The American auto industry is sorely in need of a make over, an this may be the time to do just that. I think it is time to give the young bulls a shot at doing this, removing those old bulls, who are out of step with the spot this country is in now.
Take Chrysler, a company that most likely will fold in the near future or bought up by one of the remaining auto firms. Would it not be better for taxpayers to invest our tax dollars ? using their factories already in place ? to produce a “People”s Car,” like what Germany did before WW2. A single model that would be affordable, and usable by the younger work force, collage kids, and those folks with the lower paying jobs that need to be done.
A engine design to get great gas mileage with minimum horsepower. No extras but dependable transportation with the use of fiberglass, not plastics, as it is made from sand, not crude oil waste. Paint color choices could be red, white and blue. The first market and a good size one at that, would be that all levels of government”s would by law, use these types of vehicles where ever possible in there fleets. The government and the taxpayer would benefit by lowering the cost to purchase useful and needed equipment. At least a share of the taxpayers dollars would not go overseas.
The labor force could also be students so to speak, learning basic auto industry skills, and offered jobs from the remaining auto firms to fill job openings in there organizations after then worked for 2 years. Chrysler dealerships could sell these automobiles only in small cities with populations less then 50-100,000, bringing business to smaller communities to help maintain our standard of living more evenly across the country.
We, the taxpayers, could offer the labor force Medicare coverage, with the works paying for a secondary medical program to cover what Medicare doesn”t cover. A fair entry level salary could be paid for a set number of years, and like college students who gain their degrees, the labor force would need to plan and study on their time for other types of employment, no different than those folks coming out of the military.
Profits from such a program could be funneled back into Social Security, lowering the cost to all the nation”s workforce. There is nothing more sad, than to see empty manufacturing plants, rot away, due to lack of use or need. Places that once provided jobs, built fine communities, and produced great Americans.
Spreading the dollar around to the many, makes a far healthier America than compressing it to the hands of the view. The need for this country to start openly sharing ideas and thoughts from all its citizens, debate and act on there merits, will bring back our greatness, and the news media is the place to share these things.
Speak up and share your knowledge an skills and common sense with your neighbors, about local issues that you may see a better way of doing. You may be surprised of how many others may feel the same way.
Jim Hall
Clearlake Oaks
