You've heard by now that the American auto industry's got issues. Our chief automakers aren't making vehicles most of us want. Toyota is about to surpass GM as the world's largest automaker. Millions of autoworkers wake up everyday wondering, "Is this the day I lost my job?" Thursday (10/30), the Governors of 6 states asked the Treasury Department and The Fed for an assist; in other words money. The Treasury has already agreed to $25 billion in loans to help out. What else do they want? Oh, they want some cash from the $700 billion bailout deal too. How about this: If we're gonna spend taxpayer money to help our American automakers, how about buying a fleet of near zero-emissions and/or renewable-energy powered vehicles for all government workers who drive cars we pay for? Why not get GM to speed up work on that Chevy Volt? How about a new fleet of taxis in our biggest cities? How about new city buses and school buses? We'll save our automakers, save the environment, and save on transportation costs. Not to mention quenching our thirst for oil. Now that's an investment! I mean, I haven't been to Yosemite in a while. Maybe the park Rangers are already using clean, full-efficient vehicles. But it should be broader than that. In Houston, the mayor's looking into converting the city's gasoline-engine vehicle fleet. That's huge for a city this size. But America needs a wider plan to make a real difference in the budget and our overall economy. Need more persuasion? Let T. Boone Pickens' energy plan show you the way.
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