From The Detroit News:

As part of a campaign featuring “real people” explaining their decision to buy the Blue Oval, a guy named “Chris” says he “wasn’t going to buy another car that was bailed out by our government,” according the text of the ad, launched in early September.

“I was going to buy from a manufacturer that’s standing on their own: win, lose, or draw. That’s what America is about is taking the chance to succeed and understanding when you fail that you gotta’ pick yourself up and go back to work.”

That’s what some of America is about, evidently. Because Ford pulled the ad after individuals inside the White House questioned whether the copy was publicly denigrating the controversial bailout policy CEO Alan Mulally repeatedly supported in the dark days of late 2008, in early ‘09 and again when the ad flap arose. And more.

(more…)

The late Robert Brewster Loudon, my father, departed this World, just two years ago.  While I hated to lose and deeply miss him, I am so glad he has not had to see what is happening to his Country.  You see, his story is like so many from the Greatest Generation although rather unique.  He survived the Great Depression.  He was drafted into World War II, and spared combat when the Japanese surrendered.  His story is unlike many because in the history of this Country, few people loved the American automobile like my father.

My father did hands on, ground up restorations on more classic cars than I can count.  He personally founded many car clubs over the years and was a regular at national swap meets and the big annual gatherings.  His personal favorite was always the Kenosha, Wisconsin gathering of the defunct company, American Motors Corporation.  He was pretty widely published and also recognized as one of the best professional car appraisers.  He even raced semi-pro for the SCCA and once set a speed record at Daytona.  He wrote a book on cars that he never published.  I will never forget where the happy tale turns bittersweet.  The man, who ALWAYS believed in buying American, announced to his four boys that he had bought all of us something that will last forever, and always grow in value-General Motors common stock.

(more…)

On Wednesday, Boeing announced it would put a second 787 assembly line in Charleston, S.C., rather than Everett, WA.

Union leaders and politicians like Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., expressed shock, dismay and outrage at the company’s decision.

Either they are feigning surprise, or they’ve been comatose for the last decade. Your guess is as good as mine.

For years, politicians and labor leaders in Washington have ignored Boeing’s pleas to stay competitive. In 2002, Boeing CEO Alan Mulally told the State House Labor Committee that “the state of Washington is not competitive. . . . meaning it costs us more to operate [here].” He specifically pointed to Washington’s costly workers’ compensation system, which requires employers to purchase insurance coverage from the state or be on the hook to cover all claims costs themselves, rather than allowing them to choose from among competing private providers. As a result, Washington collects some of the highest premiums from employers and injured worker rates are well above the national average.

(more…)