Saving the American Auto Industry

The American auto industry is in serious trouble.  All three of the “Big 3″ are in danger of going bankrupt due to many reasons ranging from foreign competion, to mis-management, to high costs brought on by union contracts, to lack of vision.

I would appoint a commission headed by two people with opposite political views as chairmen.  My personal choices would be Lee Iacocca and Mitt Romney.  Both of those gentlemen are familiar with Michigan and both are familiar with bringing an organization out of the pit of decline and despair.  Both care about getting America moving again and both love our country.

I would allow them to choose the remainder of the commision themselves, but would suggest that they choose people from both within government and from the business and economic worlds.  I would suggest that they not include anyone from union leadership as part of the commission, but allow the unions to testify before the commission with their views and opinions.

I would give the commission the task of making recomendations to the auto industry and to the states of ways to save the industry in general and their individual companies in particular without a government bail out (if possible).  A bail out of the “Big 3″ would be the last of last resorts. 

When the recommendations are ready, I would require that the report be sent to each state that has auto manufacturing and to Congress and the White House.  I would also require that a short explanation of the recommendation be sent to every television and radio station and every newspaper in the applicable areas.  A web site would also be created to explain what the recommendations are.  By doing all of this, there could be no hidden agendas involved and nothing hidden from the public.  If, for example, the report would say that the states need to cut taxes for those businesses or if the unions need to give up things, there can be no mistaking what the commission actually said.  No twisting of words by those opposed to the suggestions or those who wanted more.

It may not provide the answer.  It might, however, get the discussion of what to do about the problem moving.

Stopping the Sanctuary City Phenomenon

The concept of sanctuary cities for those who are in this country illegally is fundamentally wrong and sets a bad example for all citizens.  It tells the youth of this country that it doesn’t matter whether you break laws if you don’t like them.  It’s alright.  We’ll protect you.  Go ahead and break the law.  You don’t need to obey the rules.

I submit to you that if you don’t like a law, use the system to change the law.  If there is enough support of people who agree with you, it can be changed.  You shouldn’t thumb your nose at authority and do whatever pleases you regardless of the law. 

I would suggest that we announce that every city that has announced that it is a sanctuary city has 48 hours to rescind that position and move into a position of a lawful city.  At the end of 48 hours, we would begin the process of punishing the cities that still remain opposed to the law of the land.

I would begin punishment with San Francisco.  I presume that they would thumb their noses at the demand to change, just as they have thumbed their nose at both federal and state governments over the years regarding the laws of both the state and the nation.  They seem to be thrilled to be the most vocal and most radical against anything to do with any government outside the city limits.

I would begin by cutting off all federal funds to the city and would freeze any city assets possible.  I would temporarily halt all work being done by federal employees in the city of San Francisco.  That would include postal workers and air traffic controllers.  The postal workers could continue to deliver only government checks to the citizens, but nothing to the city or businesses.  The air traffic controllers would remain at their posts for emergency purposes, but would not authorize any take offs or landings from San Francisco’s airports.

The idea would be to get the city to realize that they are part of a larger world and that there are rules that need to be followed.  Eventually, the city will find that it cannot support itself.  Eventually, business owners will find that the people they have chosen to run their city should think of what is good for the city, not just what will be radical or fun.  Eventually those people in charge of the city will decide to do what is right.

And when they do, we can get back to business as it should be.  And then, move on to the next city that remains on the list…