Auto Hearings, House Version

Two and a Half and their UAW dude are back on the Hill. Here’s a link. Spencer Bachus has already deemed that, because UAW workers make more than other American citizens, the Big 2.5 can’t get a bailout.

He neglected to explain, of course, why he had given a bailout to all the people making billions on Wall Street. 

Sigh.

Congressman Ackerman: You’re responsible for the state of the auto industry. (Um, except that two out of four people in front of you–Nardelli and Mulally–weren’t IN the auto industry when its problems were caused.)

Ron Klein: Suggests a Manhattan Project to develop the best automotive technologies. Nardelli jumps on it (not least bc Chrysler has the least in the pipeline on technologies). Wagoner agrees–notes that other countries do this. "If we want to move this country to leadership, this kind of collaboration is going to be a basic aspect."

Gwen Moore: Ding ding ding!! We need a national health care plan. Why did you stop short of saying that this kind of initiative would help our industry?

Damn. Barney just interrupted Wagoner in the middle of explaining how, if Congress raised gas taxes, then the Big 2.5 could make more efficient cars. 

Barney points out that since the UAW has forestalled payment on the VEBA, it opens up the opportunity to solve national health care and avoid that payment. Raises the lower costs in Canada, as compared to Detroit. Scolds them for not helping Clinton on national healthcare.

Shelly Capito says her dad used to drive a Chrysler station wagon called the "Chick Wagon." Barney says he doesn’t mind her mentioning it, but that he would never want to drive it.