• @frezik@midwest.social
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    327 months ago

    Laws have to change for direct sales of cars, mostly at the state level. Dealership owners also happen to be big donors to state elected officials.

      • @Asafum@feddit.nl
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        57 months ago

        And the typical response of “JuSt Be YoUr OwN LoBbYiSt!”

        There are over 300 million pissed off people in this country, you think my dumb ass is somehow going to organize better than literally anyone else?

        • @IHadTwoCows@lemm.ee
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          87 months ago

          McConnell sold Citizens United on “unions can spend just like corporations can!” knowing full well that there would be no possible way that unions could ever even approach corporate donations

    • @loudambiance@sh.itjust.works
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      17 months ago

      I’m not so sure about that. Interstate trade is the sole domain of the federal government technically. If you are in Tennessee buying from a manufacturer in Detroit, I would think that federal laws would override state laws. Realistically, I’m not so sure how that works okay out.

      • @frezik@midwest.social
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        67 months ago

        It’s been this way for decades without a serious challenge. Tesla has tried and largely failed to fight this (whatever else you might say about Tesla).

        • @loudambiance@sh.itjust.works
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          17 months ago

          I think part of what Tesla failed at was opening direct buy dealerships in states, which becomes Intrastate commerce. They do allow you to direct buy, just not from the “showroom”.

            • @loudambiance@sh.itjust.works
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              17 months ago

              I think context is important here. We were talking about how Tesla failed to open direct to consumer dealerships owned by Tesla because of state laws.

              • @mortalic@lemmy.world
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                17 months ago

                I suppose that understates it. They failed to get laws changed in a few red states. Considering how they can’t produce vehicles fast enough, I don’t know how much that even matters.

    • Semi-Hemi-Demigod
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      -17 months ago

      Most states with sales taxes include auto sales, so it’s also that they bring in a ton of government revenue.