Conservatives Blame CAFE Standards For Auto Industry’s Troubles
Conservatives Blame CAFE Standards For Auto Industry’s Troubles
As the CEOs of Detroit’s Big Three automakers pleaded for a $25 billion bailout from Congress this week, conservatives have been looking for an easy culprit to blame for the auto industry’s seeming collapse. First it was the unions. Now conservatives have turned their attention to the modest fuel economy (CAFE) standards — fleetwide average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020 — imposed in last year’s Energy Independence and Security Act. Last night on Fox News, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney echoed other conservatives in pointing the finger at the fuel economy changes:
– MITT ROMNEY: Well, government did [cause a lot of this]. There’s no question but that the CAFE standards have put an unusual burden on the domestic automobile manufacturers. And our energy policies as a country continue to put burdens on domestic manufacturers. That’s just — that’s reality. [11/19/08]
– WILLIAM KRISTOL: Well, one problem with the auto industry is we have been telling them how to operate an awful lot, you know, in terms of CAFE standards and other things, probably which should not have been most — may have been the most — not the most intelligent way to help that industry. [11/16/08]
– SEAN HANNITY: They [the government] — you know, between the unions, between trade policy, safety standards, CAFE standards, you know, economy, fuel economy standards, they’re forcing these auto companies to be in a position where they’re not as competitive. [11/14/08]
Watch it:
Last year’s stonewalling attempts by the auto industry notwithstanding, improving fuel economy is not difficult for the Big Three. As the Sierra Club explained in 2006, “The technology exists today to make all new vehicles average 40 miles per gallon within ten years.” A 2002 report by the Board on Energy and Environmental Systems of the National Research Council found that technologies existed then that “would significantly reduce fuel consumption within 15 years” — technologies that manufacturers were “already offering or introducing” in overseas markets.
What’s more, those existing technologies would hardly bankrupt the auto industry. NPR reported that technologies to raise fuel-efficiency “to around 33 mpg across the fleet pay for themselves within three to four years.” Indeed, Tom Cole of the Center for Automotive Research, said that with only about $1,000 worth of changes, “a conventional, gas-powered car could go 25 percent farther on a single gallon of gas.” The Union of Concerned Scientists designed its own highly efficient SUV comparable to the Ford Explorer that doubled its fuel economy (from 17 mpg to 30 mpg). The lifetime fuel savings paid back the additional technology cost of $2,560 in less than three years.
The auto industry’s problems have far more to do with the lack of universal health care in America than they do with fuel economy requirements. For General Motors, health care costs add $1,525 to the price of every car that leaves the lot; the company estimates that it spent $5.2 billion on health care benefits in 2004, more than it paid for steel.
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?????. That's Bukkake, Republican-style, and we're seeing a massive facialing of the American autoworker courtesy of the GOP and their standing in the way of an auto industry bailout.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:30 pmConservatives Blame CAFE Standards For Auto Industry’s Troubles»
- - Uh huh. How'd those CAFE standards adversely affect Honda and Toyota?
November 20th, 2008 at 5:34 pmThese rich B's make me sick.
The auto companies coulda shoulda done so much in previous years because the handwriting was on the wall.
Now they are blaming everyone else, except the guilty parties = it's the unions, it's the CAFE standards, it's pensioners, it's health care -- whatever.
The buck never stops on the desks of the guys in charge.
Harry Truman must have taken that desk with him when he left.
I agree entirely with TP's an- alysis here.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:35 pmRomney, Kristol and Hannity, et al. can go foch themselves.
Here are some unplesant facts. Firstly, the Europeans make cars with better gas mileage than we do. Secondly, their car companies are Unionised. Thirdly, they've got better health care systems than we do. Finally, they don't subsidise their car industries. Question, which car manufacturers actually make a real profit? The Europeans. Why? Because they look at their industry and make intelligent, well thought out plans for the Future. I'll OK a bailout of the American auto industry, but with just one condition. All the Upper and Upper Middle managers GO! No golden parachutes, no severance packages; there's the door, don't let it hit you in the ass on the way out. The one and Only exception would be if there was some courageous maniac who'd been putting his a*s and his reputation on the line within the firm and pleading for intellinent action in the face of entrenched corporate insanity. Our automobile indistry's been investing in idiocy and now its payback time. Time for their management to take one for the team!
November 20th, 2008 at 5:35 pmImpeach, while There's Still Time!
When does the third act of this dark comedy begin?
Act I Blame unions
Act II Blame government
Act III Bain Capital buys remnants of Big 3 auto firms at fire sale prices. They garner billions in matching Treasury funds. The first thing they do is shift health care and retirement benefits to employees. The second is implement executive compensation equal to Treasury funds.
Plays closes with mass corporafornication. All persons in attendance at the theater leave with empty wallets and purses.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:37 pmYeah, cuz lord knows nobody buys cars anymore. Especially not the well-built fuel-efficient variety.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:38 pm"the lack of universal health care"....which I have been saying all along.
My corvette gets 27 mpg, they sure as heck can make a regular car get 35.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:38 pm– MITT ROMNEY: And our energy policies as a country continue to put burdens on domestic manufacturers.
Crusades on behalf of oil companies are very burdensome.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:38 pmI see the Republican plan now, support anything that does extreme damage to the future of America. That'll play well with Independents I'm sure.....
November 20th, 2008 at 5:40 pmSean Hannity has his head so far up his ass, I'm surprised he isn't choking on the hairball in his throat.
They killed the electric car. 'Nuf said about that.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:41 pmOoh, I know what to do! Deregulate everything. That always works! Right? Right?
Would it be too much to ask for the Republicans to actually go back to a drawing board somewhere before they open their misbegotten flytraps again?
November 20th, 2008 at 5:43 pmThere is only one step needed to improve the economy of the auto fleet. Smaller engines.
Smaller engines require less supporting structure. That results in a net weight savings without sacrificing safety. Smaller engine+lighter structure=better mileage. It's really that simple.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:47 pmAnd. Mitt is wasting his time. The "True Christians" of the GOP will never endorse a Mormon for Prez. They might accept him as a running mate for the Huckster of Bible Spice but, never as the top of a ticket.
November 20th, 2008 at 5:48 pmDidn't someone from the Wall Street Journal blame the "War on Christman"?
I think the Ghost of Credit Past came to remind Wall Street investment bankers of their sins. It turned out to be The Reaper and he's an indiscriminate soul taker.
Housing
November 20th, 2008 at 5:52 pmAuto's
Retail
Pension funds
Whenever industry execs either screw up through stupidity OR flat out corruption there is a parade of rightwing propaganda pushers blaming whatever regulation is handy. Its ludicrous. For the right though such attacks are religious dogma and need no factual support it is true because they SAY its true
November 20th, 2008 at 5:54 pmRight, Mitt.
Asking for a Suburban or a Hummer to get more than 10 miles per gallon around the city is practically unpatriotic! Certainly leftist, and maybe Marxist. And certainly an industry killer.
The US auto industry has, in the largest sense, dug their own grave on this one with vehicles such as the Suburban and Hummer. How long can the consumer last when is was costing $75 to $100 to fill up a tank on every visit.
It is interesting that the European counterparts of Ford and GM have already engineered and manufactured much more efficient vehicles across the pond - some I would like to see brought into this country.
Ship over some of those already build, quite attractive, cutting edge designed, and fuel efficient vehicles, and they just might sell something!
November 20th, 2008 at 5:56 pm– SEAN HANNITY: They [the government] — you know, between the unions, between trade policy, safety standards, CAFE standards, you know, economy, fuel economy standards, they’re forcing these auto companies to be in a position where they’re not as competitive.
Uh, Sean... you forgot Teh Gays, Illegal immigrants and abortion-on-demand. Surely those evildoers must have had a hand in the auto industry's demise as well, hm?
November 20th, 2008 at 6:05 pmHow can we compete with foreign auto manufacturers in countries where they have national health programs and we don't?.
We are the only country in the whole industrialized world that does not have a national health program for our citizens.
It is not just car makers who are affected by health cost, but many other manufacturers in other industries.
As a result, many of these industries are leaving USA to other countries.
Bankers were not subjected to the same scrutiny as auto makers.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:11 pmPaulson,the Congress and the Senate seem to apply a double standard policy when it comes to auto industry and
Wall Street firms & bankers.
Did you all see the documentary
"who killed the electric car?"
You would strangle the CEOs of the big 3 who come now with their hat in hand looking for a handout -- and you would choke the oil company CEOs with them.
They are an example of mutual greed, aiding one another.
Who is it that gets it in the neck? The worker and the retiree. The fat cats took care of themselves and continue to do so.
Who offered $15K to corporations who leased Hummers for their execs? Who continued to advertise cars because of "sex appeal" and "machismo"?
These mfrs. should all have to pay back their salaries/bonuses, turn in their jets, and go to work for a living. Perhaps in the same factories, only now they'd be on the line.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:12 pmI stop short of seeing the companies go belly-up because of the hundreds of thousands of people who will be our of work, and the hundreds of thousands more who will lose their current pension and healthcare.
This is a vivid illustration of why Government By Republicans doesn't work.
They're not interested in actually anlyzing problems to determine the best course of action, because their precious belief system might be indicted.
Witness Sarah Palin's answer to a question on climate change:
"I'm not going to solely blame all of man's activities on changes in climate because the world's weather patterns are cyclical, and over history we have seen changes there. But it kinda doesn't matter at this point in the debate what caused it. The point is it's real; we need to do something about it."
Y'know, it kinda doesn't matter at this point WHAT a Republican says in public. It's bound to be stupid either way.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:12 pmConservatives went along fairly easily with the bailout for the finance companies. We now see that the banks and finance companies have NOT used the billions they have received for its intended purpose (but they continue their extravagant lifestyles and bonuses).
November 20th, 2008 at 6:16 pmNow they are totally against the automakers -- they will use every excuse in the book, but the real reason is that this will break the UAW - that is the goal of the conservatives, apparent since Reagan's time.
I've got one word for all these idiots: PRIUS
The single most idiotically made-up word ever, and butt-ugly to boot. Looks like a suppository. But you know what? 51.3 MPG on my 55 mile per day round-trip commute. And if I hadn't had to ship it all the way from Japan on a fossil fuel-burning ship it might have cost me less and have an over-all smaller carbon foot print.
Man oh man. The next few years are gonna be fun. Buckle up boys. There's a new Sheriff in town and his name is Waxman.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:16 pmYeah, well, crap, those damn *salaries* we have to pay!! They're breaking our backs!!!
If we could just re-legalize slavery -- look at how much money we could save!!
(The above was brought to you by Snarktastic Productions, Inc.)
November 20th, 2008 at 6:25 pmEuropean and Japanese car makers demonstrate that this theory is utter nonsense.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:27 pmMitt: "My dad saved AMC in the 50's, so I'm an expert on how to save the entire auto industry in the '00s!"
By the way, where is AMC anyways? Haven't seen 'em around.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:27 pmVerbalkint: "European and Japanese car makers demonstrate that this theory is utter nonsense."
So do the American companies. They just don't talk about it. The Buick Opal gets over 40 mpg, but they only sell it in Europe. Figure that out.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:33 pmRe 25:
The last car AMC made was the Pacer....The prototype for that one was the egg that mork from Ork drove. So of course mittens knows cars.
And we all know the solution to this problems is...Tax cuts for the rich!!!!!
November 20th, 2008 at 6:34 pmSure nuff they need to tell the execs to pack up and go dont go away mad just go without ur stock options esecive saleries ect ect and go aww hell go away mad who tha hell cares.....and this just in dingle out waxman in
November 20th, 2008 at 6:34 pmdingle has been in the pocket of the big 3 and oil for years and now mabey waxman can start to get things done now that the wall has come down that hide the BS the big 3 have thrown up
PUBLIC!....the idea is to use MORE gas,and sell MORE oil...opps, did I let the cat out of the bag? Nevermind.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:50 pm#22,
Sorry, but I don't want a soulless Prius. That thing bores me just by looking at it, and didn't the Japanese government subsidize its development?
What's wrong with having a little fun while driving? With Waxman chairing the energy and commerce committee, I fear that the fun would be wiped out of driving.
#7 is right, V8 motors can be fuel efficient, too, and universal health care would be a great idea. It won't cure all of the domestics' ills, but it would be a good start.
November 20th, 2008 at 6:50 pm#30,
The soul doesn't come from the factory. That's an after market add in.
If we bail out detroit we'd basically be subsidizing fuel-inefficient cars. That's quite a different thing than what the Japanese have done.
Believe me, I don't take an pride in how the Prius looks. I don't even like the color of mine but I took the first one the dealer had available and regret it not one bit. That said: I'd rather have a lighter version of a '64 Lincoln with suicide doors with today's safety technology underneath and in the dash with a plug-in hybrid engine. That would be my dream moe-sheen.
Lovers of big ol' V-8's should check out what Neil Young has done with his Lincoln. Lincvolt.com
November 20th, 2008 at 7:04 pmROTFL!! What a STUPID CLAIM!!! If CAFE had been updated, then Detroit wouldn't have been making fuel inefficient crap that bottomed out when gas became expensive! Talk about missing the point! Wow, the GOP really does live with their heads fully up their *sses!
November 20th, 2008 at 7:12 pmWell... japanese and korean auto makers follow stricter rules than CAFE's and they're eating the USA automakers diner...
November 20th, 2008 at 7:15 pmI LIKE the aerodynamic appearance of the Prius.
November 20th, 2008 at 7:19 pmMine is 18 months old, and at 50mpg, I couldn't be happier.
Randi Rhodes, Nova-M radio talk show host, just suggested that Senator Sessions (R-AL) is trying to protect foreign auto manufacturers in Alabama. These include Japanese, Korean and German car manufacturers. Nice to see Republicans standing up for American jobs. With our automobile manufacturing facilities being outsourced overseas, how will be able to make tanks in time of war? Oh, the Chinese will be happy to make tanks for us, when we are confronting them (the Chinese)... End of Republican fairy tales...
November 20th, 2008 at 7:23 pmferrarimanf355 Says:
What’s wrong with having a little fun while driving? With Waxman chairing the energy and commerce committee, I fear that the fun would be wiped out of driving.
If you want fun then get a motorcycle.
November 20th, 2008 at 7:27 pmMy Shadow ACE 750 gets 60-65 mpg and it sure is fun to ride.
It saved my pocketbook when gas was $4 a gallon.
#31,
Yeah, I'm aware of Neil Young's car there, but what he suggested to save the auto industry is crazy, to say the least.
November 20th, 2008 at 7:42 pmMittens needs to wrap his smarmy, lying lips around a great big exhaust pipe and just suck!
Oh, and since you haven't been running for Prez for over a year, how many of those five sons of yours have enlisted to serve the country that only you and your fellow GOPers love so well?
Didn't think so...
PEACE
November 20th, 2008 at 7:53 pm#36,
Sorry, but I'm not a motorcycle rider. I can't keep a two-wheeler upright at such a high speed.
November 20th, 2008 at 8:01 pmIf CAFE really hurts American automakers, how come their Asian competitors seem to be doing ok?
I wonder what that means.... hhhmmmm...
November 20th, 2008 at 8:57 pmSean Hannity is an idiot who needs to be punched in the face.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:13 pmWhile the Japanese government was providing government-insured public health care for all their auto workers (thus making Japanese models much more competitive price-wise because Japanese automakers didn't have to pass health care costs onto their car buyers, since the Japanese with their own universal health-care plan took care of that cost as a whole), the Republicans and conservatives in the U.S., with their privatization get-rich-quick schemes coupled with their insane propaganda that our democratic government is bad, saddled American workers with health-care through private, for-profit insurers, driving up health-care costs, which of course led to higher U.S. automobile prices, making U.S. models less competitive price-wise against foreign government subsidized auto manufacturers.
Then, to add insult to injury, these Republicans/conservatives started outsourcing as much of our auto industry as possible, to lower-wage, lower-standard-of-living second- and third-world countries, in an attempt to bring U.S. auto prices down, to be more competitive, when all that was necessary was for our government to provide universal health-care for all U.S. citizens, including U.S. auto workers.
It's really simple after one realizes how disastrous Republican/conservative policies have been and are for our nation, and all the Faux News spin in the world won't change this, especially as more and more American citizens realize how insane Republican/conservative policies really are.
Republicans view our federal government as being for the few, not the many...while Democrats (non-Blue Dogs, that is) view our federal government as being for the many, not just the few.
The Republicans attitude is exactly what one finds in Banana Republics...where the few profit at the expense of the many...with cronyism running rampant...with usually only 10 to 20 percent of the elite in the Banana Republic controlling everything, leaving 80 to 90 percent of their fellow citizens in poverty.
I recognize what the Republican's/conservative's attitude really entails and what their true goal is for our liberal democracy...and it ain't pretty.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:38 pmOr maybe Mittens, it's those private jets that they flew in on, hat in hand, for a bailout?
November 20th, 2008 at 9:42 pmYeah those unsold Hummoungesers Canyoneros really suck when you're trying to get gas mileage standards...
November 20th, 2008 at 9:51 pmferrarimanf355--you again?
Ok, if you want a fancy fast car for what ever reason trips your trigger, then come up with a flex-fuel way to get it.
The cars we have now are as they are because of the technology put towards environmental design-not much compared to the way it should be. Until then, we have to use the technology we have and the products that result. I want nice clothes and tennis shoes but I did my research so that I do not get them made by child-labor or sweatshop buys.
Buying gas sucking vehicles only makes them make more gas sucking vehicles.
Or perhaps you can convert those cars you like to run on vegetable oil?
November 20th, 2008 at 9:57 pmYeah, the CAFE standards were to blame - that's why the resale value of SUVs has hit the bit bucket - because their gas mileage is too high.
And if they got 50% lower mileage, Humvees would still be in hot demand.
November 20th, 2008 at 10:12 pmWaste of skin would be a compliment to these despicable individuals.
These self-same conservatives in concert with their Detroit big wheel pals have pulled out the stops in recent years to prevent CAFE standards' improvement. All in the name of protecting The Big Three.
Nice one.
With his father being the ex-AMC chairman, you'd think that Mitt would have some insight into the car business. But as with everything Mitt does, knowledge and reality take a backseat to political necessity.
What a d*ck.
-AF
November 20th, 2008 at 10:47 pmAndrew Sullivan Is A Fraud
Here's what they really mean:
1. It's not conservatives' fault.
2. It's not the automakers' fault.
3. It's the government's fault.
4. Screw the unions. Oh, and it's their fault too.
5. Americans are bad for not wanting our stupid cars.
6. Screw millions of Americans dependent on the auto industry.
7. Screw reality.
8. Screw the environment.
9. It's not our fault.
-AF
November 20th, 2008 at 11:01 pmAndrew Sullivan Is A Fraud
Read an article in yesterday's paper from Cal Thomas, in which he blames the UAW for the automakers' woes.
He also says that one thing that would help the industry is to build more fuel efficient cars, and that the government could help out by removing regulations that are hampering this effort. He goes on to say that Ford builds and sells a diesel car overseas that gets 65 mpg, but that they will not sell it in America because they claim the environmentalists are to blame for high diesel taxes and low diesel fuel capacity.
Gee, Cal, until recently I sure as hell didn't see any of the Big 3 having problems selling diesel trucks here in America. And I do believe that Volkswagen sells a fine car here with a turbo diesel engine -- the Jetta -- that gets between 9 to 11 mpg better than its gasoline-powered version.
Perhaps, instead, it's a fact that until gas hit $4 a gallon, most Americans just weren't interested in ultra high mpg machines. Sure, Ford could have flooded the market with these 65 mpg wonders, but would anyone have purchased them? No...instead they'll buy up all the Ford F-150s they can get their hands on, to the tune of almost a million a year for many years, and use them as daily drivers.
November 21st, 2008 at 12:32 amthey'd probably blame Gay people if they could...
November 21st, 2008 at 12:40 am#45,
Ok, if you want a fancy fast car for what ever reason trips your trigger, then come up with a flex-fuel way to get it.
Okay, the 2010 Mustang is a hybrid. It burns gas AND rubber. Don't tell me what cars I should be lusting after.
Next!
November 21st, 2008 at 1:41 amRepublicans shouldn't be allowed to run anything.
Repulicans and thier twisted ideology are a danger to America and the world!
November 21st, 2008 at 2:03 amblue state bob Says:
Sean Hannity is an idiot who needs to be punched in the face.
You forgot to say hard.
Sean Hannity is an idiot who needs to be punched in the face hard!!
November 21st, 2008 at 2:07 amThey don't need CAFE standards, they need MIL SPECS!
1.) build engines that can replace engines
a.) For running on hydrogen splitters (e.g. resistant to rust)
b.) For running on Bio
c.) For running on Electricity
d.) For running on Alcohol
2.) any new cars, trucks built must be
a.) fast
b.) cheap
c.) not stupid looking
d.) easy to fix
3.) Safety
a.) adding thousands of pounds is not an option
b.) if the fuel powering the vehicle is sustainable and free, then weight can approach infinity.
4.) Perks
a.) no more
b.) sell the jets
c.) travel coach
5.) Profit
a.) no stock
b.) the people (taxpayers) own the machines (We already paid $25 billion for it)
c.) if china want's to buy them they buy the ideas, not the machines.
d.) no part of the machine will be dis-assembled and sold to a foreign country.
6.) Discipline
a.) rehire labor that already worked there
b.) ban foreign visa's
c.) CEO's are gone. PERIOD.
d.) Public oversight, Open Books, Transparent Value
7.) Technology
November 21st, 2008 at 4:32 ama.) Tesla Motors
b.) Hydrogen Technology (NOT THE STORAGE TANK SHIT)
c.) Alcohol
e.) Electrical
f.) Start-ups that have good ideas are to colaborate
I also add a note:
November 21st, 2008 at 4:37 amThe Hydrogen Powered Car, by inventor Stan Meyers; BE TRACKED DOWN and REVERSE ENGINEERED.
Can anyone explain why the media continue to diproportionately aired the opinions and comments of Republicans and neo-conservatives? Didn't the last election put them in a definitive minority?
November 21st, 2008 at 6:28 amFCUK THE REPUBLICANS.
THE PARTY FOR THE BRAIN-DEAD IS FINALLY DYING.
AND FCUK THE BIG 3.
THEIR ONLY CONCERN HAS BEEN PROFITS AT THE EXPENSE OF PLANNING REALISTICALLY FOR THE FUTURE.
LIKE THE IDIOTS IN WASHINGTON.
FCUK THEM ALL AND FEED EM FISH HEADS.
November 21st, 2008 at 8:41 amExcuse me, but it is the LACK of higher CAFE standards that is precisely responsible for the mess U.S. automakers suddenly find themselves in.
Backlogged with *fleets* of gas-guzzling SUV's that no one wants as gas prices soared and pollution becomes a greater concern to Americans, the lack of higher CAFE standards and Government mandates is *exactly* why they are in this mess.
Clinton Administration had them. Bush repealed them.
Can anyone say, "DEREGULATION"?
(Some 45+ MPGs cars you may not know about.)
November 21st, 2008 at 9:08 amLet me get this straight. They GIVE money to the rich, the ones who got us into this mess. No strings attached, go get massages, merge with other banks, DO NOT LEND money.
Now, Main Street needs to hang on to jobs and they are told they MIGHT get a LOAN, IF they can write an essay on how they can become the opposite of what they always have been.
To add insult to injury, you have Bozo's like Romney who say it is the fault of the Union! Exactly how did the Union members get the Big 3 to make incredibly poor and wasteful choices for decades?
November 21st, 2008 at 11:02 amferrarimanf355 Says:
Okay, the 2010 Mustang is a hybrid. It burns gas AND rubber. Don’t tell me what cars I should be lusting after.
You might do yourself a favor and stop LUSTING after cars, period.
November 21st, 2008 at 12:21 pmWhat the Big 3 need to do is move into the 21st century. Just like the GOP, the Big 3 are still using a 20th century mindset. They should have stepped up their game, when we started allowing foreign cars in this country, but they were to full of themselves to see that they were being outflanked.
November 21st, 2008 at 1:17 pm#60,
You might do yourself a favor and stop LUSTING after cars, period.
That'll happen when I'm dead, pal. I like to have fun while driving.
November 21st, 2008 at 4:03 pmHave fun Frances. Oh sorry have fun Cruiser
November 21st, 2008 at 4:15 pmFerrarimanf355 Says:
That’ll happen when I’m dead, pal. I like to have fun while driving.
Yee haw! Me too, Daisy Duke! But most of all I like to have a horn that blows "Dixie."
November 21st, 2008 at 6:33 pmGod dammit, that report abuse button sure is useless...
November 22nd, 2008 at 12:22 pmferrarimanf355
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 pmWho's hassling you? Just let me know and me and the boys will see to it that they just "keep their meat hooks off" you. Take care my brother...
dbadass,
Post #64. Thanks.
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:56 pmYou know, Ferrari Man, I'd probably find it fun in some way to dynamite the hell out of a mountain to get some coal. But if I thought about it, I'd probably realize that in the long run it's a bad idea.
So, I have come up with some suggestions to help you overcome your car lust.
1. Take up bobsledding or luge
2. Play video games (I'm guessing you already do that)
3. Start volunteering with patients in respiratory therapy
4. Go visit the Arctic next summer on a helicopter tour and look for drowning polar bears
5. Get a free sample of Extenze (I saw it on TV last night)
6. (And this will come naturally with time) Graduate from high school---life changes after that, and so do your priorities
With love,
November 22nd, 2008 at 2:13 pmBHL
When I used to work as a low-wage peon for a service call center partly owned by GM, 1-2 times a year, we would be given a special briefing about voluntary letters to write to Congresspeople (on company computers during the worktime) protesting any CAFE standards extension to SUVs,vans, etc.
November 22nd, 2008 at 4:03 pmWe were given all sorts of quotes by GM bigwigs to parrot...
When several of us asked what additional pay for these additional duties was going to be given, they stopped the practise at work & asked us to do it at home...
We never heard anything more after someone left the anonymous comment in the cafeteria, "Let the GM bigwigs who believe such nonsense do the dirty work of lobbying blatant lies...That's why they pay themselves millions, while we get pennies for trying to do an honest job here..."
Wait, I'M awaiting moderation, yet #68 isn't? Huh? Why is the guy teasing me getting away with it?
November 23rd, 2008 at 11:41 amFerrari Man,
I'm merely making a point that I find your concern with hotrods shallow. I think we've got bigger fish to fry than worrying about your dreaded "econoboxes."
Got a problem with it? Then respond to me---don't whine to the moderators.
I have nothing against you, personally. But I do believe that excess American consumerism and worship of (and lust for) material things such as automobiles cripples us as a society and as a planet. Before you hit the red button again, RESPOND to my criticism or give it up.
Sincerely,
November 23rd, 2008 at 9:03 pmBHL
Well, you can do better than mock me.
November 24th, 2008 at 9:55 am