In Partial Defense Of...

…those bottom-feeding, scum-sucking automaker execs.  Yes, there is a lot of blame being placed at their feet and that is where it should be.  In partial defense, for years they have been hitting the market with just what we demanded... the occasional economy car, lots of medium gauge gas suckers and a bunch of high end, over-sized guzzling behemoths.  But we, including the auto workers had a ton of dough and were ambivalent about the volatility of gas prices as well as environmental issues.   

This was a simple supply-demand equation and the auto makers were just meeting our demands.  That’s capitalism right?  I mean that is what is keeping the tobacco industry alive while they kill us off right? 

Over time, we may have progressed just fine, with a slow but gradual displacement of the big momma vehicles as the public gradually ‘warmed’ to the idea of global warming.  Unfortunately, the global economic crisis has blown out the bottom for all industries, leaving the buying public a bit short of funds for purchasing autos of any kind let alone gas guzzlers.  

For the automakers the playing field is now level with all who have been hit by this crisis – it’s just that their situation has been magnified by the sheer size of their industry.  So, they head to Congress for a bailout – it’s simple.  I mean, the banks led the way right?  Well, not so simple.  After adding to the mortgaged future of our grandchildren, Congress finally woke up a little and said, “Wait!  Before we can rescue you we have to see your plan for recovery.” – sort of a gigantic business plan.  Of course this is SOP for anyone one in business but the auto guys figured if they hurried to Washington, hat in hand they could ride the wave without bothering with the detail. Who can blame them? 

But now, whoops(!) Congress is taking a look at their compensation packages as well and telling them to literally “cool their jets” or at least give up part of their fleet. 

So now they have all jetted, separately of course, back to Michigan and are camped out with their spin-doctors, building plans that somehow consider the uncertainties of this amazing world-wide disappearance of purchasing power.  Stay tuned.  This should be a good one!!!  

If you want an on target, bright-eyed perspective on all this, watch the Rachel Maddow show...