Car dealers ask: Where is the cash for clunkers money?

Just when the White House thought the cash for clunkers controversy had faded way--it comes roaring back.

One car dealer told the Chicago Sun-Times, "It makes me very nervous."

You'd be nervous too, if you were owed a lot of money and you weren't sure when you were going to get it.

The program was designed to get old, poor-mileage cars off the road and to prop up the drooping auto business. Car buyers are able to bring in low-mileage "clunkers" and get a $3,500 or $4,500 government rebate for a new car with better gas mileage.

The program has proved so popular that the government bumped it from $1 billion to $3 billion. But dealers across the country, who have been giving discounts to car buyers, are still waiting for their money.

"I'm out pretty close to $500,000," complained one west suburban dealer, who wished to remain anonymous. The dealer said he and some others have quit delivering cars until the money comes through.

"If Uncle doesn't come across, it's not going to help the consumer," he said.

Car dealerships have payrolls to make, property taxes to pay, and a slew of other expenses.

But let me repeat one sentence of the excerpt:

The dealer said he and some others have quit delivering cars until the money comes through.

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