Tag: Automotive

She will be remembered for her multiple trips to Japan to meet with Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and other foreign car companies while the big three were gasping for breath back in the United States.

People will remember her political posturing and finger pointing at President Bush scolding him for not meeting with Ford, GM or Chysler.  All the while her administration never did the same and ignored the Big Three.

The image of her standing next to President Obama and smiling while his administration systematically took over and dismantled General Motors and Chrysler was shoved toward foreign ownership once again will be seared into the minds if Michigan residents for years to come.

The elimination of Pontiac and the sale of Hummer to a Chinese company will rest at her feet, along with hundreds of supplier bankruptcies.

The collusion between her and her Washington colleagues as they aggressively grilled automotive executives on national television while letting bank executives off the hook without so much as a press conference will be long remembered.  

The ousting of Michigan Congressman John Dingell from the House Energy committee and the subsequent announcement of higher CAFE standards as a result will be seared into the minds of former automotive industry workers, both blue collar and white.

Now that the federal government (actually, you and I as taxpayers) owns a majority stake in General Motors Corporation some things need to change, particularly when it comes to the UAW and politics.  For years they have been entrenched in the political process, particularly here in Michigan, at every level. Since these union members are now on the public dime a monumental adjustment needs to take place regarding the approach they take towards campaigns and campaign contributions.