Comments on: A Modest Proposal to Save the U.S. Auto Industry

By: Lillie Ammann

Lillie Ammann — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:19:47 +0000

I’d be honored, Brad.

Lillie Ammanns last blog post..Guest Post at Straight from Hel: How Things Change

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:24:22 +0000

Hi Lillie, I like the way you think. Would you consider being my propaganda minister when I take office?

Brad Shorrs last blog post..Do You Want to Win $500?

By: Lillie Ammann

Lillie Ammann — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:16:55 +0000

Brad, After you save the auto industry, you can just keep going from industry to industry. The more intervention, the more problems we'll have. As Robert says, you're sure to get elected with this platform, and you'll be guaranteed industries and businesses and organizations and interest groups and ... to save forever. So you could become dictator for life. Lillie Ammanns last blog post..Review of Dream or Destiny at Straight from Hel

By: @Stephen

@Stephen — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:57:06 +0000

Keep your eyes open for Directive 10-289, if that becomes policy I’m gonna get my posse and storm the barricades!

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:28:29 +0000

@Stephen, Methinks we are in for more insanity whatever road we go down with the automakers. The whole industry is so fouled up the only solution is a complete overhaul. Your idea and mine share that attribute. Down with half measures! Brad Shorrs last blog post..Do You Want to Win $500?

By: @Stephen

@Stephen — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:25:26 +0000

My own proposal is to make unions illegal, thus union contracts unenforceable, so that the car companies can stop paying union members to not work at building cars. There are thousands of union members sitting around, or doing small home-based biz, and getting paid anywhere from 60-95% of their weekly wage to not build cars!

That is insane!

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:26:31 +0000

Hey Brad, I agree with you! Took a phone call during that last message so didn't finish saying, yes this current crisis is the result of decisions (or lack therof) made decades ago. Bailouts clearly are not the optimal solution (look at the Airline industry) and as local Mayors have pointed out far too often the bailout ignores those most affected. There are no easy answers but I'll tell you I have never experienced living in a state that is literally crumbling before your eyes. Karen Swims last blog post..The Thief Who Stole November

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:01:59 +0000

Cath, Good catch. The government would probably have to pass another law banning the sale of cars for a year or two. Something like that would take care of it. Brad Shorrs last blog post..Do You Want to Win $500?

By: Brad Shorr

Brad Shorr — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:44:07 +0000

Hi Karen, We all have sympathy for workers affected by the situation (I hope), but the question is whether bailouts fix anything. Evidence points to the contrary. What I wish Michigan had done starting thirty years ago was diversify its economic base, rather than cling to a single industry obviously beset by nearly impossible systemic challenges. When I started working B2B in Chicago (about that many years ago), our local customers were 80-90% manufacturing. Today, the mix of business is around 20% manufacturing. Chicago attracted large scale distribution operations and corporate headquarters to the area - otherwise we would have been crushed. Not saying Michigan could have done the exact same thing or that Chicago doesn't have its problems, but diversification sure helps. Brad Shorrs last blog post..Do You Want to Win $500?

By: Cath Lawson

Cath Lawson — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:41:09 +0000

Hi Brad - that's not a bad idea. The only problem I can see is making folk sell the cars they already have, so they can buy American ones. Nobody would want to buy them if they weren't able to drive them. Cath Lawsons last blog post..Barrack Obama - A Leader In Twitter Use