The Auto Industry and the Conservationists

Contrary to popular belief conservationists and environmentalists don't hate the auto industry and we certainly don't wish for their demise. In fact we fully support Congress stepping in and helping out all three of the major car companies. This is a great opportunity for change - for something better. The support from Congress will give these companies an opportunity to re-tool their plants, to build more fuel efficient vehicles and to put our high-skilled workforce back to work.

The same old system is not going to work. The automobile industry must change and this is their chance to do it with the entire country watching. If they continue to ignore progress for a flawed industrial model that doesn't represent the views of this nation, then they will fail and we will all suffer.

In defense of the auto companies - they have continued to build and sell the vehicles that the public demands. There is a reason that the Ford F-150 is the number one selling vehicle in the United States. The 2008 F-150 gets only 18 miles per gallon on the highway and 13 in the city but that hasn't stopped Americans from choosing it as their top vehicle for the past 23 years.

So this isn't just a wake up call to the auto companies - this is a wake up call to all Americans. We cannot continue down the same old road of buring through our limited fossil fuels and depending on other counties to meet our demand for oil. We can become energy independent and we can do it without drilling. It is simple - buy more fuel efficient vehicles, invest in mass transit and ultimately drive less. We will all benefit from this model - including the Detroit auto industry.

Thank you to the Michigan Congressional delegation for putting aside party politics and being our voice to the rest of the nation. It is refreshing to know that in our darkest of hours - our leaders have not given up on what we already know - Michigan is and will continue to be a critical part of our country. From our skilled workforce to our innovative universities to our dedicated manufacturing companies and ultimately to our majestic Great Lakes - we are Michigan and we are proud.