Last night there was a General Motors Executive on Hardball, explaining their debt and why a few billion dollars, from American taxpayers should save them. I don't know about you, but I've heard more than enough mumbo-jumbo, dog ate my homework, pleas from grossly overpaid executives who have run their businesses into the ground. Most of us would gladly be paid mega-millions in salary to lose billions of dollars for the business. How tough is that, especially when you get richer as you fail? That's a sweet gig and the litany of excuses from Detroit, struck me as more of the same. Of course there was talk of giving the taxpayers value for their investment. As GM goes forward, making more fuel efficient cars and becoming more competitive in the world, blah, blah, blah.
In a long standing tradition, I was grumbling to the television when my son called me. He caught the last bit of my railing at the American auto industry. "Half the problem is that the big three make crappy, gas guzzling cars." I said, with a huff. "No they don't, they make some of the best, fuel efficient cars out there." he replied. I was shocked. He's always been a smart boy, but this made me wonder about his current status. You're kidding, right? "Not at all, 40-70 mpg, without relying on a hybrid engine, is awesome." he shot back. My first thought was that he'd taken something that would involve the paramedics. Clearly he'd lost touch with rational thought and was suffering from a hit of something that had been stepped on.
"It's totally awesome, but American made cars aren't anywhere near that and all the hypothetical, good intentions doesn't count. What planet are you on?" He laughed, "The same planet, just a different continent. In Europe and Australia there are models on the road that get as much as 70 miles per gallon." We mothers aren't easily fooled and this one is especially tough to sell on unsubstantiated claims. "I don't believe it. Send me some links so I can see this for myself." I insisted. He laughed harder, "Sure, I'll even toss in a link to a Top Gear episode where three cars try to go 700 miles on a single tank of gas. One driver works to be as inefficient as he can, driving with the windows open and the A/C and seat warmers on high and even he got 40 mpg for the race." Seeing is believing.
These cars don't need to be developed; they are being made and sold now, by American car companies! All the big hoopla over the Prius with its 45 mpg on highway and the EU Chevy Matiz is rated at 67.3 mpg on the highway and 54.3 mpg combined!! If that's not enough to get your dander up, according to a CNN/Fortune report in October, they sell for a mere $10,000. If we need to reduce our fuel consumption, ease costs for consumers and strengthen our automobile industry, why aren't we building and buying those cars here? The only answer that makes sense is that we must be a Nation of idiots, being robbed.
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