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You've got to be kidding me! After reading the November 27, 2009 article by Peter Whoriskey, Washington Post Staff Writer, I can't help but wonder who Obama will pick as the new "appliance czar."

Here's the beginning:

"...'Cash for Clunkers,' household edition - Program expected to boost appliance sales as economy drags

In U.S. history, there may have been no better time to own a junk car, a rattling old fridge and a leaking dishwasher.

On the heels of its ballyhooed 'Cash for Clunkers' program for cars, the federal government is expected to finalize details in the coming weeks of another tax-supported shopping extravaganza, known as 'Cash for Appliances.'

Supported by $300 million from the economic stimulus, the program will offer rebates to consumers who buy energy-efficient refrigerators, dishwashers, air conditioners and other appliances to replace their older models.

And like the $3 billion cars program that gave consumers money for swapping their clunkers for more fuel-efficient rides, the appliance initiative seems destined to inspire shoppers, drive up sales for a while and profoundly divide economists over how much lasting good this chunk of government spending will do for the economy..."

You can read the rest of the article here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/26/AR2009112602420.html

As for who should be "Appliance Czar," I think Alan Greenspan would fit the bill nicely. After all, Mr. Greenspan has defended derivative financing contracts for a decade or so - and maybe he could use "appliance-financing derivatives" to engineer the miracle "super bubble" to get America back on track - until, of course, folks stop paying for their appliances!

Here it comes: "The sub-prime appliance crisis!"

- Ed Smith, Publisher
The EHS Letter Manual