ARE WE OUR BROTHERS KEEPER? The Bailout!
The United States Government’s old brothers: General Motors, Ford and Chrysler now referred to as the American auto industry, kept the USA during World War II. In 1941 these automakers were producing the most beautiful vehicles and business was good, but where did those beautiful vehicles go in 1942?
While America was up against tyrants, and going through a disaster (Bombing of Pearl Harbor), the American auto industry such as Ford immediately halted their car production.
General Motors converted all of its production to the Allied war effort and delivered more than $12 billion worth of goods, ranging from airplanes to tanks, marine diesel engines, trucks, machine guns, and shells. No other manufacturer delivered as much material to the Allied forces. G M produced 540,619,000 Grand Total War Material from 1940-45.
According to American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM), in 1942 Chevrolet-Buffalo produced components for more than 60,000 aircrafts and civilian car production completely halted for the war effort support. They, according to AAM, manufactured helmets, uniforms, and weaponry on the very same lines that cars used to be built on, and continued producing for the US Government until WWII ended in 1945.
Many are saying that the attempts to bailout the American auto industry borders the line of socialism, but than again others would ask if automakers coming to their Governments aid was called socialism then?
GM, Ford and Chrysler never sat on their cash or made a profit and ran. One would think they sacrificed profits when they aided their Government.
So is this resilient country honestly their Brothers keeper?
I heard someone say, “All the American auto industry wants is a fare chance to compete in the market and do what they were originally designed to do, sell automobiles just as their competitors. Bailing out the big three could be like saying a big thank you. Let’s face it, Ford, GM and Chrysler haven’t cried ‘Fowl Play,’ since the war they’ve moved on and it has been business as usual.”
“America should hope this Bailout the American auto industry needs is more than just a Band-Aid. Lets pray this little bandage has some healing effects.”
This reminds me of an old proverb: “If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.”
© FREEDA GEORGE FOREMAN 2009.
May 23rd, 2010 - 08:07
I hope this was a very interesting post thanks for writing it!
May 27th, 2010 - 17:32
Great article . Will definitely apply it to my blog
June 2nd, 2010 - 07:53
It is the second entry I read tonight. And I am on my third. Got to think which one is next. Thank you.