Strange Bedfellows

This really chafes my... well we don't need to go there. Capitalists and Socialists make strange bedfellows... if this is where the next four years are going, we are in for a really bad time.

Jim Queen, GM’s global engineering head, said the Obama administration may be open to gas taxes or policies imposed by many European countries that reduce oil consumption and make it easier for manufacturers to match their products to demand. “My personal opinion is we’d be better served in the U.S. if we could somehow establish a comparable floor that you see in Europe,” (currently about $1.80 a gallon compared to the 40 cents in tax we currently pay) Queen said. “And I think with the new administration we may have a shot under the umbrella of an energy policy to start talking about these things.”
(read the whole article here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28643952/)

Why in god's name would an auto maker's engineering head be calling for higher gas taxes? Why it makes it easier for them to predict future markets and turn a better profit. What? The 13.4 billion dollars you just picked our pockets for wasn't good enough? You want us to subsidize you through higher gas taxes too? I have a better idea... how 'bout we fire your sorry.... and find someone who is better able to predict future markets? Maybe we could hire someone away from Toyota or Nissan?

I recall hearing something on Bill Bennett about folks decrying the loss of the American piano industry at the turn of the last century... OH NO!... the piano industry is moving overseas! I got news for you buddy, your profits suck because your products suck (OMG...did I just attack the Big 3? Grab the tar and feathers!).

I have owned over the course of my life:
1 Chevrolet, 2 VWs, 2 AMCs, 2 Mazdas, 2 Fords, 1 Subaru, 1 Hyundai (I lived in Korea), 1 Landrover, and 2 Chryslers. I would definitely buy another Mazda, Subaru, or Landrover. I'm Iffy on the VW's...we'll have to see how the latest one works out. I would buy another AMC, but unfortunately they went out of business. I can firmly avow... I will most likely not buy another Ford, Chrysler, or Chevrolet. So much for the big 3... I consider myself a patriot, I would love to buy American, but, unfortunately, the product's don't adequately compete. It's not gas mileage or price I have problems with... in my opinion it's the fit and finish of the vehicles. I have never had mechanical problems with any of my imports (okay half of them were built here), I can't say that for Ford, Chrysler, or Chevrolet... but I digress.

I have a proposition for Mr. Queen, who's company is currently in negotiations with the UAW over wage and benefit cuts... DUDE! It's not the workers, it's the management! Personally, after watching the government drop billions into your mismanaged companies, let the workers keep their wages... every salaried sob on the management team, however, ought to have his salary dropped to the equivalent of minimum wage! American workers at American plants owned by foreign auto makers seem to be able to put together a decent car, so it's obviously not the workers. It's a failure of leadership! Your companies are going bankrupt because you seem incapable of managing your way out of a wet paper bag.

Blame the economy for Americans not purchasing your products... but you lost the top dog position long before the economy tanked. Blame the workers for sucking too much money off the corporate profits... but if the 'American' foreign companies can design cars that sell...why can't you? Blame the price of gas for your cars not selling... then explain to me the preponderance of Lexus, Acura's, Mercedes, BMW's, running at gallons per mile down the highway. Why are all the Cadillacs I see predominately driven by old folks? Why are all the young executives cruising around in their imports? Why can't you market your brands? You used to champion 'the best selling American cars'... then when you lost that position you were championing the 'best selling American trucks'... I got news for you, I'm seeing an awful lot of new full-size import trucks on the road these days.

Now, to save your own sorry hide, you are selling out capitalism and a free market economy? Think you are going to ingratiate yourself with the Obama generation by sucking up with a European model gas tax? Trying to pass off a further corporate bailout as 'green' and good for the environment? You've managed your companies into the ground with the same blind inertia you plodded through the '73 oil crisis with... which I might point out was your competitor's beachhead into our markets. It's a simple business rule...if you can't adapt to market conditions, you can't compete in the market. Just like the dinosaurs, you'll die off and someone better, fitter, and more adaptable will take your place.

You want nationalization? You want a government controlled market? Government controlled gas prices? Who do you think you are Volga? Move to Venezuela if you want a 'socialist' state. Frankly, you disgust me... and If we ever see your 'suggestion' go through, I'll swear on a stack of Bibles that I will never, ever, buy another of your products.

Okay, I'll get down off my soapbox now...

~Finntann~