Listen to Lincoln

Listen to Lincoln

EDITOR:

The procedural vote in the U.S. Senate that killed the $14 billion emergency loan to the U.S. auto industry demonstrates how woefully out of touch many senators are with the American people. Thirty-five senators, including four Democrats, voted against the loan and, consequently, for the collapse of the American auto industry and loss of some 3 million jobs.

That is outrageous. In fact, if the following words of Abraham Lincoln still ring true in this land, then this is an act of treason against America:

“All that harms labor is treason to America. No line can be drawn between these two. If any man tells you he loves America, yet hates labor, he is a liar. If any man tells you he loves America, yet fears labor, he is a fool. There is no America without labor, and to fleece the one is to rob the other.”

Seems like that august institution is filled with fools, liars and traitors. Lincoln must be rolling in his grave or at least staring very harshly across the National Mall at Capitol Hill.

WERNER LANGE

Newton Falls

Ignore special interests

EDITOR:

The bailout of the Big Three automakers is Barack Obama’s first true test of his claim to change. Will he stand by the American people or stand with the special interests. So far, his proclamations have not been encouraging.

The problem in the domestic auto industry is simple enough: In the ’50s and ’60s the UAW created, through their negotiations and strike strategy, a monopoly. In the ’80s and ’90s, that monopoly was broken by a three prong attack of special interests: government, environmentalism and global competition. Their current failures are a result of that dynamic.

So how do we fix it? The special interests are demanding that the taxpayer fix it with a $30 billion-plus bailout. Let’s put that in perspective. As an American, are you willing to give these special interests $100? That‘s what they want. With a wife and two children, the tab is $400. Are you willing to write that check today?

There is a better way, but it will require leadership to get there. First, let’s recognize the contribution each brings to the problem:

UAW: They have to recognized that you can’t pay the same wage to build a small car as to build a truck/large car/SUV. Their wages need to reflect the product produced.

Environmentalists: The problem with the environment is population not prosperity. Their CAFE standards need to be relaxed and their focus needs to be shifted to alternate forms of transportation and propulsion.

Government: They must drop their fleet requirements, which is preventing the Big Three from abandoning the small car market and focusing on products that Americans want and that support existing UAW labor contracts.

Global Warming Advocates: Need to stop blocking oil exploration and extraction. It is bad for the economy, the UAW, the auto industry, our balance of trade, and our security. The only thing it is good for is filling the Democrats campaign war chests.

None of these special interest concessions will save the Big Three in the short run, but they will insure their viability in the long run. Before each American writes that $100 check to insure the companies’ short run survival, they should demand that the special interests stop their attacks on this battered industry. They hired Obama to do just that. Will he?

THOMAS MASKELL

Poland