Where in the Constitution does it say the federal government — through taxpayers — is supposed to finance any kind of private business? Nowhere! So why does government involve itself in so many businesses?
For many years, the American automobile industry unquestionably was one of the most important parts of our economy. There was a time when the “thermometer” of how well our U.S. economy was doing could be determined just by looking at the weekly production figures of General Motors. If GM made lots of cars any week, that was a sign the whole economy was doing well — steel, paint, batteries, tires, etc. Sadly, when GM production was down, indicating decreasing demand, the whole U.S. economy was down.
In former decades, Americans eagerly awaited the appearance of the “new models” of GM, Ford and Chrysler each fall. Was there exciting innovation in styling, or engines, or something else? If so, sales — and the whole economy — would thrive.
But in recent years, things have changed. Foreign car makers have made great inroads in American car production — and American jobs.
(Fortunately, many “foreign” car companies have come to the United States — including Volkswagen to Chattanooga!)
As American car companies have faltered, there have been “government bailouts.” But that’s not the way success is supposed to be accomplished. Innovation and value are the keys to most booming U.S. business successes, in cars and all other businesses.
Can the U.S. car business “come back,” meaning more jobs and greater prosperity for all Americans?
Innovation may be the answer. Where is American ingenuity?
We are deploring the current “oil spill” — it’s terrible! Oil, of course, fuels our many millions of cars. Our dependence upon gasoline is not about to slacken. But some people are saying this is a time for more emphasis on “electric cars.” If so, that impulse should come from free enterprise — not “government incentives” or “government subsidies.”
Free enterprise built the American auto industry — and all other of our big industries! Can free enterprise — in a variety of innovative ideas — build us a thriving economic future?
Well, we hope innovative free enterprisers will show us!