By Nina Calahan-James
Washington Correspondent Church & State Talk Radio
Detroit City Mayor Kenneth Cockrel Jr., could be creating a city earthquake, with his plans, to cut 840 Detroit city jobs, during a time of stimulus recovery options.
Winning with endorsements from the Police Union and the UAW, Cockrel is focused on current issues in Detroit; crime, jobs, economic development, honesty and transparency in city government and environmental issues. But most of all balancing the city budget. The same budget, according to County Executive, Ficano they couldn’t audit. “It was inaudible”. Cocrkel hired former City Auditor Joe Harris to serve, as his CFO to ensure the city budget was accountable to Detroit citizens, the same budget which auditors racked their brains, in an earnest attempt to unravel.
Who will the citizens of Detroit chose as their next leader, the classy likeable guy, NBA legend seasoned at 65 and not willing to tell who his advisers are; and ask for your trust because of his successful business dealings. Or will Detroit select the 22 years younger, 43 year old good guy mayor, who has served the city of Detroit for 10 years on the Detroit City Council and president for 8 years. Mayor Cockrel has written and passed key legislation to improve the quality of life in Wayne County and in the city of Detroit.
A cum laude graduate of Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Arts in print journalism, Mayor Cockrel is a former reporter for the Detroit Free Press, the Grand Rapids Press and the Cincinnati Inquirer. Mayor Cockrel is a graduate of the inaugural class of the Michigan Political Leadership Program at Michigan State University as well as the Program for State and Local Government Officials at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government
Former Detroit City Mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick once known as the Hip Hop Mayor; Today Kenneth Cocrkrel Jr, once known as Shrek, now with the perception of Mayor Delay & Dawdle will return, to his former position with Detroit City Council, if he doesn’t pull a win off, on the May 5th election.
Kilpatrick resigned last fall. Cockrel stepped in on an interim basis. The winner between Bing & Cockrel will finish Kilpatrick’s term that ends December 31, 2009. Detroit will vote again this year for the regular Mayoral election.
Detroit City Mayor Kenneth Cockrel Jr, will be interviewed by Nina Calahan-James, Washington Correspondent for Church & State Talk Radio. CalahanJames will be joined by Legal Analyst, Joseph Humphries; Kim Bettie, former General Motors Executive Trainer & Show Commentator along with co-host, Kwame Hardy.
The interview will begin Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 1:00PM Eastern Standard Time on 1500 AM WLQV Life Changing Christian Radio. Visit the website and post a comment in the guest book at www.ChurchandStateUnited.com call in at 866-423-WLQV or listen on line at www.AM1500WLQV.com Mayor Candidate, Dave Bing was slated to be interviewed last Saturday, however his campaign team, reschedule three times.
Contact Nina Calahan-James at 248-202-5340 or nina@barackobama4change.us
By Nina Calahan-James,
Freelance Writer & Washington Correspondent
Michigan residents are excited about $20 million dollars they could receive. The 20 Million dollars would permit the expansion plan for the home for the North America International Auto Show, Detroit’s Cobo Hall convention center.
The plan calls for a total renovation of the current Cobo Hall and a 120,000 square-foot expansion. Church & State Talk Radio Detroit, interviewed Wayne Country Executive, Robert A Ficano on Saturday March 7, 2009. Ficano, an innovative public servant successfully manages the largest county in the state of Michigan, with over 2.1 million citizens and the eleventh largest county in the nation. Tenacity for a tireless ambassador, Ficano regularly meets with citizens, community leaders, the corporate community and other elected officials throughout the county, the State of Michigan and nationally to highlight and victorously promote Wayne County.
Ficano intends to victoriously revitalize Detroit with his current futuristic initiative, the expansion of Cobo Hall Convention Center. For over decades the Detroit’s Cobo Hall has been the venue for the North American International Auto Show. This venue provides sixteen thousand jobs and millions of dollars in economic impact each year. Detroit’s Cobo Hall has deteriorative with antidote leaks that cannot be fixed in the basement. Cobo Hall is in dire need or repairs, upgrades and major expansion.
Detroit City Council threw a serious punch, bruising the plans to renovate and expand Cobo Center, when it killed a deal from legislation for a $288-million expansion and renovation of Cobo. When you drive into many of the Detroit neighborhoods, dark shaded glasses may not shield you from the thousands of dilapidated homes, drug crack houses and buildings glaring at you. Detroit city council members can’t see to get it together.
City Council members are being referred to as a tragic circus, a group of people you would laugh at in a Tyler Perry movie. Many Detroit residents agree their city council members are a ridiculous embarrassment, unprofessional and just too dumb to run a city of Detroit’s magnitude and global potential. Detroit City Council members are split in their position; many afraid to surrender their precious city jewel, turning the home of the North American International Auto Show over to a regional authority. Wayne County Executive, Ficano is facing a tough dirty battle with Detroit City Council.
During the interview with Church & State Talk Radio Ficano stated “The audit firms have not been able to audit the city of Detroit’s books. One of the problems we encounter, trying to design the legislation, Detroit’s books were unauditable. We were trying to determine the cost to manage and run Detroit City Hall. They weren’t able to audit the books. In the line area, the city spends 15 Million a year out of their general fund, just to open the doors. Under this agreement that 15emillion a year, they don’t have to give out of their general fund. Detroit could use this money to balance their budget, hire police officers, firemen or to pay off debt”.
Chicago's McCormick place and the LA Convention Center are more modern and accommodating to automaker displays. Ficano continued. “These venues Chicago. LA, Beijing and Parris want the auto show because of the economic activity”. “We have 6000 journalist that show up every year in comparison to the super bowl drawing only 3000 journalist” County Executive, Ficano and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm the state Legislature and key leaders in metro Detroit, signed off on a plan to create a five-member board that would own and operate Cobo Hall.
The deal also would provide $20 million to Detroit and relieve the city of Cobo’s annual operating deficit. The legislation created a five-member authority with representatives from Detroit, the state, Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. L.Brook Paterson is one of the stakeholders. L. Brooks Patterson is beginning his fifth four-year term as Oakland County Executive, after winning re-election in 2008 by another large electoral margin. He is the chief elected official in one of Americas most affluent and progressive counties receiving number one status in many U. S. categories.
During the 16 years of the Patterson administration, Oakland County government has earned respect from Wall Street for its solid tax base and sound financial policies by attaining and maintaining a coveted AAA bond rating, which only 34 of the nation's 3,200 counties have received. The Detroit City Council is opposed of the authority of the stakeholders for the expansion deal offering major upgrades and over 20 Million dollars. City Council President, Monica Conyers achieved the votes necessary to kill the expansion deal by one vote from City Council member Alberta Tinsley-Talabi. She switched sides to grant the necessary five votes to reject the expansion deal. Conyers have been noted lauded the vote, saying Cobo will remain "in the hands of the citizens of Detroit." It’s not over yet.
The city of Detroit has not demonstrated the ability to manage their budget. Detroit remains in a deficit, with automotive financial troubles increasing and over 500,000 unemployed workers. Michigan cannot afford to lose the economic impact of Cobo Hall and it largest venue, the North America International Auto Show.
U.S. Representative Congressmen Thaddeus McCotter
Republican-Livonia, Michigan
Congressmen McCotter is on the right track, the Auto Track for GM Chrysler, Real People, Liberty and Prosperity. The stimuls package from Capitol Hill is not enough to stimulate the Nation’s Auto Capitol in Michigan. The auto industry are “victims and not the cause of this dysfunctional time in our economy”. A life long resident of southeast Michigan, with unblinking loyalty, McCotter will not walk away from the auto industryA refreshing voice for the auto industry, Congressman McCotter has focused his efforts on preserving and promoting manufacturing and small businesses, because he knows they form the back bone of our community's economy. Serving on the House Financial Services Committee, with a championship record reducing the tax buden on Michingan families, fighting the War on Terrioism, keeping Michigan at work, helping improve health care and reduce government spending.Congressmen McCotter attended the first Fiscal Summit, an executive meeting last Monday, held by President Obama at the White House. McCotter was one of two members of Michigan invited to the summit. A big gigantic first step toward reaching bipartisan solutions on many issues to include, health care, social security, the tax code and other fiscal issues facing the nation.
First elected in 2002 to Congress, then re-elected in 2004, 2006 and again in 2008. Congressman McCotter was elected in Nov. 2008 to serve as Chairman of the Republican House Policy Committee, a leadership position once held by Vice President Dick Cheney. Congressmen McCotter is a graduate of Catholic Cebntrall High School, the University of Detroit and the Universtiy of Detroti Law Schoo. He is a bar admitted attorney by profession and has contuined to defeat democratic running mates.
Contact: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
This post is a brief overview of the Automotive Industry which describes some of the fundamental problems that are rarely spoken of. In addition, you will learn of a few of my personal experiences growing up, an environment where I was surrounded by the industry; you will learn of a few perspectives that are shocking and that even only a few within the industry know of. At the end of the post, you will better understand what happened to American Manufacturing and where it stands. The Auto Industry is at the heart of all of American Manufacturing. It is an industry that laid the groundwork for many other types of industries to follow, deemed at one point in history to be the highest of successes. But now, it sheds light on what can become warning signs for other businesses that mistakenly try to imitate it.This months hot topic is whether to bailout/rescue the regressing American Auto Industry. The original owners and their successors abandoned that industry long ago. The auto industry was ravaged and plundered by the wealthiest Americans a half century ago and has been in decline ever since. Shortsighted greed from one generation to the next has been the culprit. Since autos were first mass-produced and America monopolized the world, it was only natural that the American percentage/share of the market would eventually be reduced. However, total growth was enormous and total size of the market continues to grow even through today. Therefore, American growth of exports should have continued to grow, but does not significantly due to pillage and poorly planted roots. In simpler terms, we originally owned the entire pie. The pie was split up. Since the entire pie has grown dramatically, our piece should have grown too. However, the Big 4, 3, 2, … have been loosing market dominance and lead since the end of World War Two. Here we are years later in crisis, and the real question remains whether or not to rescue the real victims of the auto industry, the workers. People were not retrained or re-educated; most were never afforded real education's to start. People are now in despair and hopelessness. From my vantage point now living in Colorado for the last two decades, I have seen the high tech industry follow the auto industry, but at a learned and accelerated rate. Other industries are also copying the auto industry and are laying similar foundations also headed for disaster. Going back to a brief history, the misguided roots show how the decay started and why it spread.Although I did not grow-up during the inception of the Auto Industry, its roots surrounded me. I spoke with a few who were there in the earliest days, and spoke with many who were of the following generation. I absorbed its history by studying it while attending school in Motown (Motor Town), by natural osmosis, and in my earliest career dealing with the car makers.Growing up as a kid I lived less than a mile from Henry Ford's first moving assembly line factory, with GM’s World Headquarters’ just three miles away, and with Chryslers World Headquarters at the end of our street. The first Ford plant (in Highland Park, a city now surrounded by Detroit) and the first of GM's plants were built on the importation of the next generation of former black slaves and white share crop workers from the south (whites similar to former slaves whose white necks were red from working in the sunny fields, hence the mean spirited term 'Redneck'). The joke that Henry Ford must have laughed at and that went around town was "each worker would get paid enough to buy a Ford" (Of course using infamous 'Ford Credit' which was a primary direct withdrawal from their pay checks.) Henry manipulated a built-in guaranteed customer base and tapped double profits, being profits on the cars and the profitable bonded interest. Those were scams that he copied from sharecropping. The remains of their wages were so low that they had to live in shacks; but after all Henry felt, they came from shacks near the fields in the south. So much bigotry and repeated methods from sharecrop economic slavery. Instead of updating and rebuilding the original plants and without regard for the people who were the workers, the emerging auto giants left to go further to the suburbs. So, as they moved and grew they imported shipload after shipload of immigrant economic slaves from Poland (to Hamtramck, MI) and more economic slaves from the Middle East (to Dearborn, MI). There were other minorities imported as well, also imported for economic servitude to supporting industries such as mining, iron works, steel fabrication, glass works, textile, …. Astonishing how easily the game of 'divide and conquer' worked upon the variety of minorities; a game of keeping the workers pitted against each other using race and ethnicity; all to hold back the power of the people from truly uniting. WW2 caused the Automakers not only to retool but also to reevaluate their future directions.Soon, after the victory of WW2, came the Auto Giants grand visions for economically conquering the world via expansion outside the U.S. They quietly boasted that that would leave mainly world headquarters executives, designers, and engineers in the U.S. with the prestigious white-collar jobs. It was felt then (and these are not my bigoted opinions, not from me, yikes) that after all even 'the weaker sex' could do factory labor jobs as seen during WW2 (i.e. Rosie the Riveter). So why not have the 'stupid foreign workers' do the labor outside the U.S. What also gave way to the idea that manufacturing could succeed outside the U.S. was Mexico; since Mexican workers were also imported, but only temporarily during WW2. (By the way, the temporary Mexican workers were never fully paid back as promised during WW2.) A tremendous wave of pride about white-collar jobs became very popular in Detroit and in other automotive communities during the 50's. That vision sat poised on the back burner, but a pre-planted seed was already in place, which was Canada (Windsor) just across the Detroit River. Canada was a much-desired orchestrated precedence for the automakers; it set the stage for grace given by the government as an easily set up protocol for off-shoring jobs. Soon after, the automakers made a migration south to other states, then further south to Mexico, and finally overseas and on to economic slavery in China.Today we see the results of the destructive path the industry has taken. Layoffs, instead of being temporary situations reserved for pauses during new model changeovers, eventually became the mark of permanent labor plant closures. Obvious abandonment of people soon became the name of the automakers game. Along the swathed trail are - Highland Park, Detroit, Pontiac, Flint, Marquette, Gary Indiana, Pittsburgh, Toledo, Cleveland, …, which became known in the early 80’s as 'The Rust Bowl’. Sort of a rape, pillage, and burn mentality, which continues to today. Amazing how well the reasoning of "that's the way it's always been" persists and grows from one generation to the next. Excuse after excuse gave temporary reasoning to incremental geographic movements for global conquer. Temporary excuses ranged from the need to originally amass large workforces, to the hindrance of union pressures, to American workers are lazy, to 'over' government regulation, to …, all straw obstacles as to why the auto industry needed to move as it did. No! Greed is not good. We see how those at the top of the industry have each come in, grabbed with their greed, and left. Now today, we see how greed has caused "what once was, no longer is". So in short, now we see the results of greed, poorly planted roots, and disregard, taking its toll on America. Equally, is the toll on the myriad of unrelated businesses, old and new, that have adopted the auto industries infectious habits of having little to no regard for individual people that make up the American workforce. People.While being raised in the center of Detroit, I experienced many situations involving the Auto Industry; the following although early was not my earliest, and is an actual example. Around 1963, when I was 11 years old, I remember George Romney visiting our house to exchange political favors. Our 23-room house was a rundown relic of a past era, but it cleaned up well as a phony front for wealth and pretentious power. I remember we kids had to pretend that we were Christian Protestants for the visiting Governor (former Chairman of AMC) who was doing his Christian Mormon tradition of visiting the homes of his new legislators. How ostentatious they both were with fraudulent humility of how they rose from their humble beginnings. But more to the point, I remember Romney sitting at our dinning room table and saying "The Big Four Automakers don't have to worry about giving the Unions what they want, as long as the benefits will not be due for decades. By that time the labor plants will be outside the U.S." That shocked my brother Jimmy and I, as we listened playing in the sunroom just off the dinning room. Later we were once again physically punished (beaten-up), this time for listening to adult talk. Jimmy a year older than I, and intellectually gifted, soon became a Page at the State Capital. The accounts he returned with were shocking as well. Growing up as we did would make your head spin and open your eyes to disgust. We continued living in those surroundings until we grew out of our teens. Then we moved on to make our own adult lives, creating better environments much different from what we were born and raised in.Recalling back to my teens, I realized back then the Detroit riots were not only about race, but was also about economic oppression. It was the minorities who were oppressed the worst, most especially African-Americans. Bad however you measure it is bad. (For a better understanding of the decline of Detroit and to better understand the riots, take a look at my other post: “DETROIT RIOTS OF 1967, A RECOLLECTION OF THE TRUTH.” You will also better understand how very close we came to seeing a nationwide repeat of the riots in the coming Spring of 2009.)Unions, workers, man-hours, laborers, …, are not people, they are burdens to be minimized and eliminated. While watching Lee Iacocca being interviewed on Charley Rose last year, I noticed Iacocca admit that he new all the way back during negotiations with the unions, in the early 80’s, that Chrysler would never have to pay off in full on long term commitments to the unions. As Iacocca danced around the issue he said "now the unions will have to face reality". And, as Rose went on to discuss it more, Iacocca was getting more uncomfortable, and eventually managed to change the subject away from discussing past union negotiations. Iacocca was a bit slicker than George Romney was, since Iacocca was on national TV. It made me ashamed that Chrysler World Headquarters was at the end of our street when I was a kid. And, that as a young adult I had so proudly in my early career returned while working for a couple of electronics companies to Chrysler's World Headquarters R&D operations. I thought it an honor to have paid Iacocca's in-house barbershop to cut my hair, even his same barber. Some honor.Following Chrysler, I moved up to deal with GM, and was puzzled. I listened to upper executives at GM complain that they constantly had to bribe Mexican government officials and border guards for GM plants. I guess they also assumed I already new and accepted that the plants in the late 70's had already begun their exodus to Mexico and other countries. I have always looked at bribery as disgusting and wrong, it was not for me or those who I dealt with, that's among the many good things that a mentor named Jack Bazzy taught me as a young kid. By becoming acquainted with other mentors as an adult, I learned to seek out highly reputable employers and quality knowledgeable friends. I learned how to educate myself, and moved up very high in the scientific and technical industries, all of which I enjoyed.Although I grew up in Highland Park / Detroit, that was not anywhere near my top focus in choosing Obama. But, it is a simple history for me to recall, amazing how many more details I can give, but the main points have been brought forward. In addition, from being a mutt of sorts myself, to being a self made man, be that what it may, I have no illusions of being great. What I do mean here is that I quickly recognize many of Obama's unique insights, although mine are different but a bit similar in nature. Like many Obama supporters, I have personal experiences on most issues Obama has raised. So, above is just one of many examples that I can personally give.To better understand manufacturing in America, you can read my other blog: WHAT SCREWED UP MANUFACTURING FOR AMERICA
Blog members can reply here, anyone is welcome to email me at: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
It has been my perception that what has driven some Americans increasingly in the past two decades has been personal greed; greed not for just money but for power, control, influence, domination, security, knowledge, ideology, ..., all for individual or limited closed association/club benefit. That is not only the mentality of individuals, but of people operating in government and business as well.
We now witness the results of greed by a select few:
Corrupt and special interest government officials who set themselves above as aristocrats regulating government for their own investments or hidden ownerships in companies and organizations. Many who also take bribes and illicit favors from corrupt lobbyists.Laws are actually written/drafted by who? Do you really think your legislator, congressman, or senator sits down in front of a computer or uses his own pen and paper? Or, did you think it's his staff? It is lobbyists who actually do 99% of the work; work they have vested interests in, to see it is written the way their 'client' wants it worded. Do you as an individual have lobbyists employed by you? Financial institutions that cheat and steal from the unsuspecting, far beyond the weak laws of usury. Trustworthy? Bank & 'Trust?' Wanna givem another bailout for cheating? It looks like lobbying paid off for the financial 'institutions' (we have all been taught to 'respect?' the term 'institution?', but maybe we are learning). Insurance Companies that 'legally?' bribe law enforcement, judges, and congress/legislators with grants, equipment gifts, perks, and free trips in order to gain unprecedented influence/control -- everything from mandatory laws, to not or barely paying claims, to price fixing, to all sorts of corrupt and unfavorable methods imposed on individuals. Do most people realize that premiums (a name of 'respect?' for monthly payments you are charged) are used by Insurance Companies to pay for -- grants, equipment gifts, perks and trips as payoffs for public laws, regulations, and controls that the public does not want. It is a form of taxation represented/controlled by insurance companies, not taxation with public representation. It's a twisted form of taxation charged by insurance companies. Manufacturing barons who import economic slave labor and outsource to slavery. Pharmaceutical corporations that cover-up sickness and death with misinformation in order to push up profits. Weapons manufacturers that promote violence, war, and enduring sickness. Energy companies that monopolize production/prices and cause destructive environmental damage.American Companies, or those using names, that import/offshore products who turn a deaf ear and blind eye to safety, quality, and poisons.Service providers that care not about consumers but are strictly money driven, with less regard for employees; employees who suffer with unreasonable demands for performance and who are not paid a living wage. Private educational institutions that cater to the wealthy who have abandoned the public. The concept for the masses of "let them eat cake"; they will eventually go away from malnutrition of education because it will make them perish; and, those who survive can be the servants. Suburban Public School administrators in growing housing markets whose actual and hidden agendas are to serve land developers and government aristocrats. They play statistical number games made of fudge, intentionally choking out struggling students by actually encouraging students to drop out or be 'home schooled' by mom or dad. That's how suburban schools 'look' more attractive to potential home buyers, with faked academic 'success' -- faking the 'No Child Left Behind' statistics, a real game, using kids as pawns. But aristocrats brag, statistically they look like they have done a good enough job to re-elect them. And, most importantly to them, they can continue to reap the profits from either the land they own or are financially connected with.Inner City School administrators in decaying areas that hopelessly cope with being under funded, attracting the poorest quality teachers. Children do not choose to be born into poor families, or choose uncaring parents, nor do they choose parents that are ignorant and uneducated. Do these kids have the hope of opportunity? They are pushed aside as the burdens of a greedy society, in hopes they are not seen nor heard from now or later in life -- good to be used as the pawns in wars, or workers for catering to the wealthy though. Employees of city/county/state/fed. institutions (schools, universities, jails, prisons, leases/sales of buildings to Gov., contracted services, hospitals, VA facilities,...) who take kickbacks and gifts, in return for higher costs and sweetheart deals with companies often owned by or financially benefiting government aristocrats.Major colleges and universities chasing the buck by catering to overseas students. They somehow brag of a 40% to 60% foreign enrollment, while American students grasp for help and aid. Community colleges that are given the leftovers in funds, coping with unrealistic expectations of graduating students or preparing them for major colleges. Even with 100% tuition/books paid, it is unrealistic to expect students to juggle working full time jobs (for food and living) while going to school and studying full time. It is not surprising to see such an astronomically high dropout rate in America. Capitalist have made it clear to students, not to have hopes that are too costly; or, they will import already educated talent. Do wealthy capitalist require students in their families to work full time at low paying jobs while pursuing higher education's? Maybe they simply know it's a story made up for the 'less fortunate', like a fairytale dream, achieved by one to two percent and used as shining examples, stories told to pacify the masses. Those with capital also know, they can hire a well enough educated dropout at a reduced rate to do the job of a graduate, a real bargain. …
We could each recite instances far beyond this short list, and it is all for greed. People’s greed has been rooting through our nation and causing so much destruction. Certainly money has been a primary instrument of their greed, but their other instruments of power, control, influence, domination, security, knowledge, ideology, … have all been used to chip away and damage each of us who together form our great nation. With renewed vision and focused determination we will heal and rebuild to become more active and much stronger.
To learn more details, you can read my other three blogs about 1) Educational Devastation, The Need for an Entirely New System, 2) The Auto Industry, A Few of My Personal Experiences, and 3) Invention, Innovation, and Education.
Blog members can reply here, or anyone is welcome to contact me at: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
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Apropos of the "Auto-Industry Bailout." I believe we should look very carefully at the players, particularly Cerberus, the private equity firm that bought out Chrysler, on very favorable terms. Before a dime goes to Chrysler, let's really understand Cerberus. Any group of men and women who name their firm after the Hound of Hell ought to examined very closely. They think we're idiots. Let's show the we're not. This is a firm that possesses and controls extraordinary wealth. Let them reach a little deeper into their pockets. Let's change the way our county deals with the rich who prey on our ignorance and inclination to let Washington "solve" our problems.
Conditions for receiving fed funds [an idea]:
First, bring in three new CEO's who have visionary ideas not just for their companies, but for the industry and globalization in general. These people should be chosen not just for their individual talents and management goals, but as cooperative partners.
Second, require the three entities, for the next 5 to 10 years, to share technology, retooling, and research costs, thus cutting the expenses of bridging old business models with a new economy model with the least amount of cost to each company.
Third, allow the competition that creates an automotive free market happen through ingenuity of technology application, design, and their individual corporate cultures.
By bringing the three together, as a cooperative body, with an agenda that meets the new global and national priorities of climate rescue and the necessary lower-cost products needed to meet the challenges of the emerging economic realities, the focus on the industry as a cornerstone could be a positive role model, and a successful business model. Perhaps even a new model for cooperative industry in general
-j
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I have heard via many sources that we may try to bailout the U.S. auto industry, which I think is a bad idea even if it would protect jobs. It’s true that for years the U.S. auto industry has been told that consumers want vehicles that are more reliable with better fuel efficiency. And still the U.S. auto industry continues to produce the same old gas-guzzling vehicles year after year despite demand for more fuel efficient vehicles. Sadly it is this that has caused many consumers, to abandon the US Auto industry and acquire clean diesel, and hybrid foreign vehicles which both get superb (40+ MPG) gas mileage.
And now it appears as if the government and the public may be asked to lend a hand to these poorly managed companies. I feel that it is not the responsibility of the government to protect private enterprise; and bailout the US Auto Industry. I know a lot of jobs are at stake, but I don’t feel that rewarding companies that make inferior products or keep us dependent on foreign oil is hardly in the best interests of this country. Why don’t we just let them go under so that the better foreign auto makers can buy up the plants, hire the same workers and make vehicles here that are so much better?
Regardless of your decision in this area should it come to yet again bailing out poorly managed companies that have not come to realize that the era of cheap oil is at an end – which many consumers already know. These companies have not made any significant changes to their offerings, times have changed, while these companies in Detroit have not and have run them into the ground. I see you want to project jobs but don’t think its our responsibility to bailout these companies who got themselves into this mess in the first place. Nobody is suggesting that we bailout homeowners, or compensate those who are easily able to afford their homes that have lost thousands of dollars on houses that aren’t worth much anymore, I paid $550k for mine and now it’s only worth $400k – who is bailing me out of my loss of $150k?
I guess I could at least hold out hope that should congress and the current administration help out these companies, perhaps we could mandate that we reserve the right to tell them what types of vehicles to make, otherwise they will continue to make their hummers and big trucks and in-efficient cars which nobody will buy and we’ll have to bail them out again. Or perhaps we could force them to reestablish a new program similar to the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV), or to produce hydrogen/gas hybrids so that the infrastructure for hydrogen vehicles can proliferate. I really wish however that instead of going this route we could give more assistance to the companies that really need it for hardcore research and development of tomorrows vehicles, which is underway today at companies like Aptera, and CommuterCars - I do hope you have the time to see what we can really have if we think outside the box.
I just find it sad, that no one is really pushing for this technology in this country and the only type of car you can get that are not only ultra reliable, and efficient these days are foreign cars and trucks like Toyota, Honda, and VW amongst others. I was really shaken when I recently went to visit the Petersen Automotive Museum here in Los Angeles, - there were mostly race cars there but I happened upon a mass-produced 1929 Austin Seven “Chummy” there – and I was stricken with grief over the fact that this vehicle which was introduced back in 1922 got an outstanding 50 MPG - and it really hit home hard. I mean we’ve had the capability for mass produced fuel efficient vehicles since the late 1920’s and we can’t today even mass produce a series of non-hybrid/specialty vehicles that can easily get 45 miles per gallon on regular gasoline. And what makes it more depressing that we cant seem to do this given all the advances in materials science, aerodynamics, and modern engines over the last 88 years!
It is truly pathetic considering that other countries have very fuel efficient and/or alternative energy vehicles such as MDI Enterprises / Tata’s Air powered car, or Volkswagens’ 1 liter Eco-car with an impressive 235 MPG. There are a ton of options and it’s a total shame that there are people out there who are considering giving money to the US Auto Industry so they can continue to deliver substandard vehicles that do more damage to the economy than good. Let us not forget that despite the dwindling global economy, gas prices will rise again, and do we really want to perpetuate our dependence on foreign oil. I know a lot of jobs would be lost, but if we really wanted to do something great we could use those people to deliver the vehicles of the future instead sending millions/billions to an industry that is stuck in the past and not changed with the times.
Anyhow I wish to thank you for your time and do hope you check out some of the sites below, at your leisure.
Respectfully,
Steve Cole
References:
PNGV:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partnership_for_a_New_Generation_of_Vehicles
Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles
Aptera :
http://www.aptera.com
Specialize in ultra-high efficiency (150+ Mpg) commuter vehicles using current technology and a bit of ingenuity.
CommuterCars:
http://www.commutercars.com
Specialize in ultra-compact freeway speed capable electric vehicles using current technology.
H-LineConversion :
http://www.hlineconversion.com
Specialize in custom conversions for big trucks converting Hummer 8-12 mpg vehicles into more eco-friendly vehicles powered by biodiesel that get around 25 miles per gallon.
MDI / Tata:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_car
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4217016.html
VW 1 Liter Eco-Car:
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Green-Cars/Search-Results/Green-News/VW-to-relaunch-one-litre-eco-car
http://www.motorauthority.com/vw-boss-confirms-1-liter-car-for-2010.html
More General Info:
http://gas2.org/
Mike Strizki:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tt1uN38EcoQ
http://www.renewableenergyinternational.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEdQRVQtffw
What is possible if you think outside the box with today’s technology (hydrogen cars and homes)
..... Contact: http://Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
WHO IS THAT GUY BARACK OBAMA? HE IS US.We have made historic headway by together pointing our nation in the right directions. After decades, we have America focused on the issues of fundamental importance. Now, each of us acting in concert can together move our country to lead the world to the fruitfulness of moral goodness. I have no doubts about my abilities and the abilities of fellow Americans to work smart and hard to achieve these goals.Barack Obama has the visions, leadership, and integrity for us to correct and redirect our country to once again lead the world for the fruitions of good. Let's closely listen, learn, and move forward based on that which we know deep inside is good and which we can validate with our hearts. I hope that those who had but a few reasons to support Obama, look further into the other issues more deeply. I found the more I explored, studied, and listened to Obama the more I found us in agreement. The couple of issues that I did not have depth of knowledge of, quickly became obvious in need. This was unusual for me since I have always refused to be any kind of a follower, and still am not. I find Obama to be a deep thinker who is articulate and inspirational; and, of most fundamental importance, Obama makes excellent moral sense.Hopefully, our country has learned lessons from the past of mistakenly following leadership blindly, as was done with Nixon and Bush. There are leaders who are simply in it for themselves and will cater to individuals or groups in order to grab for their own benefit. Corrupt and bad leaders hide at all levels. This is especially true in city government as well as county and state government. The corrupt deals of politicians need to be exposed, and those responsible need to be weeded out in the coming local elections. Others need to be investigated by law enforcement and be prosecuted for illegal dealings; for deals they often make for their hidden personal agendas. Let’s look at the bad experiences of the past as bitter medicines, let’s eliminate the need for such bad medicine in the future. Let us use what we know is good to go forward.I believe we have chosen wisely, not by greed and not by misguided retaliatory anger. I believe this time our country has chosen with open eyes, with each of us listening and examining our choice of leadership closely, driven and validated by our hearts.I hope we can continue to make our efforts even more inclusive (in many more ways than I touch on here). Far right republicans will be stubborn to change, but we will need to include them to change if we are to succeed. Sure a few more will leave our country, but that is not the American way. No, we really don't need their false fronts of power, money, insider knowledge, or other trappings that they have taught many to 'respect?'. Let's recruit as many as we can, that's the American way, evolving and changing together as one nation. Try to be understanding as we move forward; by better understanding each as individuals and people with various desires and needs we will find ways to reach out with friendship and have them join our causes of good.Be on the lookout, and root out bad leadership in government and business. Do not be intimidated by those who use the false fronts of power and give a false sense of security in order to lead. Be extra leery of those who say or imply ‘Trust me’; those who give a sense that they somehow omnipotently know better. No longer will Americans be dazzled by phony displays of brilliance or baffled by baloney. There are government aristocrats and business leaders who still believe in the old adage of: “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, then baffle em with bullshit”. We can embrace complexity by demanding true, fundamental, and understandable explanations. We can root out falsehoods by not accepting double speak. We as Americans know how to grow ourselves by first believing in ourselves. Don’t be a follower. Don’t be a follower of followers.However, when we find leaders who are good; a leader that thinks, speaks, and acts from their heart; one that is honest, has integrity, and leads by sincere examples; then we need to in a big way, join them, support them, and promote their causes of good. From much research, investigation, and scrutiny, I believe Barack Obama is such a person. I hope we search for and find many more who are similar, who we can add to service at all levels of government. We need to add/replace leaders in business with ones that have honesty, integrity, and show quality in leadership. We need more people in leadership roles who are moral, like Barack Obama.Remember, we are not fighting a battle, we are the artisans and sculptors of the future for ourselves and generations to come. Rarely do societies have opportunities to make such dramatic moves forward as we now have in this opportunity of today. Take pride and practice in being inclusive as we stride forward. In moving forward, create opportunity not only for yourself, but also for all. Hope is a wonderful thing to behold; but without opportunity, hope can become but a dream never achievable. We can, will, and must, create opportunity.In the coming year I hope that we do not lose our spiritedness, but instead continue to build and make headway. I hope we all continue our campaign for change in government and business. We will succeed in moving forward once again, it will take much effort and good oversight on the part of each of us. We will make great strides in the months and years ahead in order to achieve the fruitions of good. Let's keep our enthusiasm progressing through these coming toughest of times. Let us use the light of goodness and love to motivate us with historic momentum.I have chosen Barack Obama because he best represents my deepest beliefs in America. Please take time to read the issues that Barack Obama has published on this website. Also, give your attention to see how he leads us to move our nation forward in the time ahead. Most importantly, be part of America's great future, participate in the greatness that together we will make. Participate!We will each and all flourish, if we think, speak, and act, by using the love in our hearts.
Your reply is welcome. Contact: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
Historic Inauguration Bus Trip
YES WE DID!!! Come witness history in the making as the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama, takes his oath for the Oval office on January 20th, 2009. We will be traveling on newly purchased luxury motor coach to witness this historic event. You don’t want to miss your opportunity to see history in the making!
Departure Date: January 19, 2009
Departure Location MI: Downtown Phoenix Center Parking Pontiac, MI
Departure Time MI: 7 p.m.
Departure Location OH: Cleveland TBD
Departure Time Cleveland: TBD
Arrival Time: 6 a.m. Downtown Washington D.C.
Inauguration Events:
Departure Time: 7 p.m. Downtown Washington D.C.
Arrival Time: TBD Cleveland OH
Arrival Time: 6 a.m. Downtown Pontiac, MI
Cost: $150 for adults $100 for children under 12
$50 deposit due on November 21st 2009
2nd payment $50 due on December 19th
Final payment due on account by January 2nd 2009
Contact Info: Zerlina “Shawn” Jackson
Phone: (216) 798 – 8674
Email: zjackson@gmail.com or
Towanna Jackson
Phone: (248) 342-9952 or
Email: towanna.jackson@gmail.com
This is a great trip for the enitre family. Tickets will sell out fast so RSVP today!
What a beautiful day!! I woke up this morning wanting to sleep all day but I remembered that I signed up to volunteer with Barack Obama's campaign. Damn I thought as I lay quietly in my warm bed, "I gotta get up!!" My friends and family know I love Barack Obama. This year I have dedicated a lot of time to the campaign for change. I have made hundreds of phone calls enlisting people to volunteer for the campaign, assisted organizers, set up registration drives, and supporting fellow volunteers. I am dedicated because I believe we all have to be involved in the experiment of democracy. I put on my new AFT Obama shirt with my blue jeans and my pumas and ran out of the house.
At 10:15 I arrived at the campaign office to volunteer. I was quickly directed to go to the staging location three miles away. I was a little upset about it because I wanted to walk around in my neighborhood. I was assigned to another area on the Eastside. I got to the office and introduced myself to KiamBo and Matt then I quickly made phone calls. I made calls to voters to remind them to get out to vote on Tuesday, November 4. At 12:30 I canvassed voters with a partner (Sheila a Detroit teacher). We walked around for about three hours meeting some really nice people in the Mack and Hurlbut, Bewick area. For Detroiters Mack and Bewick is the epitome of bad neighborhoods. I will have to admit this was the first time I was ever in this area but it was just fine at 1:00 in the afternoon. Everyone was so nice. In between the vacant and raggedy homes were people who cared about their homes and families. At 4 we finally returned to the staging location to turn in our canvassing sheets.
I have been working with the campaign since May and I have met some wonderful people. From the organizers in the office on Martin Luther King Blvd to the newer offices that have been opened throughout the city everyone has been welcoming and friendly. I have to admit that it was really hard in the beginning having to work with different people every week. I continued to sign up volunteers and donate to the campaign. I did this all for the cause. I thought about how the civil rights movements mobilized without the tools that we have today. I could literally sit in my home and make phone calls for my candidate. I am proud of everyone who dedicated their time to the campaign. You were willing to give a piece of your life to a greater cause, your country.
There are a lot of things that I love about this campaign. The most important thing is how organized these people seem. It is amazing what you can do with computers now. The small investment of programs, networking, and communication has made this campaign the most efficient campaign in history.
I dedicated my Saturday walking around my neighborhood. I was able to see my neighbors and my community up close. I was proud to walk to Obama and I will continue to do whatever is needed to help the world I live in. I am excited about Tuesday and I cannot wait until we elect the new president BARACK OBAMA.
YOU'RE INVITED to theMichigan Democratic Party'sELECTION NIGHT EVENTat theDetroit Renaissance Center
Finish up canvass and phone bank shifts as the polls close and then join the Michigan Democratic Party to watch the election returns and celebrate the work we have done together to get out the vote for change.
Guests will include Governor Jennifer Granholm, Lt. Governor John Cherry, Senator Carl Levin, Senator Debbie Stabenow, Judge Diane Marie Hathaway, Speaker Andy Dillon, MDP Chair Mark Brewer.
Went out twice for two canvass rounds in Northwest Detroit,MI. Everyone was receptive and strongly supportive of Senator Obama for President. A few told me they had already turned in their absentee ballots. We don't have early voting in Michigan unless you go directly to the Department of Elections downtown. But all the "sporadic" voters I canvassed were very definite in their plan to vote on Tuesday.
One exchange was extremely heart-warming. I will just use first names. I knocked on the door of one new voter named Michael. Well he told me that yes he supported Senator Obama and that he knew his polling location and planned to vote in the morning on Nov. 4th before work. Then he went on to tell me that his friend on the other end of the block had just had surgery and he wondered if he could vote absentee. Well his friend was on my list also, so Michael and I walked together to Justin's house. While we walked Michael called Justin on his cell phone and said, "Hey listen I am coming to your house with someone and this is IMPORTANT so get to the door.
We have events going on all over the state tomorrow, and all 60+ of our Campaign for Change offices will be buzzing with activity - why not stop in to see what's going on? Whatever amount of time you're able to spend will make a difference on Election Day. This election is so important, for Michigan and for our future, so don't just sit on the sidelines!
Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 2:45pm Phone Bank with Lieutenant Governor John D. CherryAcross from Campaign for Change Office7 North SaginawPontiac, MI 4:00pm Canvass Kick-Off with Former Governor Jim Blanchard, Wayne County Sherriff Warren EvansCampaign for Change Office Headquarters2875 W. Grand BlvdDetroit, MI 4:00 pm Canvass Kick-Off with Michigan AFL-CIO President Mark Gaffney15031 Michigan AvenueE. Dearborn, MI 4:00pm Canvass Kick-Off with Governor Wayne State Paul Massaron, State Board of Education Vice President John AustinCWA Local 400917233 W. Ten Mile RoadSouthfield, MI4:00 pm Canvass Kick-Off with Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer Flint Campaign for Change Office 877 E. 5th Ave. Flint, MI 48503
4:00 pm Canvass Kick-Off with Michigan Change To Win President Phil ThompsonIBEW Local 6655205 S. Pennsylvania Ave.Lansing, MI 4:45 pm Phone Bank with Wayne State Governor Paul Massaron, State Board of Education Vice President John AustinSouthfield Campaign for Change Office18284 W. Ten Mile RoadSouthfield, MI 5:15pm Meet and Greet with Lieutenant Governor John D. CherrySaginaw Campaign for Change Office122 N. Michigan Ave.Saginaw, MI 48602 5:30 pm Bay City Democrats GOTV Dinner with Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, Congressman Bart Stupak, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark BrewerUAW Local 362 Hall4427 Wilder RoadBay City, MI
