Over a dozen other states joined them in creating their own unique fuel economy regulations and simultaneously threatened to cripple or kill Michigan's automobile manufacturers and their suppliers.  Fourteen or fifteen different regulations could require as many as fourteen or fifteen different production models of each vehicle.  At a time when the Big 3 are hemorrhaging cash and relying on taxpayer funded bailouts to even cover expenses, the prospect of retooling and reequipping to meet these new regulations hangs over hundreds of thousands of Michigan jobs like the angel of death himself.

President Bush did the industry a major solid when he scuttled the California plan and it's confederates in 2007 but President Obama yesterday signaled in no uncertain terms his willingness and intention to make good on his campaign rhetoric, breaking up the one-nation standard and tossing Michigan UAW workers to the wolves.  The Grand Rapids Press tracked down the local angle for their morning edition:

...Auto industry supplier Jim Zawacki, owner of Grand Rapids Spring and Stamping, said the issue should remain at the federal level so there would be a single national standard -- a position backed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

Zawacki said requiring automakers to build cars that get more miles to the gallon is a lofty goal, but would further hurt the crippled auto industry.

"(Car makers) have got it tough enough already," Zawacki said. "Give them a little breathing room until we come out of this recession."

Job makers and the Democratic Governor weren't the only ones who gave the President a big frowny face yesterday, either.

The move was met with skepticism by Granholm and Michigan lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, and Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow.

All said the country -- and the struggling auto industry -- needs a strong single national standard instead of a confusing "patchwork" set of rules.

What the UAW is about to learn the hard way is what Republicans started coming to grips with last November- Elections have consequences.  

The moral of the story, to what could very well be the final and fatal detriment to a significant plurality of Michigan's work force... when you work feverishly, give generously and vote enthusiastically for a candidate who promises to put a bullet in the back of your job's skull, don't be surprised when he lifts the barrel and slides his finger to the trigger.

The good news is, Democrats control the White House and the State House so after they're done blowing away the middle class they'll no doubt get to work, feverishly, to expand that proverbial social safety net.  Why do for yourself what big government can do for you?  Especially when they don't give you any other choice.