Excitement Lost

As President Obama embarked on his new administration, many of us knew the avenues of approach on the road we were going to travel to fundamentally transform America from her exceptionalism and lofty position of prosperity in the world.

While this seems intolerable, and it is, in the aftermath of a financial shock, a seemingly orchestrated crisis, much of the citizenry seemed willing to almost blindly place allegiance behind a young GQ black Senator with little meaningful experience who vocalized an altered political arena and workable landscape for those noting reductions in their standard of living.

The financial crisis had placed much of America in a stranglehold, and hope for change was placed in the hands of our new president, although few would seek an opportunity to read the "fine print" regarding his plans for a new America, one based on fairness, embracing social justice and focusing on equal outcomes rather than equal opportunity.

One avenue of approach in the direct aftermath of the financial crisis was the government rescue of the large US automakers.  You see, given their financial constraints, they were unable to survive without government assistance. Except, while Chrysler and General Motors accepted governmental cash, Ford did not.

Those who could not stand on their own should have gone through the bankruptcy process, rather than having been bailed out.  The Wall Street Journal did not foresee the bailout as a worthy investment.

Ford has turned itself around quite nicely the old fashioned way, and for those who jumped in a $1 per share (F:NYSE), the current share price of approximately $17, it feels damn good to be an American.  With a distinct and measurable advantage of having borrowed from the government, both Chrysler, which since was sold, and GM have made significant gains.

The borrowing for GM can with a hidden cost; however, that most consumers were unaware of.

First, as an avenue to support the government sought after transition away from fossil fuels, Obama motors emerged building vehicles with energy sources whose supply failed miserably to match public demand.  Yes, due to global warming, nothing short of a vehicle for the transformation of wealth and the greatest hoax of all time, economic principles will be violated to advance a political agenda.  And due to GM accepting the cash, they were unable to deny the request, or mandate.

A second major decision, as it turns out, was also forced upon General Motors, and on a personal level, it is difficult for me to contain my rage on this one; the shutdown of the famed Pontiac Motor Division. GM did not want to go along with this, just having produced the Pontiac G8 Grand Prix sedan, which was a strong contender for Motor Trend Car of the Year in 2009.  But racy sport model sedans did not fit the agenda over at 1600 and the government forced GM to jettison the iconic brand. With no leverage against the government, who held the purse strings, the demise of Pontiac sadly became reality.



2009 Pontiac G8 GXP Grand Prix Sedan

VP Joe Biden, Pontiac Trans Am

So bent on advancing the alternate energy vehicles and working toward elimination of high powered V8 muscle cars, even Vice President Joe Biden, the owner of a classic Pontiac Trans Am, failed to take steps to thwart the shutdown. Shame on him.

Third, in a seemingly illegal action, those holding GM bonds were shut out in the reorganization, with the billions of taxpayer dollars going to the unions and political cronies along for the ride.

Fourth, the dealerships forced to close in the consolidation were overwhelmingly, over 80%, owned by GOP donors and or those owner-operators with vocal opposition to the agenda of the new administration.

While much of the automaker tale is classified by most as water under the bridge, it is worth noting that the administration agenda, one closely matching those outlined by Stuart Chase in his 1940's book "The Road We Are Traveling", is to achieve governmental control over significant engines of commerce, including transportation, health care, finance and communication among others.

Alas, there is good news reported by Pravda, oh excuse me, the mainstream media. GM, utilizing all that borrowed tax payer dollars, is "early chapters" of a comeback! However, don't get too excited about a return of all the lost taxpayer money.  It ain't gonna happen.

Time is said to heal all wounds.

Recently, Ken Blackwell, Senior Fellow of the Family Research Council and someone I respect and view favorably, asked Conservatives to rethink our animosity of GM.  It appears Blackwell subscribes to the axiom of George W. Bush of abandoning the free market system in order to save the free market system.  I do not.

As many of you may have previously read, my family has always driven Pontiac cars and Chevrolet SUV's and have always held the product in high regard.  That remains the case as this blogpost is written.

However, my Chevy Trailblazer is nearing 200K miles, and although in good shape, if global economic collapse can be averted next year, it likely will be time to make a move.

Due to GM associating with the regime, the closing of the Pontiac Motor Division, seemingly illegal targeting of political opponents, the rewarding of union cronies with taxpayer funds and my unwillingness to support socialism and the regime, a penalty will be levied and my next move will be the purchase of a 2014 Ford Explorer.

The regime should know cash is king. Pontiac built excitement, but thanks to the regime, that excitement is lost.