At least, we’ve been told by the Democrats that “Cash-for-Clunkers” is a successful program. The dealers who are out the money until they clear nearly-impossible bureaucratic hurdles, totaling about 98% of those who took part in the plan, might disagree as they wonder if they’ll ever get reimbursed. As one local paper put it, “Clunkers…but no cash“.

Anyway, this supposedly ultra-successful program will be suddenly and abruptly coming to a complete halt months before schedule.

The Transportation Department said Thursday the government will wind down the program on Monday at 8 p.m. EDT. Car buyers can receive rebates of $3,500 or $4,500 for trading in older vehicles for new, more fuel-efficient models.

“It’s been a thrill to be part of the best economic news story in America,” Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. “Now we are working toward an orderly wind down of this very popular program.”

Popular, yes, but not well-run in the least. Not only has the nightmarish bureaucracy involved in dealers getting reimbursed lead to almost all of them still being on the hook for unpaid claims, but Congress has now twice failed to appropriate the proper amount of money to keep the program operating for its specified window of time.

And the fact that this is the “best economic news story in America” says a lot more about how bad things are than about Cash-for-Clunkers. I supposed with falling retail sales, rising unemployment, and hyperinflation believed to be right around the corner, this nightmare would qualify as the best economic story.

Dealers have complained of delays in getting reimbursed and backlogs of vehicle paperwork getting processed in the program. Dealers have said they face a risk of not being reimbursed but LaHood has pledged that dealers will get paid for the incentives.

Oh, well, if the same government that created this nightmarish program says they’ll get reimbursed, it must be so. Because I just believe whatever the Obama Administration claims in the process of trying to save its own ass. Just like a good little lemming. Off the cliff we go!