Fuel economy vs. Ego and the American Politician

U.S. Auto manufactures, and the oil industry, get another break while the American consumer continues to be given the brainless choice between lower mile per gallon American made cars or higher mile per gallon foreign made cars.

Democratic leaders have deemed it prudent to not force American auto makers to give us vehicles that can actually compete in the world market for better fuel economy. Rep. John Dingell, D-Michigan, is being pressured by American auto manufacturers in his home state to minimize the impact of an energy bill likely to be sent before President Bush before Christmas. The new legislation lets the auto manufacturers off the hook to produce what Americans really need. Fuel efficient vehicles. Dingell (in his selfish bid to keep himself in office through that uniquely, and unbalanced, American institution called lobbying) has once again softened the impact of the legislation on auto manufacturers, and bowed down to their wishes leaving Americans with no option but to send our hard earned dollars into the bank accounts of foreign interests because foreign made cars outshine Americas products.

American built new cars are averaging 27.4 mpg in the city and 33.2 mpg on the highway, while Japanese new cars average 46.2 mpg in the city and 49 mpg on the highway. This equates to 68% better gas mileage in the city and 48% better gas mileage on the highway for Japanese cars. Where is the incentive for Americans to buy American made cars?

The best that our elected officials could come up with is that U.S. automakers would be required to meet an industry wide average of 35 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks, including SUVs, by 2020. This is the first increase by Congress in car fuel efficiency in 32 years, and it is lacking in any serious answer to our nations fuel economy. They are being given 13 years to build a vehicle that will still use more fuel than foreign cars are right now.

This is very indicative of where our politicians true allegiance lies. Not in giving Americans a better product to help slow down one of the causes of global warming, not in giving us products that would help ease the strain on our nations fuel supply, but to keep oil company and auto manufacturer lobbyists in their pockets so they can stay in office.

Politicians have been convinced that putting pressure on American auto manufacturers to redesign their product to meet foreign standards will force an economic hardship on them. To my way of thinking, if we could compete with foreign interests on a more level playing field we would keep more money here in the U.S. and create more jobs from the increased production. I’m sure there are many reticent Americans buying foreign cars who would really rather buy American. But, as in all things, money talks louder than loyalty. As far as the oil industry goes, they have had a far better ride from profits of oil sales than they deserve for far too long now.

America needs to get serious about hybrids and fuel economy and clean air and alternative energy. The only way this change of thinking is going to come about is if the federal government takes the initiative, because consumers only seem to care about feeding their ego by driving a bigger monster-sized truck or a more cavernous SUV than the next guy.

It is simple math. The numbers don’t lie, people. We cannot collectively afford to feed these super-sized vehicles. The owners of these gas slurping automobiles are guilty of sucking down more than their fair share of fuel. The argument goes that they get better gas mileage than they used to, which is true, but, they don’t get good enough mileage.

Sucking up copious amounts of fuel for the right to drive an oversized truck that is never used for what it is built for is patently ridiculous and is stealing fuel from those of us who are trying to conserve. Trust me when I say that your ego is not more important than keeping gas prices down and fuel supply levels up.

Simple logical dictates that if you keep up the demand for fuel then the oil companies will keep fuel prices up. If you suck the wells dry then we will be riding bicycles and walking. This would at least address the problem of obesity in Americans.