While the Big Three U.S. automakers in Detroit cry for a $25-billion dollar bailout, we should keep in mind the documentary, "Who Killed the Electric Car." This important documentary released in 2006 investigates the "creation, limited commercialization and subsequent destruction of the battery-powered electric vehicle in the United States, specifically the General Motors EV1 of the 1990s."
CAR-ma?
On November 14, 2008, Nate Holden, former California State Senator and L.A. City Councilmember, held a press conference demanding General Motors apologize to the American people for destroying the automaker’s EV1 plug-in electric vehicle. Mr. Holden demanded the EV1’s immediate re-introduction before, or in exchange for, any Government bailout of GM.
GM now has a hybrid-electric car called the Volt due in 2010. It promises to be a great car - it's just far too late.
Chris Paine, director of "Who Killed The Electric Car," is currently working on the sequel titled, "Revenge of the Electric Car."
Simply put, the Big Three don't deserve a bailout - they've had 30 years of bad management and refused to give the American people what they wanted: Fuel-efficient vehicles. Instead, they seemed to be holding hands with the oil companies and other special interest groups, making big gas guzzlers. Because of this obvious conspiracy, they destroyed every one of those EV1 electric vehicles.
I don't trust the fear-mongering about what might happen if the US taxpayer doesn't give them the $25-Billion bailout. Remember the $700-Billion bank bailout just 7 weeks ago? And just last week Treasury Secretary Paulson publicly nixed that plan almost completely - although he kept the money, of course. The US taxpayer should be protesting in the streets demanding their money be returned. I cannot trust this government at all - no more bailouts for the same old bad business models that haven't been working for American citizens for 30 years. If small business did what current government & big business have been doing for 30 years, they'd be in jail.
I say give a new car manufacturer a try - one who will make the necessary adjustments, keeping in mind future energy issues, sustainability and foreign oil from countries who hate America and are trying to destroy this nation. Oil companies who do not have America's best interests at heart have had a monopoly for far too long.
Of course, I am concerned about all the jobs lost, if the Big Three go under. However, let's keep in mind that Obama's energy plan promises "5 Million new Green Jobs... that cannot be outsourced." And the plan includes putting "1 million Plug-In Hybrid/flexible fuel vehicles, which can get up to 150 miles per gallon of gas -- on the road by 2015, cars that we will work to make sure are built here in America." So far, that's something I can stand behind that is definitely a better alternative to what we've got now. That is something really exciting to look forward to.
Now is a perfect time for such a new direction, with a new automobile industry and a new President who promises to finally give the U.S. a real energy policy, for the first time in 30 years. Hopefully, Obama will also consider the Pickens Plan. These are great opportunities, if the US government and business can get it together.
The Stone Age didn't end because they ran out of stones. So it should be with the fossil-fuel industry - let's end it before we run out of oil, and before it ends us! I have no problem saying, "Good riddance!" to the oil industry. Let it and these dinosaur automakers remain in the last century. Bring in the sustainable energy age.
Sources:
Who Killed the Electric Car
Bring Back the GM EV1 Press Conference
Pickens Plan
Revenge of the Electric Car
New Energy for America Plan
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26 comments:
I concur. I sold my car, four years ago, and have no intention of buying another until we're off the oil standard.
Thanks,
Kat
Bravo on this article. I couldn't agree more, even though the vast majority of my family has worked in the auto industry. Its time to do something about getting off of oil, and this is an opportune occasion.
Great idea, unfortunately the big 3 account for about 300,000 jobs, but there are reportedly about 4.5 million jobs downstream these car sales directly impact. We are in a world of hurt. The government allowed this to happen, and the government should pay at least as much as the car manufacturers, this is definitely a management problem. I am beginning to think Gerald Celente (The Trends Institute) is right when he says it is likely that we see a depression then revolution. This is going to be very ugly. I feel sorry for people who can't move out of this country.
if GM wants taxpayer $, then GM should Close ALL its Foreign manufacturing plants - bring the jobs home to the US AND supply gm volts to every american taxpayer!
otherwise give the $ to aptera and let GM Fail!
id rather have an aptera than a volt anyday!
OH and remember saturday 11/22/08 JOIN for the ENDtheFED rally!
Great article. So true. I'd like to see more from you.
Yeah, the big 3 employ a lot of people, so they need to be kept going - for now. But it's a great idea to give alternative companies some capital.
Maybe Congress can see to that while they're at it.
Aptera? I'll have to look into that.
Ronjay
Let the major oil companies bail out the big three with their huge windfall profits! Not US.
All 3 Detroit autos
are the epitome of corrupt.
In bed with big oil,in bed with the cheapest makers of the foreign cars
and reselling them with nice mark ups then pawning them off as equal to the best Asian cars.
They are not American ,Not American in their actions or products.
over the last 40 years they have
used the Fact they had a loyal American clientele that stay with American made. They sold them the cheapest possible cars they could make.
Despite selling more cars than any other companies Ford and Gm lost money every year ,So they have escaped paying any taxes it is like they are in bed with Big oil and govt mafia.
Now they are coming at a time there
are no car sales to get you to pay them billions and billions
even though now jobs will be save .what they need the money for to transfer thousands of jobs off shore?Are the American people this dumb to let this happen?
I Hope Not !
Thanks for all the thoughtful comments!
I've edited the blog to add this comment. I meant to add it & left it out acidentally:
Of course, I am concerned about all the jobs lost, if the Big Three go under. However, let's keep in mind that Obama's energy plan promises "5 Million new Green Jobs... that cannot be outsourced." And the plan includes putting "1 million Plug-In Hybrid/flexible fuel vehicles, which can get up to 150 miles per gallon of gas -- on the road by 2015, cars that we will work to make sure are built here in America."
So far, that's something I can stand behind that is definitely a better alternative to what we've got now. That is something really exciting to look forward to.
This world is run by 3 city states, each with it's own obelisk. They are Washington, DC(military), inner city of London(financial), and Vatican City(religion). The rest of the world is in the same boat as the USA. There is nowhere to run. Besides this illusion about running out of oil is just that an illusion. We have more oil today, because the earth manufactures it, instead of it being "fossil" fuel. The "governments" are in bed with big oil, big pharma, etc. This is a global problem, it is time to wake up.
Over the last 40 years or so inventors have invented spark plugs that never ware out got much better gas mileage, invented carburetors that got up 60-80 miles per gal, invented drive trains that got up to 150 mile per gal, invented Hydrogen HHO water propulsion systems. All this was lost due to the big three, buy outs and then shelving the invention, never to be used. Methodology used was 'not invented here, then not a good idea' We should over hall the this type of action. If the item had merit and is bought out by a big company then it has to be (must) used, not shelved.
plantation amerika slaves weak up ¡¡¡
is not the oil is your life
those london megabankers khazar tiks want your soul you are too expensives
unless 3m,1percent citizens stand up and clean the cesspool dc you are done
Here's my contribution to this subject. Since big oil bought out the rights to GM's Electric Car and sat on it all these years, I think the govt. should REQUIRE the oil companies to finance the development of a new electric car.
CLICK HERE
Electric cars are great, but do have limitations and for certain things, can not compete with gasoline or diesel powered vehicles. For more info, a great website is the one for the Electric Car Owners Club at www.ElectricCarSociety.com
We'll all get what we deserve in the end, trust me. I saw it on a spaceship.
The domestic auto industry has indeed been negligent but it is not fair to blame just them either. The UAW has had a strangle hold on this industry for well on 70 years now. Their rediculous wage scales and social programs have all but made building an Amercian car that can compete in the global market, all but an act of futility.
If and when they get themselves screwed into the electric car market, the story is likely to remain the same... unless or until they finally rid themselves of this leeching anachronism.
That was cool documentary.
YES let them fail. Giving them anymore money is just going to put the problem off til later (on our dime) and not fix it.
The big 3 deserve to go down no matter how many millions of people are effected.
The entire field concerning free energy has been blocked since the time of Tesla.
Instead of opening up the resource base our elite have decided to reduce the human population instead.
That is why we have so many nuclear weapons sitting around on hair trigger.
I know this statements tells a lot about my age, but so what!
When I was a lot younger I had a 1953 Ford; it had a 85hp v-8 engine and got 32mpg. It was equipt with a two barreled carburator and a straight shift transmission. What has happened since then?? The new cars are doing great to get 28 to 30mpg with all the high performance electronics, and they would not stand up to the slightest impact with my old car. I wish I could find one of these old gems, I would buy it in a heart beat.
My blog here, "Revenge of the Electric Car" is currently being plagiarized at a website called macedoniaonline. They simply did a copy/paste job without citing any original source whatsoever.
And, there's no contact information whatsoever. I've posted comments in the comment area but they're not being posted.
I appreciate the sharing of my blog but, at least cite this blog as the original with a hotlink source.
11/21/08 11:05 PM Anonymous said :
""Electric cars are great, but do have limitations and for certain things, can not compete with gasoline or diesel powered vehicles.""
It will not remain this way in the next 2-3 years. The gov should invest in companies such as Tesla Motors instead of bailing out companies who worked hand in hand with the Oil magnates. Tesla is planning Elect cars at an affordable price in the next 2-3 years (the WhiteStar and the more affordable BlueStar) and they had much success with their first elect car, the high performance sports car Tesla Roadster.
The only limitations the Tesla cars will have is the charging time for the battery. The new models are expected to take less time to charge (3,5 hours for the TR), have more independance in the distance they can make on a single charge (400KM for the TR).
For people working in cities and neighbouring suburbs, the Tesla models will not have any limitations.
Excellent that americans finally speak out about their far too big,
heavy and fuel-hungry cars!
And not a dime to this lunatic idea about wasting taxpayers´ money to save the three big fools
(=automobile giants, which also nowadays own the two Swedish car factories Volvo and SAAB)!
The US Gangster government has not yet told who stole the billions of bailout money from the taxpayers a couple of weeks ago, so don´t let them repeat the same trick. You will all be fooled. What is needed in this wicked nation is some kind of revolution that can bring sane and decent perons to the leading posts of the whole society.
Made in the USA Rewards Card:
If this idea were implemented, investment money would flood into green energy solutions such as this. We can post to http://change.gov/agenda/economy_agenda/ to help ring in our ideas for change.
This idea is a comprehensive approach to the problems we now face economically, ethically, and environmentally. The approach establishes a reward in the form of a tax credit for responsible spending rather than a tax, embargo, or other negatively percieved edict. It affects only American tax payers, so our scope isn't over stepped. The catch is, that American consumer spending has a SIGNIFICANT effect on global markets. This driving factor could hold global promise in implementing this rewards system.
When the twin towers were hit, president Bush encouraged Americans to go out and spend money. This idea is much more comprehensive and has a more sustainable effect.
The path is cleared: American's are used to Rewards Systems. We have Rewards Cards at grocery stores and with our credit cards for example. The foreground is ripe in this regard. American's are also used to 5 Star Rating systems. Don't we all ascribe bragging rights to staying at 5 star hotels?
Our technology is sophistacted enough to implement this idea with minimal investment. I could put much of it together in a simple Excel spread sheet.
The Made in the USA Rewards System:
This is a volunteer system that producers and consumers can participate in which will assign both producers and buyers a 5 star rating. Consumer spending that is tracked through the use of the Made in the USA Rewards Card will qualify for a tax credit which depends on the amount and averaged producer rating that consumer's have purchased from.
The enrollment will be online for both consumers and producers. Consumers will be able to enroll in less than 15 minutes, while producers can expect about 2 hours time expected to enroll. They will have one form to fill out for each of the five domains, and perhaps more if their industry has an extra requirement because of environmental impacts. The program will be subject to audit. More on the enforcement agencies to audit will follow.
The five star rating for producers will be derived from 5 basic domains. This allows for simplified 20% increments in calculations.
Domains:
1. Number of people employed in the United States of America. For example, if 20% of the companies employees are employeed in the United States, they will have one star which equals 20% of their whole employment population. If the company employs 100% of their employees in the US, then they get 5 stars. They achieve 100% saturation of that domain. It is very important that this domain be calculated on a per capita basis, rather than the amount spent on incomes in the US because of the cost of living differences that exist from our country compared to other countries.
2. Environment: If the company adheres to environmental standards and expectations under US law overseas, they can obtain higher star rankings for the degree of adherence to US environmental law. This will help curb global warming, and advance EPA, OSHA, and environmental standards abroad. This will also encourage corporations who relax enviornmental standards when operating overseas to practice the more stringent of standards. It will be important to add industry specific criteria to this standard. For example, if the company is an auto maker, and they don't have a declared percentage of their cars produced fuel efficient, then they achieve a lower ranking. Engineering technology would then have an incentive to bloom. Another example would be coffee producers. Best practices in the coffee industry reveal shade grown, bird friendly techniques that preserve our rain forests and create oxygen.
3. Supply Chain Miles: This domain will evaluate the total number of supply chain miles needed to bring a product to market. This piece has a huge and often unseen impact on our carbon footprint. If producers will consider reducing their supply chain miles to achieve a higher ranking in hopes of greater ranking for American conumers, then we will help the environment and drive local economies.
4. Fair Trade: If a producer provides the same standards we do in the US for their employees, then they can achieve 5 stars for this domain. This is not to say that their minimum wage be as high as ours, but that they provide the same benefits we do. This can be scaled of course. They should provide unemployment insurance, retirement, sick leave, family medical leave, protections from sexual harrassment, and whatever earmarks you choose to define that align to US standards.
5. Social Care: If a producer of goods operates in areas of the globe that provide for education of youth, and care of elderly, and infermed to at least the level that we in the US do, then they can achieve a 5 star rating in this domain. It is important that our young be scaffolded to be productive and comprehensive contributors to society in the future. It is also important that the elderly not be reduced to begging and ridicule after serving their communities. It is also important that those who are incapacitated not be at the mercy of begging to achieve sustenance. This might encourage advancement in social domains worldwide as American consumers are an intrigal component of the world economy.
CONSUMER:
The American consumer can register in under 15 minutes. If we elect to track spending on the Made in the USA rewards card, we can either enter the number in during the transaction, or scan the card. With UPC technology, it shouldn't be too hard to total and track spending even at the retail level. I can foresee a future where producers will reveal their Made in the USA ranking right on the packaging to entice buyers.
When tax time arrives, a consumer can log onto their Made in the USA Rewards Account and print a summary of spending for the year, which will also average the total spending amount and ranking of producer to give the total star ranking that becomes our consumer ranking. Consious people will have bragging rights to obtain a higher star rating.
401Ks will also fall under this rewards system. If we choose to devote our investment dollars in 5 star Made in the USA companies...for example a wind farm in Texas, then we will know that a higher percentage of our investment will be tax deductible. This may necessitate a change in pre-tax systems, or we can just change the 401K system to merge with this program. 401K spending in 5 star Made in the USA companies will be pre-tax and partially tax deductible, while 401K spending in 3 star or less, will be simply pre-tax as usuall.
I think it will be important to graduate the benefits in the tax credit. For example if a person spends 10,000 that they tracked on the rewards card for the year, and they had a 5 star rating, that should have a percentage value much higher than someone who had a 4 star, and a much less tax cut percentage to the 3 star, and even less to the 2 star, and a 1 star might have 5% or something that encourages enrollment, but doesn't reward like the top of the compliance ladder.
Enforcement: This system could be enforced in much the same was tax fraud is enforced. We can perform random audits of the system. We can have US government officials from our various enforcement agencies that represent enforcement in the US for the 5 domains listed.
Layoffs: If a company elects to lay off employees as a means of driving up their stock value or for any other reason that will effect their qualification for a ranking in one of the afforementioned domains, then they will be required to submit a change to the website within 2 weeks or some other defined period of time or risk being banned from participation from the Made in the USA Reward System for a period of time to be defined, but no less than one year.
This system creates a simple system to inform the consumer of the ethics employed by the producer without placing any kind of tarrif, embargo, tax, or other invasive measure into the market.
As the next president of the US, you weild the most powerful force in the world. The American consumer. The most comprehensive thing you can do is develop something like this to inject empathy into our spending. You said we didn't suffer from a financial deficit in this country, we suffer from an empathy deficit. I coulnd't agree more.
I have much more developed with respect to this idea. If you would like to call me for more feedback, I would be elated at the opportunity. I don't require money. I just want to help develop solutions that will make the world a more hospitable environment for my 5 year old son and for my 24 year old. You have inspired hope in me and I hope you will be able to read this. I can't imagine who would bauck at this idea. The right of the isle should love it. I can't see anyone who prides themselves in being American and wanting tax relief opposing this proposal. This would also get people on the right of the isle looking at the more left issues in connection with American values.
Nora
@erthluva
Re: Jacked text
If I am mistaken, please correct me but... I do believe that Google holds the rights to most anything you publish on any Blogger site and anyone who has paid Google for the priviledge to jack from their pages, can come and lift your work with Google's blessings.
No, absolutely not - plagiarism is plagiarism and there are laws against it.
Google does not endorse any kind of plagiarism whatsoever. If folks want to post a Google alert or someones blog, of course, they can do that but sharing the original source is common practice for those who don't steal other peoples work. Google does not supersede copyright and plagiarism laws nor do they support "lifting" other peoples blogs, articles, news etc.
That website did a complete copy/paste job without citing a source whatsoever. I made a couple comments there and they were never posted. I also tried to find contact info which doesn't exist. I suppose because they are "lifting" all those articles. That is a clear case of plagiarism.
Thanks for this good post
You got so many points here, that’s why I love reading your post. Thank you so much!
Thanks for posting your insights and experiences.
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