Detroit Bets Its Future On Washington

This title is the title of an article in the Wall Street Journal in the weekend edition (Jan 24-25, 2009). Here we go again. As if I already couldn't stand GM and its attitude, here comes another article that just disgusts me. The article refers to the close of the International Auto Show in Detroit. The author, Shikha Dalmia and Henry Payne, suggest that this might be a "watershed year" in Detroit because the auto industry is going to have to craft its central plan in a way to serve the governmental agenda instead of their own agenda, the agenda of ordinary car buyers, and, of course, the unions.

The article states now that GM is taking government welfare that it must redo its business plans to include the "environmental and industrial policies priority" of the federal government. One funny part of this is that GM was recently protesting the green mandates from the federal government and "Vice Chairman Bob Lutz (GM) called global warming a 'total crock' and declared that hybrids make 'no economic sense.'" Wow--what a change of heart all in order to remain viable. I guess it is easier to accept welfare than it is to fight unions, go into Chapter 11 bankruptcy, or get rid of dealerships.

When I hear of situations like this I just want to throw up. GM can't or won't help themselves, so the taxpayer is going to foot the bill. Damn!