Quote:
Originally Posted by DGthe3
GM doesn't need to comply with CAFE if it doesn't want to. It just has to pay a fine if its below the limit. Safety ... isn't that one of the roles of the government, to keep its people safe from harm? Private jets, nobody in Washington mandated that the CEOs must come back in hybrids. The CEO's chose to on their own because of the stupid backlash they got from the media. There was talk of killing and selling brands before they took federal money from the Bush administration.
So, the government isn't really controlling the decisions. Because when the company decides how to do something, thats their decision. In order to reduce dependence of oil from unstable or hostile states (a nation security issue) the government created CAFE. The automakers decide what they will do to comply (like use E85, build more efficient cars, or exploit loopholes), some of which simply pay the fine (like Ferrari). Its not controlling the decisions of company. Affecting them, yes. Controlling them? No. |
Whatever helps you sleep at night-- PS I didn't say Obama Government, I said Government- So throwing Bush into doesn't change my argument.
Call me a nerd, but I actually watched CSPAN when the CEOs of the big three were called before congress. I heard specifically members of government reprimand them on the news the first time, and the second time, it was mentioned on the floor there new travel arrangements went noticed and would effect the governments decision on future loans etc.
Affecting/ Control- semantics.
There is only one authoritative power in the entire country that can put you behind bars, and that is the US government (Including state government)
So when the sole legal authority "affects" your business decisions. Call it what you want, but it is more than just a simple request.
Good Point about CAFE.. Or should I say thanks for helping my Good point.
Not only is the US government the only organization that can use ultimate force to get what it wants. It is the only organization in the country that can fine you for not buying into their causes. So they don't put you in Jail if you don't agree to CAFE standards (yet)-- now they just tax you (fine you) if you don't do things they want you to do. Making it harder for your company to make a profit and stay in business.
Ethanol is a great example of the government pushing a "green" agenda and offering tax breaks and all these other promises if they would simply make a product that their was no demand for.
You see in a free society, a company makes products that they think there is or will be a demand for. But the government simply came in and said...
scary things like.. Foreign Oil, Raising sea levels, Carbon footprint, Cap and Trade, etc... look at my hockey stick chart,, etc. etc... and then by strong arming major industry to buy into their agenda.
It is hard to say no- to the government, when they can simply regulate and tax you into bankruptcy and out of business. Sure don't meet CAFE standards, but pay X amount of fine dollars.
This isn't an administration debate, this is a much bigger than Rep. or Dem.
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