Thursday, June 4, 2009

Why I Don't Want a Government Car

In case you haven't been watching, the Obama administration has taken over GM and Chrysler with the helpful thought that these two companies should make "Greener" cars.  Cars that get 39 miles a gallon, and trucks that get 30 miles a gallon.  This development of technology, while quite useful, will be quite expensive for the automotive industry and you.  Average of about $1100 per car more.  But you have the money for that right?

This plan is a quiet way to make sure that American auto companies make smaller cars. Increasing the proportion of small cars that they make is the only way that the automotive companies can hit the targets. This is why the administration is forcing Chrysler to be sold into the hands of Fiat, abrogating hundreds of years of standing bankruptcy law, and flaunting it in the face of investors who had loaned Chrysler money against the assets that Chrysler had put up as collateral.  Wouldn't it be nice if you, dear reader, could simply decide that you don't want to pay your car payment anymore, but you want to keep your car.

The administration has made clear that they intend to force Americans to buy these wonderful "Greener" cars, by adding tax incentives, and subsidizing GM and Chrysler with giant amounts of your money.  The administration has to use tons of your money to do this for one simple fact: Americans don't want to drive little cars.  Let's review:

Pimps want to drive Escalade's, not escorts.
Soccer moms want to drive SUVs and minivans, not Malibu's.
Businessmen want to drive Lincoln town cars and Chrysler 300's, not Festiva's.
Families want four-door pickup trucks and station wagons, not too seated electric cars.

Let's be honest, the car is the status symbol for many people.  It's a practical tool.  You can't fit daddy, mommy, the two kids and a dog into a mini car.  Well you can, but no one wants to, and that's the point.

Even though he was in the Senate, Obama wasn't paying attention, he was busy campaigning for president for his two years in the Senate.  So he's apparently unaware that Congress has been forcing United States automakers to make smaller more fuel-efficient cars at a loss for several years.  Aware that Americans love big trucks and SUVs, Congress has put giant 25% tariffs on imported pickup trucks and SUVs, so the US auto companies can fight off competition, and make a profit on them.

So read this, Mr. President: I don't want a mini car.  I'm a 6 foot four 285 pound wall, and I have a hard time getting out of a car like that.  I don't want them, and neither does the rest of America, that's why we haven't been buying them.  And if we do buy them we don't buy the American ones because they're poorly made.  Instead of hassling the auto industry about higher fuel mileage, how about cutting the ridiculous wages they have to pay, that are way out of line with the rest of industry.  How about doing all the things that a competent CEO would do to make a company work, lower costs and make a better product. Seriously dude, you don't know anything about running an automotive company, you have no real world experience, youve always been a politician.  Your a slick politician and that's great.  But don't pretend you know what you're doing when it comes to running a company, you have no experience at that, and neither does the team that you've chosen to run the automotive industry.

Obama forcing these higher fuel mileage standards on the automotive industry now is akin to kicking somebody while they're down.  But after all, that's the time to kick them, when they can't defend themselves.

6 comments:

Timeshare Jake said...

The truth is they are going to drive the cost of oil up again to force these things in faster than expected, and secondly, do you realize that your car insurance is going way up to cover the increased medical costs. You aren't going to save any money buying this stupid car.

Right Side Review said...

Everybody just needs to support Ford, and only Ford. Ford is the only way we can keep a non-socialized car in America.

I've wrote a few blog post on this topic. Check them out.

http://rightsidereview.blogspot.com/

I'm Not Going To Take It Any More said...

This idiots first 30 days has been a major scam of dumb bills, crooked appointees and a welfare-pork bill, that will do nothing for the economy. As he screams in his ‘community organizer-dictator’ voice filled with anger to the slobbering drones tonight, one thing should worry you. THIS BILL IS STILL ONE PILE OF SHIT THAT WILL RUIN THE LIVES OF MANY AMERICANS FOR YEARS TO COME!

The Obama administration asked Rick Wagoner, the chairman and CEO of General Motors, to step down and he agreed... Would the brown shirts and buses show up at his home if he hadn't resigned?

Is there any precedent for this in American history? The POTUS elbows into a private corporation and *fires* the top executive: There's the door, RIck. I'm the President, and you are gone! Bye, bye!!

Government Motors will require unions to make cars - nice!

agustin said...

It seems that many U.S. citizens that are less concur with the policy obama. Why obama does not listen to the aspirations of the people american?

KOOK said...

This is exactly what I have been screaming as well. I want to see the presidential limo remade into a smartcar. Two sets of rules, everybody is equal but some are more equal than others.

Joseph Greene said...

Good read James.
The government taking over of the auto industry is just one more blow to the American people. If my family had to drive around in a Smart Car or a shiney new Volt we would have to leave the baby at home. If your interested in changing things go to
www.responsibleactivism.blogspot.com
And start with educating yourself.