Posted on 06/08/2011 1:37:07 PM PDT by MichCapCon
It appears peculiar that a company would demand that government do something that hurts its customers. But that’s what many limited-government policy experts are saying after General Motors CEO Dan Akerson told the Detroit News that he wants to see the federal government raise its gas tax by as much as $1 per gallon. Akerson told the Detroit News that he’d like to see the federal gas tax hiked to get customers to be more receptive to smaller more fuel-efficient vehicles.
According to the Detroit News: “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.”
Akerson’s comments highlight a conflict of interest between General Motors’ ability to please customers and the federal government, which bailed it out and still owns 26 percent of the company, according to Sam Kazman, general counsel for the Competitive Enterprise Institute.
“It’s crazy to see industry serving government rather than serving the public,” Kazman said. “Carmakers are calling for an increase in the cost of the things that drive their product – gasoline. That suggests there is something really wrong with the world.”
(Excerpt) Read more at michigancapitolconfidential.com ...
Do they really think that by jacking up the price of gas by another Dollar, that people will have MORE money to buy a new car with?
What does he care? He won’t notice it.
GM CEO, “If we can get our congress-critters to increase the gasoline tax to $14 a gallon, think of how many Volts we could sell!”
“Call out the flying monkeys, teamsters, and UAW!”
Mark
I would happily pay a dollar more a gallon in taxes. Why? Because that would ensure that B. Obama would not be re-elected. Worth it.
It’s amazing how lifelike he seems, if you ignore Obama’s hand up his a**.
Why is it always a-hole who make stupid statement like this.
Unemployment is over 9%, people are losing their homes, have given up looking for a job that do not exist, selling items to get money to by food with to feed their families and along comes a moron who make 9 million a year wanting to add even more burdens to joe six pack.
And by the way, when is GM going to pay the tax payers back for all the money that mac daddy gave to them.
And why is GM going to build that loser Volt is Mexico at cheap labor and still charge $50,000.00 for this POS?
Customer Relationship Specialist: Joan
Dear Sgt_Schultze,
Thank you for contacting the General Motors Customer Assistance Center. We appreciate you advising us of your concerns and providing us the opportunity to consider your comments for our business.
Mr. Akerson's comments regarding gas taxes were part of a far-ranging interview on energy policy and what types of market forces can move consumers toward more fuel efficient vehicles. While left unsaid in the interview, Mr. Akerson understands raising taxes more appropriately resides with policy makers.
One of the best things about America is that we have the freedom to openly discuss our personal values, ideas and beliefs. We recognize that individuals have many different views. Thank you for sharing yours with us. Your thoughts and opinions are very important to us. The opinions of our customers are always valued and considered.
So, it seems at this point, he's standing by his request for higher taxes (while realizing it is the government's job to implement them).
Another frickin tool.
I hear the sound of Mr. Akerson’s golden parachute starting to deploy.
Maybe that’s his plan ... looking for a quick payout.
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