When the government gets involved

[solo1]

you can't compete.

As you know, Ford is the only one of the Big Three that didn't take government money.  Now, due to that, Ford is not playing on an even playing field.

Locally, the Chrysler dealers are giving $4500.00 government credit (our money) for "junkers"  I guess Ford can do that too.

However, Ford can't do what the Chrysler dealers are doing.  They (Chrysler) are giving another $4500.00  credit (our money again) for a total of $9000.00  off a new car.  Ford can't do that. 

I'm not a Ford person and definitely not a Chrysler guy but this seems unfair to me.  I would imagine that GM could pull the same thing.

   Now, translate this into government run health care.  Government kills competition and  wins every time with our money.

This will be my only post, flame away.

[2tonevalk]

Yeah, I saw that ad last night too.  My FIRST thought was the same thing.  The hilarious thing is......people are gonna think they are gonna get 4500.00 from the government and NOT get a tax credit.....BIG difference there.
And your right, it will probably be the 'bullet to the head' of Ford.  Then Obama can give this company to the UAW just like he did the other 2 without the UAW paying ONE dollar for the stock (just like he did with GM and Chrysler).  That way he can keep those campaign contributions coming in to the DNC.
And so I can only see this will tank the car industry (on its last leg), as people buy new cars they cannot afford and they get reposssessed or Obama signs another bill.   You remember the housing "crisis" right?????
Everything Obama touches turns to lead.   

Ride safe
Robert

[valkmc]

Just like many other things the $4500 credit ????? is misunderstood and the general public sees it the way their political people spin it. The money is not a credit it is to enhance the trade  value of junk cars and get them off the street. If your junker is worh say $3000 you get $4500 for a trade in bumbing up your ability to buy a new car. The car has to be destroyed thus helping our dependance on foriegn oil and our planet.  If your trade in is worth more than $4500 you get nothing extra. Seems to me this is helping the lower end of the economic scale for a change. I recently saw a Ford big shot on TV who stated they supported it as it will help their sales also.

The Nissan dealer here in central Florida is doubling the trade in if you qualify and I am sure they did not get any tax payer money.

[Strong Eagle]

You seem to miss the point, Wayne.  Ford was structurally sound enough to not require federal aid.  Chrysler and GM were not.

GM has emerged from bankruptcy.  We will have to see if it can compete.

But, what does this have to do with health care?  You are not making much sense.  Please elaborate.
 

[PAVALKER]

The Cash For Clunkers or CARS is not what I initially thought it was.... an additional $4500 on a trade.  You have to have to meet certain criteria to get the credit and the car/trunk is then considered JUNK, will have it's engine disabled (seized up) and then the scrap yard can sell parts (not engine or drivetrain).    All that aside, I have see where Chyrsler is giving away an additional 4500 credit on a new car/truck..... but I am not certain if you have to have qualified for the initial 4500 CARS credit or not, which would disqualify some customers as you know (think it's just a scam to get you into the dealership myself).  

In any event, I will admist that I have not been a Ford kinda guy.... but I will say that if I were in the market for a NEW vehicle, I am now more inclined to buy Ford , over GM or Chrysler now because of their NOT taking government bailout money.  And I think Ford sales have seen an increase as a result of that.  

And comparing it to healthcare...... I think the Government needs to stay out of running businesses altogether, already too much corruption in government and spending our money too freely and unwisely.  I voted NO to Socialized Healthcare in the last election....

Edit...   Hmmm, on second thought I can see the relationship between the Government and Auto Industry / Health Care.   If Government run Healthcare is implemented.... the Government will only give you say $4500 for an older individuals healthcare needs, or HOSPICE, but if you are a younger newer model you would get more.   

[Ghillie]

I can only hope that a bunch of people get cars they cannot afford. Despite the tanking economy, my recovery business is down 40% this year and I am getting ready to lay off another recovery agent.

[Tropic traveler]

ANYTHING the government does is going to be done ineffiently, even the things government should be doing. 
That being said, I think the CARS program is going to be a lot of fun for me. I work at a car dealership & we get to "blow-up" the engines on the doomed trade-ins. We received our instructions last week on how they want it done. We are supposed to drain the oil & pour "liquid glass" in the crankcase then run it until it siezes. We then have to move it to a suitable storage area for the designated salvage guys to pick up. We get $50 for our trouble. 
Despite my anticiption of fun I do think the program is a bunch of crap. More government waste {just like the bailouts} that isn't going to work. One of these days we are going to figure out that all this spending has an ulterior motive...& it isn't to help the average man. Quite the opposite is intent. 
 

[stormrider]

More socialism. Been wandering the same thing. How is it the government, which is supposed to have limited powers, can steal from you to give to someone else? Answer, because we let them.

[Chrisj CMA]

I keep wondering if there is a line, where is it?  What does this government have to do before Americans that value freedom and free markets, and a working economy instead of Government handouts do something to stop the insanity?  I for one dont see how the people have any power to resist in any sane way at all.  Thats the frustrating part about it.

[Tundra]

There is a way to resist Chris. One word ten letters, starts with "R"

[Chrisj CMA]

I tend to agree Tundra, that is a way, but its not that sane......well compared to this "new" government strategy maybe its relatively sane......craziness craziness, never thought Id see in my lifetime

[John Schmidt]

But, what does this have to do with health care?  You are not making much sense.  Please elaborate.
 

C'mon Wayne, he's making a comparison of the proposed obamacare plan to the gov't. intervention with the car companies. All this after the gov't. sent billions to Chrysler and GM to prevent bankruptcy, and they still went that route....all at the expense of their investors and the UAW got it for zip.  It gave those two car companies a financial edge which will no doubt eventually have an effect on Ford. If the healthcare trainwreck goes through, it gives the gov't. run programs a financial edge over private insurance, eventually reducing competition to zero.

[Brad]

ford is also the only one that turned a profit last quarter, they must be doing something wrong

[PAVALKER]

ANYTHING the government does is going to be done ineffiently, even the things government should be doing. 
That being said, I think the CARS program is going to be a lot of fun for me. I work at a car dealership & we get to "blow-up" the engines on the doomed trade-ins. We received our instructions last week on how they want it done. We are supposed to drain the oil & pour "liquid glass" in the crankcase then run it until it siezes. We then have to move it to a suitable storage area for the designated salvage guys to pick up. We get $50 for our trouble. 
Despite my anticiption of fun I do think the program is a bunch of crap. More government waste {just like the bailouts} that isn't going to work. One of these days we are going to figure out that all this spending has an ulterior motive...& it isn't to help the average man. Quite the opposite is intent.   

Already figured that out....  been a pattern all along.....

[Hoser]

Fords forever!  Here is my "clunker" I also drive a Ford P/U and the Wife drives a Lincoln. hoser