (here in California), the sales tax alone on a new $40,000 car is over $3,000 and on a $60,000 car is about $5,000.  Ouch!  Somebody please tell me why I would want to make a gift to California of $5,000 in sales tax plus 5 years or more of several hundred dollars a month in payments on a vehicle which will be “scrap” and “hazmat” at the end of the contract.

As an added note I saw on television the other day that the per mile cost between gasoline and recharging your electric vehicle is now just about even.  Also, some states, like California, are considering imposing a per mile tax on electric vehicles because of the “lost” gasoline tax revenue they have grown to depend on.  

No intended judgement here.  Everybody has to do as they think best.  Just some information to think about as you consider your next vehicle purchase.

Bob Bandy  –  September 2024