Michael Moore and Obama - birds of a feather

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Although I hate to generate web traffic to Michale Moore's web site (thankfully, no one reads this so no one will actually click the link), Michael Moore has proven himself to be, in my opinion, a genuine Marxist.

In a post dated today, Moore writes of the "joy" of the fall of G.M. Of course, Moore has a long hate-filled history with G.M. starting with "Roger and Me".

Moore tries to lay out an argument for all sorts of "for the people" type stuff for G.M:

"1. Just as President Roosevelt did after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the President must tell the nation that we are at war and we must immediately convert our auto factories to factories that build mass transit vehicles and alternative energy devices." [...]President Obama, now that he has taken control of GM, needs to convert the factories to new and needed uses immediately."

"2. Don't put another $30 billion into the coffers of GM to build cars. Instead, use that money to keep the current workforce -- and most of those who have been laid off -- employed so that they can build the new modes of 21st century transportation."

"3. Announce that we will have bullet trains criss-crossing this country in the next five years." [...] Let's hire the unemployed to build the new high speed lines all over the country."

[...]

"9. To help pay for this, impose a two-dollar tax on every gallon of gasoline. This will get people to switch to more energy saving cars or to use the new rail lines and rail cars the former autoworkers have built for them."

The list goes one. But, Moore is advocating changing the the way free American's behave -- all under the government controlled G.M.

Meanwhile, Obama says that He said the government would refrain from playing a management role in all but the most critical areas. [source: Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124385428627671889.html] WTF is a critical area? I take this to mean the old board is out and an Obama friendly board will be put in place, where they can be "put in their place".

G.M., long the leader in pick-up's and SUV's (the most profitable vehicles G.M. ever produced), will be reduced to making cars and light trucks that will offer no utility and reduced on the road safety. With G.M. out of the SUV/truck market there will be a long lasting "trickle down effect" through other industries, such as: boat makers, trailer camper producers and a myriad of other industries.

Obama to announce auto mileage, emissions standards

By KEN THOMAS and PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press Writers [link in title]
WASHINGTON – "President Barack Obama's new fuel and emission standards for cars and trucks will save billions of barrels of oil but are expected to cost consumers an extra $1,300 per vehicle by the time the plan is complete in 2016."

According to my research the average cost of a new car is $28715.00. Add just over 4.5%, or $1300.00 and you're looking at a new car cost of $30015.00! Here in Minnesota the sales tax on a new car purchase is 6.5%, there is an additional $20.00 "Transit Tax" for a total of $31985.98. Don't forget license and registration which, based on the DMV base value book would be about $485.00. Each dealer in Minnesota charges a $75.00 delaer documentation fee of $75.00. Now, your total new car investment is $32545.98! How many people can afford to put 10 - 20% down?

For arguments sake lets say you do put 20% of the total cost down; $6509.20. You finance the balance of $26036.78 for 60 months at 5.24% offered by either the dealer or your local credit union. You would have monthly payment of $494.21 for the next FIVE YEARS! Is it any wonder that both GM and Chrysler are failing?

In what world does Obama live where the average family of four can swing not only $6500.00 down and then pay an additional $494.21 per month? According to the U.S. Census, the median family income here in Minnesota is $59583.00.

And if you have a boat or a couple of sleds, good luck towing them with your new Honda Civic.