End the War on Freedom

I am not a big fan of the way the American big three have done business but I feel it is important to keep the facts straight. Out of the big three Ford is not in the current liquidity troubles as GM and Chrysler. Thats not to say that they are not having business problems but they are not requesting "immediate relief".

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hmm,ok...you don't want and you don't need

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As a libertarian, I'm curious myself, if you were to deduct the cost of federal regulation, environmental regulation and governmental support of the UAW from each domestic car, would the price per product be more competitive? Furthermore, calculate the amount of money paid in taxes and the money asked for by the domestic automakers. How does that pan out?

As a libertarian, I oppose the bailout, but it's disingenuous to pretend that the situation they find themselves in is completely their own fault. Ask yourself how the UAW got as much power as they have. Was it in any way influenced by government interference in the market?

Also, they've paid large amounts in federal and state taxes. Am I to assume every libertarian refused their rebate check or refuses to drive on public roads?

As I said, I oppose the bailout, there are rational, principled reasons against it, however, glib sarcasm and cheap jokes are a weak way to make a point. The quality of domestic cars is really not the problem. The inflated cost for their relatively poor quality is. No one complains about a Whopper that costs under $2, everyone complains when you charge $10 for a whopper. Ask yourself what makes up that cost and you'll find the story is more complex than "Van sucks! Booga Booga!" Frankly, the fed is culpable as well. Bust the UAW and relieve the oppressive regulation and the Detroit 3 may have a shot.

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[quote=beanie]As a libertarian, I'm curious myself, if you were to deduct the cost of federal regulation, environmental regulation and governmental support of the UAW from each domestic car, would the price per product be more competitive? Furthermore, calculate the amount of money paid in taxes and the money asked for by the domestic automakers. How does that pan out?

As a libertarian, I oppose the bailout, but it's disingenuous to pretend that the situation they find themselves in is completely their own fault.

The same tired old argument. In fact the `Big Three' have plenty of political power of their own - hence their ability to demand a bail out - and they have used government regulation as a barrier for entry to competitors. Do you think Japan has less in the way of environmental regulations and worker protection than the US? And yet Japan can ship cars across the ocean to America that are better value than indigenously produced cars.

Your argument on the surface seems plausible - but the devil is in the details.

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Are they not making cars and trucks in the US already? The regulations in Japan are irrelevant, I think.

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Interesting, go ahead and try to ship foreign made cars to Japan and see what happens.

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They don't sell (much).

Price/competitiveness/service/difficulty of getting parts/size (have you seen the roads here, they're *narrow*). Other than getting cars for status, i.e. BMWs/Volvos etc., there is little or no reason to purchase foreign brand cars in Japan *when locally built and branded cars are of superior quality in the first place*.

Japan's second hand market is also so reasonable (price v. quality) that second hand Jp cars are exported to Russia, India, Canada/US (less after import restrictions on those) and elsewhere.

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I think you should all get your facts straight. Try picking up a news paper and actually reading more than the head lines. The big 3 are asking for a loan not a bail out a L - O - A - N. A loan that will have to be paid back to the tax payers with considerable interest. They are not getting free money. Please remember Lee Iacoca borrowed money from the government for Chrysler back in the 80's and paid it back in less than a year. You're all so stupid you make my head hurt.

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Check out this webpage for some facts about the Big 3.

www.boycottalabamanow.com

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i agree with the stupid assessment. this picture itself is full of lies.

show me proof that japanese cars are any safer, cost affordable, or have better gas emissions

just check the facts. Japanese cars have become increasingly similar to american in all three.

the fact of the matter is, many people just have the feeling the foreign cars are better when in fact the differences are negligible aside from the fact that when you buy foreign you are sending your money overseas...

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To anonymus: sure, the reason japanese cars sell and the US cars doesn´t is that the US cars are better. Great logic. Also, you are depressingly lazy. "Show me"?! Google it for yourself.

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You can not fulfill the communist manifesto until you have broken the unions. Once this is accomplished the gubrment will be well on it's way.

1. abolition of private property.............
2. heavy progressive income tax............check
3. abolition of all rights of inheritance........(dissolved in home values and retirement accounts) check
4. confiscation of property of rebels and emigrants..........check
5. central bank..........check
6. government control of communications and transportation..........check
7. government ownership of factories and agriculture...........coming real soon.
8. corporate farms and regional planning..........
9. government control of education........check
10. government control of labor..............in the works

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The Toyota I drive was built in the US.

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My neighbor rides a large Honda touring motorcycle. He says that it has more American parts than a Harley Davidson. As a retired college professor and seemingly compulsive researcher, I doubt that he is wrong in this.

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