Automakers and Bush Pay Lip Service to Higher Fuel Efficiency
The Big 2.5 use Bigger Engines to Spur Sales.
Yesterday, representatives from GM, Ford and DaimlerChrysler met with President Bush to announce plans that they were working together to raise fuel efficiency by 20% in the next 10 years. What the Big 2.5 are saying and what they are doing are different things entirely. Chrysler's big promotion is a free Hemi engine upgrade in several of its vehicles. Next, Ford is replacing the 3.0 liter engine in the Ford Five Hundred with a 3.5 liter (60 horsepower stronger) engine in the Five Hundred's renamed doppelganger, the new Taurus. Finally, GM announced "super" versions of its Lacrosse and Lucerne models, both with uprated engines. Not only that, but GM is also showing off a new Cadillac concept car with a 12 cylinder, 600 horsepower engine.
In separate news, China is expected to increase its gasoline consumption by 25% by 2010, less than three years from now. Already, prices are going up due to worldwide demand. Despite this, George W. Bush and his brain trust have decided to rest its energy policy on empty promises by carmakers and a bogus flex fuel program that credits cars for using E-8t even though they rarely do. Bush does not have a plan at all to attack global warming. His own Department of Energy estimates that world energy consumption will increase 71% from 2003 to 2030. The majority of that increase will come from developing countries. To call Bush's energy goals Bandaids would be an insult to Bandaids.
It seems like a no-brainer to impose an gasoline tax increase both to discourage overconsumption and to pay for the oil war in Iraq. In the past, representatives from the auto companies have come out in favor of an increased gas tax as an alternative to higher CAFE mandates. It doesn't appear that a higher gas tax is on the table right now.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Sony in - Delphi out as Ford's Stereo ProviderFord to get head units from Sony
Ford announced that, starting next year, it will be phasing in Sony as it's exclusive supplier of car audio systems. Ford's long-time supplier was Visteon; however after Visteon was split off as an independent company, Ford phased in Delphi, previously a GM subsidiary. Delphi is now in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Perhaps Delphi was too expensive, or its supply was too shaky, or Sony made Ford an offer it couldn't refuse. Whatever the cause, that's a big chunk of business for Delphi to lose.
Ford announced that, starting next year, it will be phasing in Sony as it's exclusive supplier of car audio systems. Ford's long-time supplier was Visteon; however after Visteon was split off as an independent company, Ford phased in Delphi, previously a GM subsidiary. Delphi is now in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Perhaps Delphi was too expensive, or its supply was too shaky, or Sony made Ford an offer it couldn't refuse. Whatever the cause, that's a big chunk of business for Delphi to lose.
Credit Card Expert on NPR's Fresh Air
Elizabeth Warren, a Harvard Law professor was the guest yesterday on NPR's Fresh Air Program. The streaming version is linked here. Some of the highlights: She stated that for a young couple who charges $5000 in expenses for a new baby (crib, high chair etc) and only pays the minimum payment, that baby will have grown up and had a child of his/her own by the time that $5000 is paid. On average, the amortization period is 34 years at the minumum payment amount. She said that credit card solicitations are up 30% since the new bankruptcy law was passed, and most of these new solicitations are aimed at people with blemished credit. Professor Warren also suggested that credit card companies are intentionally charging bogus fees. Her proof of this is indirect. She states that the errors have a single-tailed distribution. In other words, it's evidence of the intentional imposition of erroneous charges that the errors tend to unwarranted charges compared to errroneously ommitted charges.
Professor Warrern talked about practices in handling payments that are at least sharp dealing. She points out that for customers on the East Coast, credit card companies direct their payments to a small town in the west, therefore increasing the mailing time, and maximizing the amount of late fees. There are stories of companies intentionally delaying posting of payments and actually shredding incoming payments.
Like James Spurlock's film Maxed Out (which is currently going into wider distribution), Professor Warren highlights the extreme lobbying by the financial industry. Also both sources discuss the "race to the bottom" amoung states lowering their regulations to make themselves more attractive to credit card companies.
Elizabeth Warren, a Harvard Law professor was the guest yesterday on NPR's Fresh Air Program. The streaming version is linked here. Some of the highlights: She stated that for a young couple who charges $5000 in expenses for a new baby (crib, high chair etc) and only pays the minimum payment, that baby will have grown up and had a child of his/her own by the time that $5000 is paid. On average, the amortization period is 34 years at the minumum payment amount. She said that credit card solicitations are up 30% since the new bankruptcy law was passed, and most of these new solicitations are aimed at people with blemished credit. Professor Warren also suggested that credit card companies are intentionally charging bogus fees. Her proof of this is indirect. She states that the errors have a single-tailed distribution. In other words, it's evidence of the intentional imposition of erroneous charges that the errors tend to unwarranted charges compared to errroneously ommitted charges.
Professor Warrern talked about practices in handling payments that are at least sharp dealing. She points out that for customers on the East Coast, credit card companies direct their payments to a small town in the west, therefore increasing the mailing time, and maximizing the amount of late fees. There are stories of companies intentionally delaying posting of payments and actually shredding incoming payments.
Like James Spurlock's film Maxed Out (which is currently going into wider distribution), Professor Warren highlights the extreme lobbying by the financial industry. Also both sources discuss the "race to the bottom" amoung states lowering their regulations to make themselves more attractive to credit card companies.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Newsflash: Sanjaya Malakar to Run Ford Mo Co.
Ford Motor Chairman Bill Ford announced today that idol-wannabe Sanjaya Malakar has been chosen to be Ford's next Chief Operating Officer. Said Mr. Ford, "Let's face it, it's become obvious that there's nobody better at putting off the inevitable than Sanjaya." http://www2.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
Ford Motor Chairman Bill Ford announced today that idol-wannabe Sanjaya Malakar has been chosen to be Ford's next Chief Operating Officer. Said Mr. Ford, "Let's face it, it's become obvious that there's nobody better at putting off the inevitable than Sanjaya." http://www2.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif
Monday, March 26, 2007
From the Blurry (but free) File
WWW.live-online-tv.com
We haven't had cable at my house for 8 years now. Most of the time, I don't miss it, but occasionally, there's something that's only on cable that I'd like to see. I was surprised and delighted to stumble across live-online-tv.com. This website streams an international assortment of cable channels. (Don't tell the Disney company, but it includes ESPN.) Now, what can I do with that extra $60.00 per month?
WWW.live-online-tv.com
We haven't had cable at my house for 8 years now. Most of the time, I don't miss it, but occasionally, there's something that's only on cable that I'd like to see. I was surprised and delighted to stumble across live-online-tv.com. This website streams an international assortment of cable channels. (Don't tell the Disney company, but it includes ESPN.) Now, what can I do with that extra $60.00 per month?
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Youtube Video of the Day:
Chad Vader, Day Shift Manager
Episode 1 of the Chad Vader story, the story that answers the question: just how useful is the Force in a supermarket?
Chad Vader, Day Shift Manager
Episode 1 of the Chad Vader story, the story that answers the question: just how useful is the Force in a supermarket?
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Happy Birthay Karl Malden
Actor Karl Malden turns 95 today. He still looks great, and he still doesn't leave home without his American Express card. His pants, maybe, but not his American Express card. (Bad Blogger, go to your room!) Some Karl Malden trivia: He's of Czech and Serbian ancestry. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, with the birthname Mladen George Sekulovich. He has been married to his wife, Mona, since 1938, making his marriage one of the longest-lasting marriages in Hollywood history. Source: Wikipedia (of course)
Actor Karl Malden turns 95 today. He still looks great, and he still doesn't leave home without his American Express card. His pants, maybe, but not his American Express card. (Bad Blogger, go to your room!) Some Karl Malden trivia: He's of Czech and Serbian ancestry. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, with the birthname Mladen George Sekulovich. He has been married to his wife, Mona, since 1938, making his marriage one of the longest-lasting marriages in Hollywood history. Source: Wikipedia (of course)
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Bush To Tour Kansas City Area Auto Plants
Hybrid Fords & Saturns are the highlights
Sometime today, President Bush is scheduled to tour the GM Fairfax assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas, and the Ford Claycomo facility in Kansas City, Missouri. The GM plant builds the Saturn Aura Hybrid (which makes its debut very shortly), and the Ford plant makes the Ford Escape Hybrid.
Bush is likely to give a speech about how new made in America hybrids are competing in a crowded marketplace and saving millions of gallons of gasoline. Because he'll be in the farm belt, he'll likely pontificate on ethanol.
This is, however, the same president who rejected a proposal to spend $500 million on advanced battery technology for hybrids. Coincidentally, $500 million is 1/10 of 1 percent of the amount that we have spent fighting a war for oil in Iraq. Bush is also the president that rejected assistance to the automakers for healthcare expenses, even though the automakers are keeping thousands of Americans off of the government healthcare tab. He's the president who's for a strong national defense, but he works the National Guard and its equipment to a nub in Iraq, shortchanges veteran healthcare, and still finds time to watch as the factories that make up the arsenal of democracy close one by one. He pays lip service to the problem of global warming while his policy people still spew nonsense about the climate studies being inconclusive.
What the President Should Be Doing
What he should do is work out a plan that pays American companies for maintaining their facilities as contingent defense plants. There should be programs to enhance the ability of our industrial base to respond to military production needs on short notice, so our troops don't need to wait two years to get armor for their Humvees. Sixty years ago, we had the capability to transform our industrial base from civilian to military needs in less than a year. We may have gone to war in 1941 with the Army we had, but Mr. Rumsfeld, by 1943, we had an entirely new army, air force and navy. That's one reason why World War II was shorter than the war in Iraq.
Bush should strong-arm Toyota into leasing a vacant auto plant as a second source for Priuses (Priuii?), to be sold to the United States government for general government use administered by the GSA.
Bush should have a program for converting idle manufacturing facilities into sources for energy efficiency products to be used on government buildings. You could put a plant to work making solar panels on a large scale, for example.
There are many other constructive solutions that Bush could advocate without spending lots of money. Idle electricians and pipe-fitters with skills could be put to work renovating the schools where children are constantly being left behind in part due to have and have-not school systems. Bush could ask for tax-relief relating to the one-time buy-out payments that are now taxed as single-year income. Lots of auto workers are rotting in the job bank, when they could be doing good deeds at home or abroad through the Peace Corps.
Politicians everywhere wring their hands over sprawl and vacant factories. Still, there is precious little incentive for the transplant automakers to take over an unused factory rather than plowing up farmland to start a new one. That needs to change.
In short, there are plenty of options for a president to show leadership in the changing global industrial environment without abandoning free-market principles. It takes courage to confront the real problems that we face rather than creating new problems half a world away.
Hybrid Fords & Saturns are the highlights
Sometime today, President Bush is scheduled to tour the GM Fairfax assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas, and the Ford Claycomo facility in Kansas City, Missouri. The GM plant builds the Saturn Aura Hybrid (which makes its debut very shortly), and the Ford plant makes the Ford Escape Hybrid.
Bush is likely to give a speech about how new made in America hybrids are competing in a crowded marketplace and saving millions of gallons of gasoline. Because he'll be in the farm belt, he'll likely pontificate on ethanol.
This is, however, the same president who rejected a proposal to spend $500 million on advanced battery technology for hybrids. Coincidentally, $500 million is 1/10 of 1 percent of the amount that we have spent fighting a war for oil in Iraq. Bush is also the president that rejected assistance to the automakers for healthcare expenses, even though the automakers are keeping thousands of Americans off of the government healthcare tab. He's the president who's for a strong national defense, but he works the National Guard and its equipment to a nub in Iraq, shortchanges veteran healthcare, and still finds time to watch as the factories that make up the arsenal of democracy close one by one. He pays lip service to the problem of global warming while his policy people still spew nonsense about the climate studies being inconclusive.
What the President Should Be Doing
What he should do is work out a plan that pays American companies for maintaining their facilities as contingent defense plants. There should be programs to enhance the ability of our industrial base to respond to military production needs on short notice, so our troops don't need to wait two years to get armor for their Humvees. Sixty years ago, we had the capability to transform our industrial base from civilian to military needs in less than a year. We may have gone to war in 1941 with the Army we had, but Mr. Rumsfeld, by 1943, we had an entirely new army, air force and navy. That's one reason why World War II was shorter than the war in Iraq.
Bush should strong-arm Toyota into leasing a vacant auto plant as a second source for Priuses (Priuii?), to be sold to the United States government for general government use administered by the GSA.
Bush should have a program for converting idle manufacturing facilities into sources for energy efficiency products to be used on government buildings. You could put a plant to work making solar panels on a large scale, for example.
There are many other constructive solutions that Bush could advocate without spending lots of money. Idle electricians and pipe-fitters with skills could be put to work renovating the schools where children are constantly being left behind in part due to have and have-not school systems. Bush could ask for tax-relief relating to the one-time buy-out payments that are now taxed as single-year income. Lots of auto workers are rotting in the job bank, when they could be doing good deeds at home or abroad through the Peace Corps.
Politicians everywhere wring their hands over sprawl and vacant factories. Still, there is precious little incentive for the transplant automakers to take over an unused factory rather than plowing up farmland to start a new one. That needs to change.
In short, there are plenty of options for a president to show leadership in the changing global industrial environment without abandoning free-market principles. It takes courage to confront the real problems that we face rather than creating new problems half a world away.
The Googleteer takes on J.K. Harris
Speaking again of unconventional superheros, Hof's Blog's own semi-resident-superhero, the Googleteer, has been looking into J.K. Harris. Here are a couple of the Googleteer's searches
J.K.-Harris (and) "did nothing"
= 49 hits (3/20/07)
JK-Harris (and) scam
= 290 hits (3/20/07)
There are a lot of complaints about J.K. Harris at the ripoffreport.com and consumeraffairs.com.
Indianapolis television investigative reporter Rafael Sanchez from WTHR-TV posted this video clip concerning a J.K. Harris complaint.
In 2005, Jay Nixon, Missouri's attorney general, settled a deceptive practices complaint with JK Harris providing reimbursement for nine consumers over $18,000 as well as $25,000 in investigative costs. The press release says that JK Harris promised to settle tax debts for "pennies on the dollar". According to the press release accompanying the settlement:
Jay Nixon is one of the best, if not the best state attorney general when it comes to staying on top of predatory businesses. It seems like whenever I investigate a suspected serial bad actor, Mr. Nixon has gotten there first and already has an enforcement action pending.
Speaking again of unconventional superheros, Hof's Blog's own semi-resident-superhero, the Googleteer, has been looking into J.K. Harris. Here are a couple of the Googleteer's searches
J.K.-Harris (and) "did nothing"
= 49 hits (3/20/07)
JK-Harris (and) scam
= 290 hits (3/20/07)
There are a lot of complaints about J.K. Harris at the ripoffreport.com and consumeraffairs.com.
Indianapolis television investigative reporter Rafael Sanchez from WTHR-TV posted this video clip concerning a J.K. Harris complaint.
In 2005, Jay Nixon, Missouri's attorney general, settled a deceptive practices complaint with JK Harris providing reimbursement for nine consumers over $18,000 as well as $25,000 in investigative costs. The press release says that JK Harris promised to settle tax debts for "pennies on the dollar". According to the press release accompanying the settlement:
In a consent judgment filed in Jackson County Circuit Court, J.K. Harris Holding of North Charleston, S.C., will cease deceptive sales practices and will refund the fees paid for services to negotiate lower tax liabilities. Individuals paid from $390 to $2,700 for services that either were not delivered or were not delivered as promised.
"This company told Missouri consumers that it could reduce their tax debt to practically nothing, but for several consumers, that was not the case," Nixon said. "Companies need to know that deceptive sales pitches are against the law in Missouri, and we will zealously protect the rights of the consumer in these matters."
In a lawsuit filed in January, Nixon alleged that J.K. Harris conducted business in Missouri without being registered with the Secretary of State, and made misleading claims that the company could settle tax debt for "pennies on the dollar." The company also made claims that tax professionals and former IRS agents were available to consult with clients. In reality, consumers only talked to sales representatives.
In addition to the monetary restitution and payment to the state, J.K. Harris must provide a full listing of all complaints it has received from consumers located in Missouri. Under the consent judgment, for the next 90 days J.K. Harris will remain liable for any new verifiable complaints it might receive related to allegations in the lawsuit.
Jay Nixon is one of the best, if not the best state attorney general when it comes to staying on top of predatory businesses. It seems like whenever I investigate a suspected serial bad actor, Mr. Nixon has gotten there first and already has an enforcement action pending.
Monday, March 19, 2007
AFSCME Commercial on Youtube
People might ask you what AFSCME is really all about. This commercial on Youtube.com tells it all. (Language alert)
People might ask you what AFSCME is really all about. This commercial on Youtube.com tells it all. (Language alert)
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