In fifth grade, I starred as the “pressured person” in our D.A.R.E. program’s finale play, clinching the famous line, “Just say no!” as my own.
Today, I find myself needing to repeat the phrase with just as much exclamation and a little more desperation. This time the “no” is not to drugs — goodness knows we could probably all use a little Valium at the moment — but the auto industry bailout.
The D.AR.E in this case would stand for Detroit Auto Rescue Evacuation. As we are told not to panic during these rough times, neither should our government.
Rescuing Ford, GM, and Chrysler may seem necessary at the moment but in the long term, it would be a gross mistake, not to mention a waste of taxpayer money.
Let’s be honest, it’s not the companies that are at the heart of people’s concerns, but those employed by them; therefore, it is perfectly understandable how difficult it would be to deny the loan when faced with the number of people that could possibly lose their jobs as a consequence.
However, this does not make granting the loan the correct decision.
These companies are dinosaurs, a dying breed that chose to stay the course creating cars that continue to support our dependence on foreign oil and heavily pollute our environment instead of adapting to the eco-conscious, alternative fuel technology of the future. That future is now.
If the loan is approved, it will merely act as a crutch, prolonging the inevitable. Americans have no money right now to invest in a new car but, if they did, I don’t see them investing it in the technology of the past. With no money coming in, bailout funds will not go far for long, especially with three CEOs who thought flying to D.C. in their own private company jets to ask the government for money was a good decision.
I wonder if the bailout money is expected to cover that company expense.
Bottom line is employees are going to continue to get laid off. The only jobs guaranteed are those at the top. The sooner the country comes to terms with the death of these companies, the better. With the illusion of possible economic miracles out of the way, the spotlight can now be directly focused on those that truly need help, the employees.
Instead of pumping money into the companies, we should pump it into unemployment. The unemployed should receive financial support to help cover basic bills, benefits, and education needs. Those that have been working for these companies for an extended period of time may need additional training to help secure another job.
In addition, if we want to aid our auto industry, which does not consist of only GM, Ford, and Chrysler, we should look into loaning or investing in the smaller, passionate, visionary companies that are working non-stop to create cars that help us environmentally and with our country’s goal of energy independence. These innovators are the future of the automobile industry.
If our government supports these companies — if Americans support these companies — jobs will follow.
Unfortunately, there is no quick easy transfer from the auto industry we know now to that of the future but, if we want to have a viable automobile industry, a competitive industry, we have got to view our current situation realistically and start making some tough choices.
- Alexandra Craig Frady, otherwise known as “Lady Frady”, is a contributor to The Desk.
1 Comment
December 4, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Amen! Thanks for posting. If there is a bailout… they need to set firm conditions for what is expected of them and how they’re to employ the funds. I’d like to see the failed current leadership get nixed for one. Their obsession with profits from vehicles like the Hummer? Come on. And I remember those awkward roleplays from D.A.R.E…. urg.
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