* * * *
Good analysis, Reverend Wright. A 19th century reverend and philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson, had some things to say about trying to force feed consumers and citizens:
With such an ignorant and easily deceived majority, States would soon run to ruin were it not for limitations beyond which the folly and ambition of governors cannot go. Things have their laws, as well as men; and things refuse to be trifled with.
Property will be protected. Corn will not grow, unless it is planted and manured. And the farmer will not plant or hoe it unless the chances are a hundred to one, that he will cut and harvest it.
Under any forms, persons and property must and will have their just sway. They exert their power, as surely as gravity forces apples to fall to the earth.
Likewise, the attributes of a person, his wit and his moral energy, will exercise, under any law or extinguishing tyranny, their proper force — if not overtly, then covertly; if not for the law, then against it; with right, or by might.
That Emerson material is interesting about unchanging human nature.
In GM’s case, they repeatedly make forecast dependent decisions, when the forecasts of their “experts” is wrong.
In the 1980’s the wrong forecast was that oil prices would keep rising, and gov’t would force higher fuel mileage.
Mary Barra thinks that the future is EV and autonomous, and the gov’t will force it.
She is just Roger Smith in a pantsuit.
The old, who have seen through the hypocrisy of courts and statesmen, die, and leave no wisdom to their sons and daughters.
Or, as time has gone on the sons and daughters don’t listen because they’ve had it so good, they know everything. Until the WiFi and electricity goes out.
UAW Strike Ends with Higher Wages, Better Benefits for Auto Workers
10/30/2023
https://freerepublic.com/focus/news/4193297/posts
They’re getting their asses handed to them, trust China’s plan.
The secret history of GM’s Chinese bailout
Edward Niedermeyer
January 24, 2016
https://qz.com/594984/the-secret-history-of-gms-chinese-bailout
General Motors sells $500 million stake to China partner SAIC
November 19, 2010
https://europe.autonews.com/article/20101119/ANE/101119781/general-motors-sells-500-million-stake-to-china-partner-saic
Inside The Deal To Sell GM to China’s SAIC
Scott Evans
Apr 1, 2011
https://www.motortrend.com/features/inside-deal-sell-gm-chinas-saic-13985/
by contrast:
Tesla Growth and Production Statistics: How Many Vehicles Are Sold Across the Globe?
Daniel Shvartsman
October 25, 2023
https://www.investing.com/academy/statistics/tesla-facts/
Shocking discoveries reached on these new fangled vehicles!
Ford is another mfg. no longer making them. Customers don’t buy what they are attempting to sell. WE KNOW WHAT WE WANT, and this ain’t it. Ask GM, Ford and others. Learning the hard way. Like o-care, will we be forced to buy them?