I attribute much of the blame for the depressed prices of old doubles and for the current woes of the auto industry to governmental interference in the free market system. For old guns, it's partly the current and impending lead bans, on top of the restrictions on gun purchasing and ownership in some states. I live in a worst case state, California, and we now have to pay an 11% excise tax on all gun and ammo purchases, and that is on top of the 10% sales tax and background check and transfer fees for guns and ammo. Separate background checks (and separate fees) for guns vs ammo, even if you buy them at the same time. It's just an incredible hassle to buy, sell, trade, or use guns in this state. For cars, the government enthusiasm for EVs was clearly unwarranted because the technology (batteries and charging infrastructure) were not and are not ready for prime time. And they probably won't be be ready in my lifetime. I don't like EVs and there is little about them that appeals to me because they don't meet my use case. If they work for you, great. But the government's insistence on transitioning to EVs was premature, and that insistence has cost the manufacturers billions and billions of dollars. And from a customer perspective, the industry's focus on EVs has reduced the availability of the vehicles that many of us actually want to buy. I'd like to buy a new truck, have been looking for the right combination of features and accessories since February, without much success. Did not plan on placing a factory order but may have to. Biggest problem is that Toyota and Ram no longer make a truck that I'd want to own, and Ford has not shipped any to my neck of the woods. Why so hard to buy what I want? The manufacturers have been too focused on their electric and hybrid future. because the government is forcing them to.
