I believe we can be saved, if our new government officials make the right moves.  And our salvation can come from the unlikeliest of sources, which are floundering financial institutions, big oil, the crashing auto industry (Detroit), a galling recession, and yes, our government!

I have never been a fan of government intervention in anything, but the present situation, as outlined above, is just the occasion for government intervention--provided our governors act right. 

Here’s what I propose…

1.  Obama and our new congress must sit with big oil and make a deal.  Tell the oil companies they can keep their profits, have more tax breaks, and make more money--IF--they agree to manufacture a single alternative fuel for widespread automobile use and distribution and do so within a target timeframe.  The best new fuel alternative to gasoline should be selected, all the companies must agree, and they must genuinely commit to providing this new fuel, be it ethanol, hydrogen, or even electricity.  We also have to give big oil a(nother) break or two so they can build/retool the facilities to produce our new fuel.

2.  Now time to visit Detroit!  The automobile industry will design, develop, and produce new cars that reliably run on our new fuel supply, meet our transportation needs, and don’t look like eggs or milk cartons with tires. 

3.  Next stop, the bank.  The banks will be given cash infusions for loans to new car buyers, so average folk can buy reasonably priced new vehicles running on alternative fuel. 

4. Thanks to cheap labor, provided by the recession, we now have a labor pool sufficient to work in new refineries and factories to produce a new fuel and new automobiles which are consistent with our needs as a nation.

In the end, big oil keeps their money, the automakers survive, people are put to work, and banks have money to make loans to working families. 

Salvation and Detroit…two words you never thought you’d hear in the same sentence!

Since this can only be pulled off by our government working in concert with itself, oil companies, those oil companies coming to a consensus, an automobile industry that insists on producing V6 engines becoming sensible, and banks that either can’t or don’t want to loan money…well…I have solidified my reputation as a dreamer. 

Maybe we could fight another world war instead.  It kinda worked last time, it’s easier, and much more likely than the above scenario…Oh well, it’s just a blog and I can dream, right?

:-)
MP