From the category archives:

guy stuff

no government bailout…

July 25, 2009 · 0 comments

in capitalism,cars

Ford has made themselves the example for the other car makers.  Ford posted a $2.2 billion (yup, B) profit in the second quarter of 2009.  Yes, a profit.  In the middle of one of the worst recessions ever.

How the hell?

Smart management, ingenuity, better products, desirable products.

The smartest move Ford made was not taking any bailout money.  While GM and Chrysler were begging for easy money and blaming the world for their problems, Ford hunkered down and got to work.

I love my Ford vehicles and today I am even more proud that I have owned six Ford trucks over the last 17 years.  A Ranger pickup (4 years), an Explorer (8 years), an F150 (5 years and counting), and the wife has had an Escape (4 years) and an Expedition (2 years and counting).

I have a few problems with the F150, but nothing serious.  The power window mechanisms have issues.  I blame it on first year model redesign bugs.  Other than that, I have had nothing but great trucks which took some abuse (especially the Explorer and F150).

I have owned several GM products in the past and they always had issues.  Computers dying, steering systems freezing up, bad valves, on and on.  I’ve never been a fan of Chrysler, they never had anything appealing and I knew the quality was lacking.

So… Dear Leader jumped all over the bailout of GM and Chrysler.  “We gotta fix them, make them more competitive…” My question is this…

Will Barrack Obama come out and praise the work that Ford has done to avoid government interaction?  Will Obama praise the rewards of a capitalist economy where competition yields the best product or service?

Hell no he won’t.  Dear Leader is about control.  He believes only government can make companies and workers better.  He will criticize Ford for posting a profit, saying, “How can a greedy corporation keep a profit in times like these, all at the expense of laying off workers and cutting hours?”

If Barry had ever been in charge of anything, he would know that in order for a company to be profitable when revenue is down, that company must cut expenses.  Most people call that living within their means.  Of course, Liberals like to live beyond other people’s means.

So….well done Ford.  Keep up the good work and I’ll keep buying the cars.

As an aside:  Why do liberals believe in evolution in nature, but not evolution in business?

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general motors…

March 31, 2009 · 1 comment

in cars,economy,obama

CEO Rick Waggoner is out… he was booted by the President of the United States.  This is, of course, unsettling to see the government dictating over private sector business.  This is some thing Hugo Chavez or Fidel Castro has done.

Sure, one could argue that they’re taking tax payer money in a bailout and that the government can step in since its their (our) money.  Hold up…the auto makers were given a LOAN.  To be repaid…

Think of it this way…you get a mortgage to buy a home.  The bank then comes by and says, ya know you’re having some troubles and you want a line of credit.  Cool… Tell you what, I’ll give you the money if you get rid of your spouse (CEO).  He hasn’t been effective at managing the checking account and old debts (legacy costs).  Oh, and that car (private jet), too fancy, too excessive.  You should sell it and take a bus or cab (fly commercial).  Oh, and don’t worry about the kids (UAW) and their allowances (benefits), they need those, its only fair. K, thanks…you’re loving lender (POTUS).

Dumb, huh?

What about the UAW boss, Ron Gettelfinger?

The UAW is the single largest line item expense for the auto makers.  The Union deals have bankrupted GM and Chrylser, and the Big 3 let them.  They have made them uncompetitive in the global economy.  Look at Honda, Toyota, BMW, etc.  All have assembly plants in the US…no union.  Have you ever heard a single complaint about working conditions or benefits, the very things the unions represent?  No, but the UAW complains to the Big 3…even with higher pay, better benefits, and legacy salaries.

So, the Big O needs to ask ol’ Ronnie to step down as well.  The UAW is in the way by refusing to renegotiate their deals in a serious manner.  If you want serious about being competitive, “eliminating waste and things that don’t work”…start here.

This will NOT happen… why?

The UAW gave Democrats $2,127,165 last year (compared to $12,000 for the GOP). Because our President took more PAC money than any other Senator or Representative.

Is Obama really serious about helping GM and Chrylser…or is he just on a power trip?

(by the way, love my Ford vehicles…..)

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dinosaurs be damned…

March 28, 2009

Ahh…the American Muscle Car.  I love seeing the new muscle cars that are set to roam the streets.  Fuel efficiency is not the idea here… I am too young to have experienced the original muscle car era of the 60′s and early 70′s.  But, to satisfy my need for a big block, I used to [...]

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evil paint…

March 26, 2009

OK… this is  little out of control.  Where do you draw a line with government regulation? California is considering a ban on paint colors for cars. Seriously? Doesn’t a state that is financially bankrupt, over populated with illegal aliens, drug traffickers, and gangs have anything better to do? What’s next….banning cow farts?  What about breast [...]

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