As Good as New

Uncle Sam as new-car salesman
Struck a chord with old-car owners,
Doling funds to get some action,
Cash for Clunkers, no more loaners
During tenth-year check-up service.
Rather, some more showroom business.

Just like that, a billion dollars
Vanished. Twice as much might follow.
From Detroit long-distance haulers
Carry smaller cars as cargo.
Checks for forty-five hundred bucks—
Buyers’ vouchers— await the trucks.

Why not further spread the wealth, though?
Dealerships already gouge us,
Fully, only we your car know.Upkeep then entails a bonus
For the service in their back shop.
Other choice to keep cars tip-top?

Yep! An able, straight repair guy
Can as well rebuild an engine
Bang out nicks and dents and thereby
Make cars look at least less driven.
Gussied relics as in Cuba
What year’s that one? Gorgeous! ooh/aah!!

Plus the guy has his suppliers
Stimulated by his orders,
Coast to coast creating hires,
Finishers, machinists, welders.
Everybody can’t buy brand new;
Uncle Sam, recycled's good, too.