Big 3 Big News Day in Michigan

On my iPhone news app, the Big 3 before Congress. On my laptop news reader, Big 3 want bailout. On the cafe's big screen tv, Big 3 + Gettelfinger begging for money. On the front page of the Detroit News - Big 3 CEOs plead for aid. On the radio, all of the above.

I think Republican Senator Richard Shelby from Alabama said it best,

Your model has failed.

Democrat Senator Christopher Dodd said,

Automakers are seeking treatment for wounds that I believe to a large extent were self inflicted.

As the Big 3 and the UAW squirm before Congress, Michigan's unemployment rate hit 9.3%. Skepticism ruled among those in Congress grilling the auto kings, yet the prevailing wind still appears to have cash floating around in it and is blowing towards the automakers. But what about the CEOs themselves? If Congress gives them money will the 3 Stooges still get their bonuses, perks, and all those other millions they get annually? I think that one of the conditions should be knocking their pay back down to the 6 digit level until the automakers are solvent for at least a couple years in a row with the same outlook for the next couple of years. Give them an incentive to actually change rather than just hand them cash every time they want it.

But will they get the job done? Probably not. The biggest hurdle is the cost of the products. In the same Detroit News in section F is a review of the '09 line up of pickup trucks from the Big 3 plus Nissan and Toyota. All are four door models. If anyone has been following the news about the new trucks most would know how all the auto experts are raving over the '09 Ford F-150. So am I. But I will never own one. The base price is $37,990 and the model tested for the article is $43,425. For an F-150. A half-ton truck for $43,425? Are they kidding?

The equivalent Chevy Silverado is $45,930, the Dodge Ram is $47,765, the GMC Sierra is $49,780, the Nissan Titan is $40,785, and the Toyota Tundra is $41,820. The lowest base price was the Toyota Tundra at $33,985, the highest was the Dodge Ram at $43,240. The F-150 got the best fuel mileage at 14/18 and the Titan got the worst at 12/17. So, tell me why now that the automakers can't make money? BECAUSE YOU AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY THESE VEHICLES OR DRIVE THEM!

$40,000 dollars and up for half-ton pickup trucks by the Big 3? The last time I bought an F-150 (1992 new) it cost me $18,000, was a very nice truck and lasted me 10 years. I don't care if they are four door models. This is why the automakers are hurting. Average American Joe and Joanne cannot afford them just as they cannot afford the ridiculous prices of homes or the taxes for the cars and homes. Americans are being priced out of the very things that were once affordable. Yet Congress can't figure that out and neither can the automakers and those who sell homes.

No wonder we are in trouble, and all our wonderful Michigan State Legislature can do is raise our taxes.

Duh.