The head of the United Auto Workers is upset. He’s upset because the president has not addressed the concerns plaguing the domestic automobile industry. Apparently, it is the responsibility of the executive branch of government to bail out firms who are the victims of mismanagement or irresponsible business decisions.

The president was recently in Michigan for campaign stop and also met with former American Idol Clay Aiken to have him serve on the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, for which Bush was also criticized. This criticism highlights the intellectual disabilities plaguing the UAW leadership. The problems facing the Big Three are of their own creation, the president should be under no obligation to meet with these executives, or the leadership of any firm for that matter.

What exactly would the UAW have the president do? The failings of the nation’s domestic automakers stem solely from a series of poor decisions. It should not come as a surprise that the UAW president expects the government to intervene and prop up the faltering auto industry; after all there certainly is precedent for such government handouts, why should the Big Three miss out on the government gravy train?

If GM, Chrysler and Ford are to return to profitability they must develop marketable products that appeal to the American consumer. Honda and Toyota certainly aren’t in need of government handouts to remain competitive. On the contrary, these companies have thrived by staying on the cusp of innovation, by reducing costs and by marketing products that have consumer appeal. These are the keys to market success and if the Big Three leadership needs a visit from the President of the United States to learn this reality then perhaps their demise is inevitable.
Link to Reuters article