Pragmatic Speak

Obamacide: Brain death resulting from too much ingestion of “the kool-aid“.

GM to Cut 250,000 Vehicles From 1Q Production

General Motors Corp. says it will cut another 250,000 vehicles from its first-quarter production schedule by temporarily closing 21 factories across North America.

Nothing wrong with that – makes perfect sense. If you aren’t selling the inventory – make fewer whatever.

Obama: Auto Executives ‘Tone Deaf’ to Concerns of Ordinary Americans

It’s a short article – but read it carefully. See if the words strike you the same way they did me. Where does this kind of “thinking” lead? Does it sound vaguely familiar?

There’s more here if you have the same reaction that I did.

This says it all in terms of why the auto-industry bailout is a total waste of money…

Big Three Auto Execs Flew in Luxury Jets to Seek Multibillion-Dollar Bailout

How can you plead poverty and beg for a loan – and fly to the meeting in your own private jet?

I’m willing to stipulate for the purposes of this post that the world is plagued by large/complex problems that cannot be easily solved – or where decisive action cannot be taken. I don’t happen to believe there as as many as others seem to think – but for now, let’s go with that.

So when a situation comes along where there s decisive action to be taken – and a way to solve the problem – why doesn’t the world, or even one or two countries – act?

Case in point – pirates & Somalia. They are getting more bold by the day – and no one seems to want to act decisively. Why not?

Anyone that’s advocating giving the automakers an money is showing their true colors (political not logical thinking) while also showing their ignorance.

You Can’t Save an Unsustainable Business Model by throwing money at it! You can only postpone the inevitable.

Big 3 Beg for Aid as Bailout Bill Stalls

Feinstein Urges Web Sites Not to Sell Scalped Inauguration Tickets

...gun enthusiasts nationwide are stocking up on firearms out of fears that the combination of an Obama administration and a Democrat-dominated Congress will result in tough new gun laws.

Gun Enthusiasts Stock Up on Firearms Over Fears of Dem Crackdown

That’s a logical reaction based on a reasonable expectation if you ask me.

This kind of thing just infuriates me. Look at the picture – and think about what this thing is supposed to do. And while you‘re at it – think about the “operating instructions” that most certainly come with it.

Feds Probe Yamaha Off Roader After 30 Deaths

Is anyone surprised at “30 deaths“? If you’ve seen these ATV‘ers in action – careening wildly through the woods – across fields – over obstacles – you know exactly what I mean. And I’ve seen kids too young to leave their yards without a parent bouncing all over creation in these things.

Sources: Detroit auto executives, UAW Chief to Meet with Pelosi to Discuss Government Funding

If that headline doesn’t scream waste of money I don’t know what does. The very thought of pouring billions of dollars into an unsustainable auto industry is absurd. It might make great politics – but it’s a mis-guided total waste of money.

The UAW (with the auto industry’s at least tacit approval), and the auto industry itself – dug this big hole – and the taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for it. You simply cannot sustain an industry with inflated pay and benefits driving up the cost of every vehicle being built – while building the wrong vehicles!