Guest Post: An Appeal For Our Friends in Michigan
From Don Kellogg, Democrat from Ridgway, CO
I moved to Colorado from Michigan last July after working almost 40 years in the auto industry. I left behind tens of thousands of families laid off from Ford, GM and Chrysler, many thousands of whom also lost their homes. The first thing that hit me here in SW Colorado was the overwhelming presence of foreign cars and trucks. It was like Colorado was another country – detached from Americans suffering in the heartland.
What was particularly distressing was that many of the ToyoNissHondarus were decorated with bumper stickers that clearly represented Progressive causes. As a lifelong Democrat, I was glad to see that. But why were they pasted on foreign, mostly Asian, cars and trucks?
Which brings me to the point of my appeal. There is almost no Asian vehicle that doesn’t have a GM, Ford or Chrysler counterpart. In the past, there was a clear quality reason to buy foreign. But that, based on many surveys, is no longer true. But rather than use persuasion, let me instead appeal to the Democrat in you.
There is probably no group more loyal to the Democratic Party than U.S. autoworkers – members of the UAW and other unions. Most would sooner cut off their right arm than vote Republican. When you buy a foreign vehicle, these are the folks that lose their livelihood. You say your Toyota is built in the U.S.? Maybe. But it wasn’t built with union labor. In fact, you’re playing directly into the hands of the Southern Red States who have enticed foreign auto plants with huge tax subsidies and NO UNION LABOR.
Another point worth stating is that even if your Nissan was built is the U.S., the design and testing was most likely done overseas. The parts were probably bought from an Asian-based supplier that set up shop in the South. And the profits flow back to Japan.
Which brings me to my most critical point. The future of the auto industry undoubtedly lies in plug-in hybrids, fuel cells or some other new technology. Profits are the engines that enable companies to fund research. If you want the U.S. to be the transportation technology leader and create jobs for our children, buying American is essential. Helping Toyota skim huge profits from the U.S. to send back to Japan only guarantees future Japanese jobs.
My closing point is that, love it or hate it, the Prius is built in Japan. When you buy one, no U.S. jobs (other than at the Toyota dealer) are created. And another Union worker (and fellow Democrat) loses his/her job. Consider this: the General Motors hybrid bus program has saved more fossil fuel than all the Priuses ever sold. And with limited to no profits, GM is acknowledged by many to be ahead of Toyota in the race to plug-in hybrids and fuel cells.
As Democrats, let’s help them out!
February 16th, 2008 at 8:10 am
The U.S. needs to catch up in quality and green gas mileage. I believe in free AND fair trade. Whether we like it or not, we are a big world and we have to make sure we can compete by making sure other countries treat workers fairly or our companies can’t go there and we don’t buy from there. We can’t protect ourselves with poor workmanship. Never have and never will.
February 20th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Pat,
I agree we need to support Michigan. But lets be realistic, GM developed electric
and hybrid technology and fell behind when it stopped being the leader in the developement
of this technology. If you watch the documentary “Who Killed the Electric Car” one
can see that when the Republican’s took control in 2000 GM,Ford and other Michigan
companies wrote off being the lead with this technology. I have always bought American
until 2003 when I purchased a Honda Civic Hybrid. I waited for a year for GM or Ford
to produce a compatable vehicle, that can get 45-50 mpg but as of yet there is not a
American made vehicle that can do so. I am going to purchase a pickup soon and I would
hope I can buy an American made pickup that can compete with mpg and serviceability.
Lets face it, Detroit itself was more worried about it’s immediate bottom line then taking
care of its workers and produce vehicles that could compete in the future American markets.
Toyota has gained a lion share of the American market and I believe that fault lies with
the executives at GM and Ford.
February 25th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Thomas -
If you’re planning to buy a pickup, there’s only one choice - and it’s American. GM is selling hybrid trucks with mileage no other pickup can touch. And GM pickups are considered by almost evey enthusiast to be the best on the market. Proudly built in Michigan and Indiana.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:35 am
Don,
I appreciate your opinion. As Americans we should all be concerned about how
and what we purchase will affect other Americans. Your message not only applies
to the automotive industry but to any product produced by Americans. Colorado has
a slogan of ABC- Always Buy Colorado ,that promotes Colorado’s diverse markets.
If I may elaborate on your message, I believe we need to keep our Country’s fiscal
house in order before we can help other countries. Maybe a reminder of ABA-Always
Buy American is a good message for us to hear!
February 27th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
i recently bought my first new car… a Prius. I would buy American cars, but i just can’t do this in clear conscience. a car is just a tool for transportation, so i will buy the tool that will last the longest serving the purpose for which it was made. it saddens me because there are TONS of people out there who really want to buy American cars, but just can’t in good conscience. Chevy and Ford had better step it up.
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March 26th, 2008 at 1:27 am
I’ve worked for Honda, and I’ve dealt with GM as a vendor. Honda manages the entire country with a staff of about a thousand (not including plant workers). GM has tens of thousands and one hand doesn’t know what the other hand is doing, and everyone is so scared of taking a risk that they can’t ever make any progress.
I remember the first fuel crisis of the ’70s. Honda threw money at engineers and developed fuel efficient cars. GM threw money at lobbyists to tell Washington that it couldn’t be done. Not much has changed, unfortunately.