I dunno. But hey! Who's up for some flapjacks?!
Posted on 06/08/2011 7:43:47 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
They don’t call it Government Motors for nothing, you know:
General Motors Co. CEO Dan Akerson wants the federal gas tax boosted as much as $1 a gallon to nudge consumers toward more fuel-efficient cars, and he’s confident the government will soon shed its remaining 26 percent stake in the once-bankrupt automaker. …
And while he is eager to say goodbye to the government as a part owner of GM, Akerson would like to see it step up to the challenge of setting a higher gas tax, as part of a comprehensive energy policy.
A government-imposed tax hike, Akerson believes, will prompt more people to buy small cars and do more good for the environment than forcing automakers to comply with higher gas-mileage standards.
“There ought to be a discussion on the cost versus the benefits,” he said. “What we are going to do is tax production here, and that will cost us jobs.”
By taxing production, Akerson refers to the effort to raise the CAFE standards for average fuel efficiency. The Obama administration wants to push US automakers to stop producing so-called gas guzzlers, pushing the average efficiency to as high as 62 MPG by 2025. Akerson says that will add $3500 to the average price of cars, which will put US automakers in poor competitive position against their imported competition.
That argument has two problems. First, politicians will continue to tinker with CAFE standards regardless of tax policy, so Akerson’s trade wouldn’t be a trade at all — it would be an additional cost on top of the financial and safety tradeoffs that come with increased CAFE mandates. Second, the problem in this case isn’t which government intervention to demand but the government mandates themselves, on a cost issue that should be regulated by consumer demand. When gas prices rise, people will look for more fuel efficiency without government either stripping consumers of choice or taxing them into oblivion.
Besides, this is hardly the environment in which to demand a gas-tax hike. Drivers have already gotten sticker shock from skyrocketing costs at the pump — and at the grocery store. Akerson seems to be blissfully unaware that while CAFE standards impact costs in his industry, gas tax hikes impact costs throughout the entire distribution chain. Gas prices have a multiplying effect as they impact costs of bringing all goods to market, especially food. Consumers are already seeing their declining buying power erode even faster due to escalating fuel prices and an insane government policy that keeps America from exploiting its own resources to bring more supply on line and stabilize the markets.
Rather than solve the actual problems, Akerson defaults to piling more taxes on consumers as a solution. Maybe consumers should keep that in mind when considering GM for their next transportation solution, too.
Yes, it does peel off easily and cleanly.
I am well aware of what a minimum wage worker has to put up with.
Typically a neatly done and professional looking sticker will stay on the pump for a week or so, vs a few customers for a scrawled Post-It note.
Ford trucks are pretty darn good for the money. Out here in the farm states there are quite a few around.
Right. And no more taxes withheld from paychecks - send everyone a quarterly bill from Uncle Sam, and another from their state.
Before long there would be a tax revolt.
Good comments on this thread and a couple of STATIST’s that agree with the CEO...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2731262/posts
Answer: GM as a corporation must die by going through a REAL bankruptcy. If it can be restructured, perhaps it can be reborn. If not, then let Obama’s Government Motors and its UAW thugs go to Hell where their likes are appreciated.
That was what I was getting at and I have proposed the above myself many times, let me add: "..send everyone a quarterly bill from Uncle Sam which they have to mail back with a check or supply a credit card or bank account number (automatic payments) and make payment within 30 days or pay late fees."
Of course not even congressional Republicans want that. I had a freeper once tell me he didnt want the government to be forced to limit spending because Democrats might cut Republican (his) desired spending first when they have control of DC, that was a couple of years ago though 2009.
I dunno. But hey! Who's up for some flapjacks?!
How about a quick liquidation of the company and sales of it’s assets to a non-union competitor that isn’t a pet monkey of the Washington Cabal.
Thanks. Now I have Diet Pepsi all over my keyboard and monitor.
90% of that tax money will go to the elite and not for whatever they say it’s for. This is why many of the Super Rich are always for tax increases. It’s more money in their back pockets, at the expense of our money, through whatever Trojan Horse they say it’s for.
You can’t tell the difference between big corporations and the state anymore.
“Pure brilliance. How about a 50% tax on pizza to encourage the consumption of healthier food? Maybe an X-box or Nintendo tax to encourage physical activity for youths? Wow, the possibilities are endless.”
SHHHH...QUIET! Stop giving them ideas!
Hey! He’s just trying to raise more funds to pay the GM union workers so they can pay the Democrats.
Boost fuel taxes by $1 per gallon and watch the economy tank. Akerson is a fool.
I want to pay more
MORE
M O R E !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Akerson once said that broadband is a waste of resources — “who needs a data line faster than they can type?”
He is an economist, not a technology-savvy executive.
Hi sorry I was offline. Are you considering a compact car?
The Focus is a very good Sedan. There’s a small high-mileage new model called Fiesta which gets 40 mpg.
If you like small SUV’s actually the Escape in quite nice.
I’m most intrigued by something the Ford CEO Mulally - a former aerospace CEO - mentioned yesterday to Cramer on Mad Money. For a couple years I’ve been following rumors Ford would remake the Ranger. I’ve been interested in a smaller version of the F-150, have seen numerous internet rumors of a coming mystery pickup (perhaps branded F-100) styled like the F-150 but smaller.
I even heard a sideways reference to the rumor from a dealer.
Yesterday, Mulally said the words “the new Ranger”.
My ears perked up. That was all the cat, he let out of the bag - but that’s the one I’m waiting for. :)
I’ve had a Mustang though, and can vouch for the superb quality and SOLID durability of the car. It was virtually indestructable.
I’ve had a couple Fords and really liked them. Very reliable, low maintenance and built great. Good old fashioned American quality.
I’d say anyway, drop by a showroom and let them try to talk you out of the Toyota. That’s a very effective negotiating tactic anyway - you might find they offer to a deal too good to walk away from. :)
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