You're looking at this upside down. Congress is interested in pulling funds for that very reason. These rovers already exist, are comparatively cheap to operate, and have very long lives. Existing rovers aren't bringing home the bacon. They're just funding few "mother's basement" geeks.

The DSN doesn't appear to be that terribly over-booked.

BTW: we're talking about Opportunity not Curiosity. Either way, I'm sure university students would love a chance at that thing and wouldn't charge a penny. There's still plenty to be learned from Opportunity, and last I knew it hadn't even reached it's last science destination.

We're gearing up for the cold war with China.

Since when does the quality of customer service become the purview of law? There are no dishonest dealings going on. Customers enter into these purchases fully aware of the requirements of ownership. No one expects Walmart to provide a service center for the electronics they sell, nor a seamstress for their clothing.

This is protectionism and corrupt politics as can only be done at the local level pure and simple.

He is. That's why things are flowing only in one direction while being all backed up going the other way.

The "Commie" reason doesn't work so well any more except perhaps in the south where "because fsck you is why" remains their patriotic motto. Really I think the best way to spin this issue to get a final resolution would be to somehow frame it as a "do it for the children" thing.

I'm going to dress myself in lots of raw, bloody meat then go scuba diving as is my right. While I'm doing this I fully expect the coast guard to patrol the waters for sharks and intercept any that come near me.

A problem that is further compounded by an economic environment where people are compromising a short commute in order to obtain employment.

I could think of a few reasons...

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The survey was taken by a "coupons" web site. In other words, a self-selected group of gullible morons that click on those "you're our millionth visitor," "is your phone slow" banner adds. Further, in looking at the results some of the highlights found the LA Time article are well within the range of "noise" answers.

Build two buildings with a certain concrete, one a billion dollar mega project, the other a five million retail space. The moment the building collapse of the five million dollar project is suggested to be caused by the deficiencies of the concrete the billion dollar mega project gets branded a death trap.

So do you take a razor to the LG and Sony labels too on your other electronic devices as well?

Objective analysis of the world around them is very much an appropriate thing to teach your children. Not everything is pink ponies and Power Rangers. People with power and authority need to be viewed critically not abjectly. Neither does everyone live their lives with the values you hold. That said, the depth into which your children are introduced should be proportionate to their maturity. Dark may not be so bad, but deep depravity not so appropriate.

Tax credits vary depending on where you live. Regardless, for US customers there's a federal tax credit of $7,500 for personal use EVs. State incentives can bump that up to $15,000. Base cost is $69,000.

The maintenance on EVs are negligible, a fact that for instance prompts many Nissan dealers to marginalize, even avoid stocking the Leaf altogether. Wiper blades, alignments, and tires. Check the maintenance schedule on them. There really isn't much to do, it's most just a bunch of inspections. The usable life on Tesla battery packs will easily outlast the average life of an ICE retaining 85% capacity at 100,000 miles.