Car Czar Obama, Churchill, and The Amish Solution

Barack H. Obama(BHO) is in a bind. He needs some kind of victory to stave off the precipitous slide in the markets. He decided not to appoint a Car Czar to his administration. Instead, he awarded himself the job. In so doing, he was following in the illustrious footsteps of another great man who was facing the greatest challenge to his nation. Churchill, before heading into his bunker to direct the war against Hitler, created a coalition government after the defeat of Chamberlain, and created the new post of Defence Minister, which he awarded himself. OBH has never been shy of borrowing from the past, and wrap himself in the mantle of past greatness.

However, this is where the similarities end, I am afraid. Churchill was facing a foreign enemy whereas Obama is facing a home-made one. Further, the car industry is not likely to give Obama the much needed victory because he is likely to find soon enough that all the “home” car manufacturers like Chrysler and General Motors are really beyond help. They are like the few dinosaurs who survived after the asteroid impact: their fate is death and is assured. It is just a matter of time. More importantly, “BH” Obama will discover that the transplants, i.e. those car plants that are owned by Japanese, Germans and Koreans are the healthiest ones around and the ones worth saving. They are also rarely if ever unionized and it would make sense to do so. This may be economically sound, but politically suicidal. Not only will he be seen to be favouring foreigners over locals, but the unions and the American public will exact blood. It would the equivalent of Churchill dispending with the Home Guard and replacing them with Italian fascist Falangists because they are more efficient.

I don’t see a quick solution as I think “BHO” is screwed either way. However if he is willing to adopt a “back to basics” solution, then here is my two pennies’ worth.

“Horsepower” ratings will be easier to measure…

If he wants to maintain some kind of US home-grown car industry, he should swallow his pride and put in a call to the Amish. Their carts and chariots are the only form of locomotion that is entirely American made and which is still economically viable. They are also very green, which will do all Americans a whole load of good,  you know, being friendlier to the environment. The only emissions to worry about will be from the making of the cart and the flatulence of the horse pulling it. The stomach situation of the driver will end up contributing a disproportionately large factor to the total emissions of this form of transportations. This was hitherto considered negligible in motorized transport

Industry will have to readjust to new delivery times imposed by the new modes of transportation…

It would also mean living life in the slow lane, which if you don’t have a job, as many Americans don’t, could be a way of making the best out of a bad situation. Taking things at a slower pace is not only cheaper (you get to visit less shops at that kind of speed, so less shopping will be done), but reduces your stress levels too.

They may speak some antiquated form of German, but they have been around long enough to be considered Americans through and through. President “BH” Obama might also think about putting an Amish into his government. He has tried be inclusive and bi-partisan but it has not really gotten him anywhere. The Amish are frugal and have managed to create the kind of economy that we can all learn from: one that is boring, dull and survives the test of time. And all this without wearing seat belts, or silly helmets.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/18/business/18czar.php

© Sameh El-Shahat 2009