Great, now we have to bail out the auto industry. Makes sense, after all, over 2.3 million jobs are tied to these global behemoths and we can’t afford the economic impact of putting these people out of work. I support helping them, but on terms that are ecologically sound.
Even their competitors want to see them stay in business. The parts suppliers would go out of business without the Big Three, hampering or even crippling the ability of Toyota, Honda and others to get the parts they need to build their cars.
It is not that I am a Motor City gear head. Sure, I was raised in Detroit, but I’ve driven VWs since selling my ’67 Dodge Dart GT. OK, full disclosure, I do own a ’93 Chevy Suburban that I adore. I don’t drive it much, but when I need a truck, or to move a group of eight, it is indispensable.
The reason I support bailing out the US auto industry is because I see an opportunity for some old-fashioned American social engineering using tax dollars.
The only reason GM, Ford and Chrysler haven’t gone belly up like fish full of dioxin on a hot, summer day is because of sales in emerging markets. Auto sales in Brazil, Russia, India, and China are increasing at a rapid rate. The Big Three are there with their smaller, more fuel efficient European models as well as with their selection of gas-guzzlers.
I haven’t researched the emissions controls and minimum fuel economy standards in these countries, but I’m willing to bet that they are not as stringent as they are here. The ecologist in me reels at the thought of contributing to the destruction of the planet by supporting stupid companies who build cars and trucks that will pour noxious gasses into the atmosphere.
These are the same people who successfully prevented the federal government from increasing fuel and emission standards for 30 years. Back when California was a leader in progressive thought (what happened there?) it was up to the states to increase standards. Vermont had to go to court to defend the right to dictate more stringent standards than the Feds.
It’s comforting that Republicans are running true to form. They want to redirect $25 Billion the government put up to help the Big Three do what they should have done beginning in the 70s – build energy efficient vehicles. I’m glad we can still count on them to come up with the worst possible solution.
This brings me to my proposal. Bail out the companies with strings attached that force them to sell a higher percentage of fuel-efficient vehicles. Make them build them even for countries that don’t demand fuel efficiency and emission controls.
Let’s incorporate Maryland Democrat Sen. Barbara Mikulski’s proposal to give tax breaks for those buying cars between now and the end of next year. I’ll take it one step further and allow those tax breaks only on vehicles that meet minimum standards.
We could stimulate sales by subsidizing low-income people to dump the Junkers they are forced by economic circumstances to drive in favor of efficient, dependable low maintenance vehicles.
Money could be put towards re-tooling plants that build SUVs to build energy efficient busses. Jobs will be created and more people would have money to spend on the wasteful baubles so dear to Americans because they wouldn’t have to spend it on wasteful transportation.
I don’t give a fig about executive bonuses. Let them have every incentive to be successful at creating 21st century companies that will be of value to society. They have proven they don’t have the foresight to do it. If they did, they would look more like Toyota, which sells everything from the popular hybrid Prius to gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs.
The financial woes of the American auto industry are an opportunity to create an auto industry that does the right thing. Financial gain for their shareholders is the only motivation they can legally use under the capitalist rules of our society. We should take the opportunity to use our leverage.
