Stop, Look and Listen
Do you remember the old saying to "Stop, Look and Listen" whenever you come to a railroad crossing? Have you ever thought that it was not only good driving advice, but an excellent guide stone for daily life? Essentially, it tells you to take time to gather necessary information and process it with YOUR own brain. Whenever you see, hear or read information provided by others, remember that data needs to be processed once more in order to be properly understood. I could make analogies to computers and such, but I think you get the gist of what I'm saying.
I've been unfortunate enough to hear some of the statements about the self-mashing Toyota accelerators (remember here in the South we don't press the accelerator, we mash it). Talk about over-reacting! I fully understand that perhaps 19 deaths have been "attributed" to this hazard and don't make light of these people's loss. Brook Shields said it best: "If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life." (I apologize. I know that was uncalled for.)
People listen to what some government official tells them and take it for the gospel. When I read that Toyota was pressured by the government into making this recall, I immediately think about how much money our government has invested in General Motors. They really need GM to get back on it's feet. Remember the Ford Pinto? It was produced from 1970 through 1980. Twenty seven people burned to death in Pintos but, in 1974 when Ford knew of the problem, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the Pinto had no recallable problem. However, the NHTSA did pressure them to fix the problem and in 1978 Ford finally issued a recall. Interestingly enough, Ford defended itself by indicating that the distasteful cost analysis it used for not issuing a recall was required by the NHTSA. The recall was of 12.5 million Ford vehicles. Compare that to the 2.3 million Toyota's with the alleged accelerator problem.
Altruism is a rare commodity. When our government officials show interest in my well being, I always ask myself, "What's in it for them?" Yeah, I know that's what they are paid to do, but I always wonder if they are doing it for the pay they get from us or the pay they get from lobbyists. Perhaps it's just an 'investment' into their future. One of the best pieces of advice that I know is to think for yourself. USE YOUR BRAIN. Educate yourself. Don't depend on others to take care of you. That's your job. This stuff makes the Libertarian in me show through. Perhaps you, too? See where you really stand when in comes to politics by taking this little political quiz.
I've been unfortunate enough to hear some of the statements about the self-mashing Toyota accelerators (remember here in the South we don't press the accelerator, we mash it). Talk about over-reacting! I fully understand that perhaps 19 deaths have been "attributed" to this hazard and don't make light of these people's loss. Brook Shields said it best: "If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life." (I apologize. I know that was uncalled for.)
People listen to what some government official tells them and take it for the gospel. When I read that Toyota was pressured by the government into making this recall, I immediately think about how much money our government has invested in General Motors. They really need GM to get back on it's feet. Remember the Ford Pinto? It was produced from 1970 through 1980. Twenty seven people burned to death in Pintos but, in 1974 when Ford knew of the problem, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the Pinto had no recallable problem. However, the NHTSA did pressure them to fix the problem and in 1978 Ford finally issued a recall. Interestingly enough, Ford defended itself by indicating that the distasteful cost analysis it used for not issuing a recall was required by the NHTSA. The recall was of 12.5 million Ford vehicles. Compare that to the 2.3 million Toyota's with the alleged accelerator problem.
Altruism is a rare commodity. When our government officials show interest in my well being, I always ask myself, "What's in it for them?" Yeah, I know that's what they are paid to do, but I always wonder if they are doing it for the pay they get from us or the pay they get from lobbyists. Perhaps it's just an 'investment' into their future. One of the best pieces of advice that I know is to think for yourself. USE YOUR BRAIN. Educate yourself. Don't depend on others to take care of you. That's your job. This stuff makes the Libertarian in me show through. Perhaps you, too? See where you really stand when in comes to politics by taking this little political quiz.
Posted by TBF at 2/3/2010 9:38 PM 
Categories: Miscellaneous Rant
Tags: Ford Libertarian GM recalls Toyota government bailout
Categories: Miscellaneous Rant
Tags: Ford Libertarian GM recalls Toyota government bailout
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