North Carolina cashes in on the Clunkers program

Wow. Did you even read my post?? I was not putting down Mexican production at all. I said I had thought I was patriotically buying an American-made vehicle, but it turned out to have been made in Mexico. This was in 1991, when a lot of us were not really aware that US manufacturers were shifting to foreign countries (except for textiles, which we Did know about). As to the Germans, I wasn't even talking about German-made cars. Never owned one. I was referring to the fact that Germany is heavily invested in US companies on American soil. I have just recently become aware of how much of our country is foreign-owned, and was merely commenting on that fact, in case someone else might be interested. I spent 6 months living and traveling in Mexico years ago and love the country and the people. Your inflammatory reply to my post shows how some people will distort another person's views in order to justify their own limited cognizance. I stand by my hope that we will strive to think more as World Citizens.

I seriously doubt a 1-3 billion dollar project ($19-$57 million to Toyota) would really lift a country out of recession. Their economy is much bigger than that. The real reason is that they don't have the biggest clown since Jimmy Carter in office and lets not forget the Congress and their "Special Interests" (aka themselves) passing massively devastating economic "reforms". It is so clear that they group that is in power now are either completely clueless or just don't care. There is no other reasoning option left.

Japanese cars get 60 mpg now! The point of the program was to make a dent on global warming, not prop up uncompetitive, "last century" businesses that can't innovate. The best thing that could happen is that they get bought out by Nissan and Toyota so real innovation can then be an option in domestic transportation purchases.

The Cash For Clunkers program surely saved a few dealerships. Haven't you noticed all the empty car lots around the area? Maybe the Big 3 will take notice of the type of cars that Americans want now. My cars back in the '60's through the mid-80's got better gas mileage than most do now. And they were big, heavy beasts. I was proud to buy USA when I bought my new Chevy truck in 1991...until I found out it was made in Mexico. I researched for a couple of years before buying a new car in 2007. Bought a Toyota, made in USA. Glad I did, too, it's a fine machine. American business has been complacent for too long, and we've put up with it. We still believe that we are The Best In The World at everything. I am so tired of hearing about Socialists and Socialism. Quit trying to scare everyone. Our old system is failing. Corporations own our country now, is that Corporationism? Yes, many are foreign investors, such as Germans. We need to open our minds and think, as World citizens, not just react to threats to our individual cherished beliefs. Divided we fail.

Perhaps if the BIG 3 built a car that could compare in quality, we Americans might buy one.

So what would you tell the worker at Honda in Ohio or Alabama or Indiana? Sorry, your product doesn't count? How about the Toyota sites in Kentucky, Texas, Mississippi? I guess the Nissan sites in Tennessee, Texas or California don't count either? The fact that they build a better product at a cheaper cost because they aren't laden with fat unions should be cause to exclude them? Until the big 3 figure it out, they are destined for doom. Bob is well paid to put in four lights an hour even though he is capable of putting in 12 and will file a grievance if he is asked to do more. I usually agree with you Tom but not on this one. The fat 3 need to bust the unions and become competitive in order to survive. From the Toyota website: "In 14 manufacturing locations across North America, team members are producing 11 vehicles including the Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Matrix, RAV4, Sienna, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra, Venza and the Lexus RX 350."