Its payback time for Michigan, in my opinion.

[IdaBriggs]

Back in 1999, this article was written: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3012/is_1_179/ai_53663593

When Al Gore talks cars, the auto industry listens. But it's often with a worried ear. Automakers have never fully trusted America's Vice President, ever since his best-selling 1992 book, Earth in the Balance, called the automobile "a mortal threat to the security of every nation," supported tougher fuel-economy mandates and advocated a global industrial-ecology policy.

And Gore's proposed elimination of internal-combustion engines within 25 years is still cited by auto executives, engineers and labor-aligned politicians as a kind of Environmental Manifesto -- a clear warning of increased government regulation.

But Al Gore has an upside when it comes to cars. He spearheaded the creation of the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles, the U.S. government-industry collaboration to develop an 80-mpg, six-passenger vehicle by 2004. Widely praised by General Motors, Ford and Chrysler officials for its progress thus far, PNGV is part of what Gore calls "connecting economic growth and environmental protection, through innovation." That's the kind of vision industry leaders say they can do business with, even as they develop fuel-efficient technologies on their own. (snip)

Anyway, President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore poured a ton of money into the automakers back in the 90s, but as soon as the new (Junior) regime took over, it was back to the old way of doing business.

On a personal note, I attempted to organize a visit by Vice President Al Gore to talk to the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) back when "An Inconvenient Truth" first came out in 2007. Schedules couldn't be worked out (probably not surprising, considering how in demand the Vice President was at the time), but a good friend unofficially told me there were 'hard feelings' about how promises weren't kept by auto industry execs that wasn't helping the scheduling conflict. I'm not as politically astute as other folks out there, and I banged my head on the wall of thinking such an obvious good idea could be made to happen, before getting told that nagging/begging/pleading wasn't going to work.

Sigh. I have the utmost respect for all parties involved; the auto industry has provided the roof over my head/food in my stomach for most of my life (my father retired after 30 years at GM; my mother is a GM widow; my father-in-law is a retired teamer; my brothers, husband and myself all work within the industry; etc.).

Times change, but I think the spanking the auto industry is getting at the moment has a lot to do with some seriously broken promises made back the last time the Democrats were in charge.

Anyone else care to expand on the topic?

[msongs]

1. 1800's technology internal combustion engines must go ASAP - Al is right about that nt

[sandnsea]

2. We gave tax credits for diesel trucks and suvs

We created the market in the 90s and now Detroit is paying for what the government did.

[Windy]

3. I live in Detroit and I agree that the Auto industry brought this on themselves

They failed to look forward. They were only interested in turning immediate profit. The europeans and japanese beat them to the punch in getting out vehicles despite the fact that that the US automakers already had the technology. They were in bed with big oil for years. Big oil also served on their boards. I have a brother in law who works for GM in its developmental engineering department who still does not believe in global warming, but says that if its a means to get us off of foreign oil, he'll say that he believes in it. That is the mentality. They fought tough cafe standards for decades, as did the unions. they have no one to blame but themselves. Unfortunately, their poor business decisions have cost the citizens of this state and its associated industries. Hopefully things will turn around.

[SharonAnn]

4. And the Financial Industry brought this upon themselves, also. Why the difference?

Why the difference in treatment?

The "too big to fail" financial companies need to be broken up and sold off in manageable chunks. Top management needs to be removed. Any financial "restructuring" that relates to the auto industry should also relate to the financial industry. Perhaps in even stronger measures.

Also true of the Financial Industry "They failed to look forward. They were only interested in turning immediate profit. ... they have no one to blame but themselves. Unfortunately, their poor business decisions have cost the citizens of this state and its associated industries. Hopefully things will turn around."

So, why don't we get rid of their management? And cut the salaries and bonuses of their workers?

[Fran Kubelik]

5. thank you.

The fact is, if you decide to punish the car company executives, you punish nearly every resident of the state of Michigan.

[driver8]

8. Exactly!!

You have hit the nail on the head with your post.

I'm sure it has a lot to do with who contributes what to whom, but I'm just guessing.

It pisses me off that the financial companies are allowed to gamble with our money -- they don't share the profits when times are good, why should we bail them out when times are bad?

Fuck 'em...let them fail.

[Romulox]

9. Er, can you compare and contrast this with AIG and Citi? I knew you couldn't. nt

[Ganja Ninja]

6. Michigan has been getting the shaft since the late 60's.

In the 60's the government made a decision to try and shift military manufacturing to other states to try and eliminate poverty in the south. Government policies on trade have hurt Michigan more than any other state in the union.

It's time for the state leaders to start coming up with other ways to generate jobs and money for the people of Michigan rather than rely on restoring the manufacturing base. Not to sound like a one note Charlie but legalizing Marijuana, producing and taxing it would be one thing Michigan or any state with financial problems could do. And if the Feds complain they can point the finger right back at them for destroying the Michigan economy.

[The2ndWheel]

7. "connecting economic growth and environmental protection, through innovation."

:spray: