Where's the Patriotism Now?

I just love it, all that patriotism we saw back during the election. Barack Obama's patriotism was constantly called into question, but hey when it comes to rescuing America's manufacturing base, what we heard from Southern Senators, whose states have given plenty of tax subsidies to foreign auto companies, was screw you Detroit! Sorry for the language -- I know I'm a pastor -- but I'm tired of the old saws about how bad America's cars are. I've been driving Fords for some time. I've never owned a foreign car and don't intend to buy one. Of course, I'm a liberal and liberals are un-American. What I'm saying is that there's something fishy about all this banter from Southern Senators about protecting America's tax payers. What this is is quite simple -- it's an anti-union effort. Now, I admit that the unions have been part of the problem, but they have made signficant concessions, including dropping the job bank. But that was not enough for those who hail from the former Confederacy.

Again, I know that I try to keep things to a dull roar here. I'm a pastor who seeks to keep proper decorum. But as I've said, I've had enough. Please look at the studies, look at the ratings. American cars, especially those that come from Ford rank with the best in the world. The American companies are moving forward. And stop blaming the companies for making SUVs. Americans loved to drive them. They loved driving them right up until the gas got up to 3.75 a gallon. Then they suddently wanted to start driving Priuses.

So, for your reading pleasure take a look at this editorial today from the Detroit Free Press from RON DZWONKOWSKI. Ron reminds us that even as our Congress is denying support for our auto industry, other nations are stepping in to support their competitors -- you know, the ones building cars in the South!

So, when we're talking oxymorons let's add flag waving Toyota owners!

Comments

Gene said…
You're kind of a rabble-rouser.
Robert Cornwall said…
I'm usually pretty calm, cool, and collected, but this thing has got my blood boiling! I see the issue pretty directly as pastor to a community that is being directly impacted, including church members. So, I don't see myself as a rabble-rowser, but perhaps today I am!
Anonymous said…
I love it Bob.. glad to see you get excited, frankly its whats needed at this time... in moderation.

I know my opposition fires people up and thats ok, but I am looking from it from an economic perspective. I am a banker and lend to the auto industry, so to say I wouldn't be directly effected is a huge understatement. I have been bailed out twice if you will.

My worry right now is all over your post. First you are mad, then there must be a conspiracy vs my fault. (something fishy) Then we find a scapegoat. (its the southern politicians) Soon we begin to divide on geographical lines and take out the anger and life gets scary. The extreme example is a Hitler rising up to blame the Jews for the depression b/c they had all the money.

The american manufacturers were SMART to build SUVs. The very people trying to save the companies were the ones protesting the SUVs. (the Greenies) SUVs were popular and make lots of money. Hybrids aren't as profitable, so you must sell more. BUT the car market demand has declined and thus the rub.

Personally.. I just have BIG issues with politicans too involved in business. The oil shock is great example of what happens when the market works itself out naturally. If I was Ford, I would ANGRY! Think about it.. you get your financials in order, quality is up on your vehicles, but the bums across the street get a loan to keep in the game. Ford should be gaining market share thanks to participants leaving the market.

-Chuck
Anonymous said…
As a citizen of one of the former Confederate states, I'm loving this. The Yankees have crapped in their mess kits and now they want the Rebels to bail them out!

I suggest that the former Union states lend(give) the money to the car companies. The Confederate states will help by buying some of their cars and trucks; if we want to.
Anonymous said…
What makes my blood boil about this whole mess are the uncritical assumptions being made by those who oppose the federal bailout: that the crisis confronting the domestic car makers was caused by poor planning on the car maker's part (who could have foreseen that the commercial banking industry would collapse? or that the Federal government would be absolutely incapable of meeting the financial crisis); that foreign car makers are avoiding the crisis due to better management decisions (easy to be smart when your government subsidizes your industry, including your healthcare and retirement costs); that the national economy will be better off if we let one or more the auto maker's fail(forget the economic multiplier effects their payroll, supplier, and tax payments have on the general economy); that the need for the Wall Street bailout was indisputable where the need for the auto industry bailout is optional; that the failure of Chrysler or GM will not have the tidal wave properties in the American Economy that the failure of Lehman Brothers had on the American Economy; that Washington knows how to oversee the operation of an automaker; that Washington has any idea whatsoever what the causes of the auto industries current crisis are; and that the current bunch in Congress can figure this mess out without a roadmap, a personal guide, and ultimately, someone to tell them, in very short sentences, exactly what to do!

There, my blood is boiling less heatedly now.

John
Anonymous said…
I blamed both the public and the Big 3 for building SUVs and much else, but this was an attack on the unions and the working class. I would think that Rick Wagner should resign from GM (he's responsible for the Hummer--which has failed as both a military and civilian vehicle), but I still choke at the hypocrisy of the GOP 18. We bailout those who just push PONZI schemes (what happens on Wall St. would get you arrested in Vegas!), but we won't help the last major manufacturing sector of the economy?

When Reagan came to office in '81, even though the U.S. was recovering from a recession, we were the largest creditor nation in the world and the largest exporter of finished goods. Now, we import finished goods and export raw materials--and we are the largest debtor nation. I am so glad that Obama gets it: that we have to go Green and rebuild our manufacturing base at the same time. But it is clear that the GOP will fight him every step of the way. It's time to put away the "post-partisan" kumbaya crap and glove up for the fight!
Anonymous said…
The republicans can't do a thing. Obama will be president, the house is controlled by democrats, and the senate will either have 58,59, or 60 democrats, and several liberal republicans. If obama can't pass anything he wants to pass, it will be the fault of democrats, not republicans.

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