Insights into the Big 3 Auto Company Leaders and the Government

Not once...never, nada, zero, did I hear ANYONE in the senate, congress, or Bush Administration take any of the blame for the fate of the Autombile Industry.
Now I'm not saying that the Big 3 didn't bring this fiasco on themselves by their lack of innovation, foresight, and the manufacturing of more fuel efficient cars - but they did have some help.

In 2003 Congress passed a tax bill, which was part of the Bush Administration economic stimulus package (go figure!), that offered a $100,000 tax credit for any vehicle purchased by business owners that weighed more than 6,000 pounds fully loaded. Which, by the way, included those...yes those...big 'ole SUVs. You know, the ones that have depreciated quicker than the computer you bought 5 years ago.

So, now it's a bit clearer. Give people a government induced reason to buy gas guzzling monsters and those who may not even need 'em will be lining up at the dealership to drive 'em on home (or to their business). And of course...GM, Chrysler, and Ford will, most certainly, be making them.

I'm not naive enough to think that the automobile companies and their lobbyists didn't have a hand in crafting the legislation, but nobody in the halls of the Capitol or White House said anything about the impact it would have on making more efficient vehicles, the environment, or this mess we're now in. No, this was a free ride to keep making vehicles that had the highest profit margins for the auto makers.

Oh yeah...and what else happened! The tax credit for hybrid vehicles seemed to have disappear almost as fast as the equity in your home. Hybrid tax credits (ranging from $250 - $3,000...I know, it isn't $100,000 but hey, why help the environment when you can drive a giant thing over it!) are based on a formula that has to do with the number of vehicles produced (starting with 60,000). As those are bought and that number is reduced to zero, the credit is zilch! It's a bit more involved than that, but you get the idea.

Geez, I'd hate to be the guy signing my sales agreement only to hear that I had just purchased Prius number 60,001!!

Now, I ask you, where was the leadership we needed? What happened to innovative thinkers who wanted to lead is such a way as to leave a legacy of growth, prosperity, jobs, and new ideas that move the country and the world into new vistas.

Well, I guess you have to follow the special interest groups, money, and statis quo to figure that one out.

We have a chance to change that. Having leadership that grasps creative opportunities and brings the energy to change a broken system must step up and do it. And I'm not just talking about politics here, I'm talking about business, societal, and individual leaders who step up to the task.

It's time.