With U.S. automakers struggling and seeking government aid in the form of another costly federal bailout, Barack Obama has a plan that would likely solve the problem forever. Hell, no more auto industry, no more problem, right?
While Obama said at a news conference last week that his top priority would be to stimulate the economy and create jobs, his advisers say that focus will not delay key shifts in social and regulatory policies, including some -- such as the embrace of new environmental safeguards -- that Obama has said will have long-term, beneficial impacts on the economy.
The president-elect has said, for example, that he intends to quickly reverse the Bush administration's decision last December to deny California the authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles. "Effectively tackling global warming demands bold and innovative solutions, and given the failure of this administration to act, California should be allowed to pioneer," Obama said in January.
California had sought permission from the Environmental Protection Agency to require that greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles be cut by 30 percent between 2009 and 2016, effectively mandating that cars achieve a fuel economy standard of at least 36 miles per gallon within eight years.
So here's the deal. Obama promises to stimulate the economy and create jobs, apparently by requiring already failing automobile makers to spend billions of dollars in research and development to comply with new, higher standards for fuel efficiency, all in the name of global warming alarmism. Oh, and screw consumer choice while we're at it.
If you think I'm being overly negative on the potential impact of one state changing it's fuel economy standards, let me point out that roughly 20% of all America-made automobiles are sold in California.
But just think of all the new jobs that will be created when 2.5 million auto workers are looking for employment. No doubt we'll be seeing that new car that runs entirely on peace and hope by the year 2012.
I had a conversation yesterday with a friend who comments under the name of "ed wojna." Ed is a moderate lefty, voted for Obama, and has worked in for General Motors at its plant in my hometown of Janesville, WI. We had a good give and take on the problems that have caused the auto industry in America to enter into hasty negotiations with the federal government to avoid a meeting with the Grim Reaper. I told him I would be against a bailout of the industry on principle. I believe the industry must prove it can prosper, or make the changes that will allow it to eventually prosper, or fail on its own.
I do not believe we should be making things harder for the industry than it already is by adding burdensome obstacles to success, however. But Barack Obama seems to be active in his opposition to the industry. It's as if he has chosen to represent the Grim Reaper's interests instead.
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