The demise of America's Big 3

I'm not proud to say it, but I've seen this coming for 5 years. You can ask of my friends or family who have listened to me rant and they will tell you I did. It was pretty obvious, really, that the Big 3 were failing. They were producing a sub standard product and charging too much money for it too boot. Add to it their inability to match the warranty policies, reliability of vehicles and gas guzzling engines compared to their foreign competitors and its surprising that they have lasted this long (to be honest about it)...Well, now here we are, nov of 2008 and the hands are coming out in earnst for a piece of the the Bush sponsored "Great American Bailout" (as I have dubbed it) and look who is at the front of the line: America's Big 3 Auto makers...These guys have to be on crack-or just plain stupid-to think that the American people are going to be all for handing over $25 Billion to them when they haven't been able to prove that they can compete in today's marketplace; not to mention, how about producing reliable cars which get superior miles per gallon of gasoline (better yet, how about fuel cell cars???) over their competitors. To make matters worse, the presidents of the Big 3 auto's and the UAW flew to D.C.-to give testimony before Congress to beg for money-on private jets, running up $20k tabs a piece in the process. Yeahhhhhh riiiiiiight, as if that shows fiscal responsibilty. Here they are, 3 of America's largest company's; hemoraging cash and teetoring on the brink of collapse and what do they do-they waste tens of thousands of dollars apiece by flying on the "corporate jet". Ya, that makes me really anxious to give them $25 Billion of the American taxpayers hard earned cash...Uh huh...Sure...If they believe that, then I have some beach front property they may be interested in the middle of the Sahara Desert...What a bunch of idiots these guys are-to be so bold as too flaunt their 'status' and gluttony when asking the taxpayers for a hand out. Every one of them should be fired on the spot in my opinion...I really shouldnt be surprised at their behavior. I did, after all, witness much of the same attitude when I caddied for many of their predecessors in the early and mid 90's. Even back then the (mostly) men who ran the Big 3 Auto's had no respect for the consumer and absolute distain for the UAW who are only all too willing to fleece the Big 3 for everything they are worth, without a care for their own union members, the consumer or the nation at large...So here we are, on the precipace of at least 1, if not 2, of the collapse of these iconic American businesses and what should we do? Should we bail them out? FUCK no I say. This is America. We are a free market, capitalist society governed by a Democratic Republic. Company's come and go all the time in our economy and the Big 3 should be treated no differently. If they aren't able to stay competitive and stay in business, then good riddance I say and so what to the 2-3 million who may lose their jobs because of it. For one, the majority of those that would lose their jobs would deserve it in my opinion because, of the 1000's of UAW and Teamster workers I have met in my life, MAYBE 10% of them deserved to be paid what they were paid. Regardless of this, the Big 3 Auto's are one of the last vestages of America's industrial age and they refuse to die. Whats more, their refusal to die has kept America from moving forward into the technolical and information age. In sum they are holding all American's back and it is either time for them to grow up or time for them to die. I'd prefer them to grow up and retake the lead of American Industrial might again, but they don't appear capable anymore, so I say to them: good bye-none of you have earned, much less deserve, a penny of mine, or any other Americans, tax dollars.

2.5 milliong jobs by 2011-Obama's challenge

I honestly wasn't very hopeful about having positive change when Obama became president elect, but, almost 3 weeks since his election, I'm sort of impressed. I've watched his cabinet selection closely and although I'm not totally shocked by any of them, they are a collection of people with a lot of impressive credentials in their respective fields. I don't like the idea of Skankzilla possibly being Secretary of State, but we can't overlook the Clinton's political clout-which they apparently have in quantity, but overall, his cabinet looks good. But, I was most impressed by the challenge he laid before his economic advisors literally the day after they were selected. Obama wants them to come up with a plan to "save and create 2.5 million jobs by 2011".
It's important to note the verbage on this. "Save and create". Those are big words. Obviously Obama wants the hemoraging of jobs to come to an end, but his challenge also includes creating millions of new jobs for the already unemployeed. There are 2 pretty obvious ways that Obama can do this. The first, is through big government. Big Govt=more govt jobs. The other is his supposed intention to provide big tax breaks and perhaps some subsidizing of the RDD of renewable energy for power and transportation needs. There are, of course, several other factors involved, but those are the main 2 paths he is too likely take. Being the obvious socialist that he is, I'm way afraid of how big Big Govt may get under Obama's presidency, but I'm am all for going Green. And if Obama gets the right advice, I'm really hoping that its for Obama decides to go more towards the subsidizing of an entire knew industry (which is one of a very few aspects to our Country that the Fed should be directly involved in) and go with investing in Green techs. For a society as large as America's, it takes a nations entire economic engine to make so huge a turnover in focus. And at this time, I believe most Americans-regardless of political affiliation-are feeling more "conservationist" about energy, transportation, and their related costs. Whether its about money or the planet, people seem to finally be "hip" about how important these things are to, not just themselves and their abilities to provide for a family, but their country and planet as well...I suppose we will find out soon enough what Obama's cabinet will recommend and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that they think the Green route is the way to go...On a related note, not to brag, but I actually have a way to accomplish this task-The ATN...Hmmm...Wonder if Obama's cabinet can come up with something better???

Hey, Big Oil-can i have my money back?

Is it just me, or is something not right here? Gas prices spiked nearly $1.50 in about 18 months, and then fall back HALF of their high...And, in the midst of it all Exxon reports its biggest quarterly profit margin ever-over $14 Billion. Yup, that's a "B"...How does this work??? Something about this just effing reeks to me. For over a year we apperently overpaid for gasoline and oil at the pump (I havent looked but it wouldn't surprise me if home heating costs are being overpaid as well), what other conclusion is there? I'm fully aware of the huge fluxation in the price of a barrel of crude on the exchange markets, but the exorbitant profit they claim to be making don't add up. Assuming no drop in consumption, if Big Oil's costs were truly related to the cost a barrel of crude then how can profits go up without a major shift in profit margin. The total profit recently reported by Exxon doesnt seem possible to me given the high price of crude which is-so we are told-the majority contributor to the price of gas at the pump. Needless to say, I believe myself, and every other consumer, deserve to know exactly how much they should have been charging us at the pump for the last 2 years...Don't get me wrong-I'm all for captialism. But if what I believe to be going on behind closed doors in Big Oil is actually taking place, then I want every single penny they ripped off from me back! The effing thieves. Whats more, for once, I want the Fed involved-but with a new stance-the recognition that transportation is the lifblood of any stable and thriving economy. And, unfortunately, in Nov of 2008, oil is a huge freaking part of our transportation system. In fact, I would go so far as to say that oil is essential to our current transportation system, which makes it pretty relevant...Anyways, I digress...But not before I ask again "Where the #$% is my money Big oil?"

Obama elected our next president

This is why I refrained from commenting on the presidential race all these months-because I knew this was going to happen...Obama as our next president is the perfect storm here in America. If people thought "Black" American's were lazy before and felt entitled to everything, how do you think they will feel now that they are going to get what they aren't entitled too. But wait, before I get called an ethnicist (i.e. racist for all of you idiots out there) for pointing the finger at blacks, that goes for all the lazy leeching sheep in our country. No longer is there any reason for people to work hard and succeed, and why should they seeing has how if they were to bust their asses and become rich they are just going to have to give half of it back to people to haven't earned it and don't deserve it. This isn't fair, it's highway robbery, and socialism in its sickest form. With Obama in office why work? Whats the point in working if, every year, the Gov't is going to cut you a check for doing NOTHING. On top of that, you get free health insurance AND your mortgage paid for if you cant pay it, so why bother working that 40 hour a week, dead end job for $10-20 an hour, cursing your 'evil rich' bosses because they wont pay you more for no reason at all? Now all you have to do is quit, live on as the mindless sheep that you already are, and collect everything you dont deserve and havent earned for doing nothing but being a leech on society. And they call this "change"-I think not. Change, to me, is moving forward and socialism-being an 18th century ideology-is going backwards, NOT forwards...Fuck, if this is the change that most of the people want, then I want no part of it and I want out-now! So, to all of those of you who voted for Obama, I want from you what I haven't earned or deserved-a part of your income so that I can leave this country and build a new life somewhere else.

Iverson to the Pistons

What a move by Joe D! This is just another piece of evidence which proves that Pistons President Joe Dumars is the best at what he does-period. Not only did Dumars make a shock move in getting Iverson for Billups, Mcdyess and a 3rd meaningless player, but he also freed up minutes on a bench full of young players who are talented and hungry to prove their worth. Even more, he adds a first balet hall of fame player who still has the hunger and talent to carry the Pistons to another championship run. But, the coup de gra (I masacred that saying I know) is the salary cap room Dumars created in making the move. With this move, Dumars puts the Pistons in position "A" in 2010 when the likes of Chris Bosh and Lebron James become free agents, and when the talented youth the Pistons have now will be ready to lead the Pistons for another 5 years. In fact, he cleared so much cap room, that, should he choose too, he could sign both of the aforementioned players! Amazing...Now, if only our Federal Government were as savvy as Joe D is, then maybe we wouldn't be in the economic mess we are in now, eh? Better still, someone in D.C. needs to offer Dumars a job-A.S.A.P.

The eve of election day

I've been intentionally avoiding posting on the election because it all just changes to much from day to day. One day this is coming out on Obama, the next its something on Palin; then its Biden, and on and on and on...Ugh, For as important as these national elections are, the supposed 'pundants' and talking heads sure have a knack for making it a tiresome process. Yes, it's been entertaining at times, but, because of the all attempts to discredit each respective candidate and their running mates, the process just becomes a hassle to many-myself included. But this year seems to be different. People are actually waking to the realization that this year's presidential election is one of the most important in our history and the man we elect as president this go around could very well make or break the next 50 years of our country. Unfortunately, as with most past presidential elections, this is another one where one has to feel like they are choosing between the lessor of 2 evils yet again. With McCain we will get little in the way of energy relief except for drilling for more and more oil domestically, which, to be honest, we need anyways, but it should be coupled with an even bigger push towards green energy creation. Under McCain we will also get at least another 3 years in Iraq and Afghanistan. Neither of which I like, but at least I know McCain wont rest until Bin Laden's head is on a stick for every American to piss on-which I happen to like. With Obama we will get soaring taxes, high unemployment and "fairness"....Yeah right. Obama's idea of fairness is socialism and income redistribution and that is socialism. The last time I checked, this was America and America is a Democratic Republic with a Capitalistic economic structure which provides the freedom for people to pursue any goal and go from the poor house to the penthouse via drive, determination and hard work. Socialism lets lazy people be lazy while the "evil rich" support them by paying all the taxes and having the Gov't pay it back to the people to secure the 'necessities' of life. I may not be 100% sure of who I'm going to vote for yet, but I know who I'm NOT going to for and it's not the guy who is running on socialistic principles.

Culpepper bad move for lowly Lions

What is the organization (term used very loosely) behind the Detroit Lions thinking in signing Dante Culpepper to a 2 year deal? Whats the purpose? The guy retired because no one would give him a starting job because, well, he just isnt that good anymore. But, now here come the Lions, with their hand out and their tail between their legs looking for a savior that isn't out there and one they don't really need-if you ask me anyways. Believe it or not, Dan Orlovsky has performed pretty well for the Lions. Granted, he has a penchant for tossing as many picks as touchdowns, but, based on his stats (I honestly don't watch the Lions much anymore) he tosses the ball around pretty well and gets Calvin Johnson involved-which is a good thing since he is the best player on the team. Signing Culpepper sends a bad message to Orlovsky-who I think is coming along nicely all things being equal-and Drew Stanton-their supposed heir apparent-that the Lions are giving up on them both. This is the sort of attitude toward players that, early in their careers, ruins them, and its why the Lions' 'organization' has ruined so many careers. If you don't want to believe me just take a look at the failed top 10 draft picks over the last 20 years: Andre Ware, Charles Rodgers, Mike Williams...Ok, I'll stop there before anyone gets naucious, but you get my point I think...No, the Lions don't need help at QB, they need help on Defense. They need a true impact DE that can get after the opposing teams QB. They need a true shut down corner too, and they need an offensive line that can keep QB's upright and open holes for Kevin Smith-who I still think is a future star and a steal of last years draft. Most of all, what the Lions need more than anything else, is a new owner.