A Week In Review

2008 Presidential Campaign, Cory Truax, Democrats

For my post this week, I’m going to offer summary commentary on several stories instead of in-depth analysis of one topic. In this one, I’ll tell you why Congress should let the nation’s automaker’s declare bankruptcy, make a prediction on the country’s next Roe v. Wade (this one on homosexual marriage), and give you some thoughts I’ve had on Barack Obama’s forming administration.

Let’s get to it.

Let Them Fall

Of all the plans I’m hearing tossed around Capitol Hill—where good ideas go to die, and bad ideas are born—none will be as effective as simply letting GM, Chrysler, and Ford fight for their financial lives, and, if eventually necessary, file for bankruptcy protection.

This “bridge loan” the auto-executives requested would only delay the inevitable. As it stands, simply, all three of them are spending more than they are making. Therefore, unless the auto-makers address that and institute fundamental changes to their business models, the money would pay their bills a little longer–but that’s it… Still, that money would run out because their system is inherently flawed.

Thus, let’s not waste the $25 billion on an industry that will not recover until it restructures. With all of that said, allow me to offer quickly my alternative plan–letting them file bankruptcy–and why it would work.

Filing bankruptcy would allow the “Big Three” protection from their most poignant financial threat–their unions. All three of the giant car manufacturers, especially Ford, made ridiculous deals with the thugs that run the auto-workers’ unions. The wages, health care, and pensions went beyond generous to fiscally irresponsible. These costs are primarily responsible for this deplorable statistic I heard on the Hill this week: The average production cost for a Big Three manufactured car is $2,000 greater than that of a foreign manufacturer.

For Honda, Toyota, BMW, and even KIA, it’s no surprise their products are superior–sometimes vastly superior–to the big three automakers, and their prices remain fairly even for comparable models. The foreign car manufactures can use their extra cash for research and development while Ford and GM’s money is going to exorbitant retirement packages.

I would offer more advice for restructuring, but this summary is turning into analysis. So, in short, in order for the manufacturers ever to be profitable again, they must do what the airlines do when they begin to falter: File bankruptcy, reorganize, restructure, re-market, and get back to work.

I Hate to Be Johnny Rain-Cloud

For those of you who read me regularly, you know I’m typically Mr. Sunny Disposition. I spin everything with a naive optimism, and I’m always thinking of ways we can snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Candidly, I believe conservatism can always win, and I can typically find the method whereby to do so.

But on the recent California Supreme Court decision to take up a legal challenge on Proposition 8, a State Constitutional Amendment defining marriage as one man and one woman, I am aghast and clueless how to move forward.

Twice now, Californians voted to define marriage traditionally. This second time it was by a 4-point margin and the vote codified the definition in their Constitution, which has been, heretofore, out of the reach of radical, liberal, activist, unconstitutional judges. I fear, though, that judges at least respecting the absolute sovereignty of constitutional government may come to a close soon with the California Supreme Court. And friends, I don’t think we can do anything about it.

The California Supreme Court has agreed to hear three challenges of Proposition 8 passing, and the Court did so by claiming original jurisdiction, not even allowing lower state courts to hear the case. Unless something unforeseen happens, I can see only disaster for traditional marriage, traditional families, and the freedom of speech concerning sexuality coming. Let me explain.

The Court being so aggressive on taking the case tells me they have a desire to overturn the direct will and vote of the people. Of course, they would issue a more nebulous ruling, stating the legislature must also sign onto the ballot measure, but I see them overturning it outright.

But that wouldn’t be the end. That precedent alone would allow the ACLU offices in all 50 states to begin challenging the over 40 State ballot initiatives defining marriage. In short, liberalism lost the argument on marriage, so they would seek a judge to hand them what they want on a platter.

Readers, it gets worse.

In the event conservatives appeal, the case would end up in two panels of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals–a Court that declared the Pledge of Allegiance Unconstitutional because it referred to God. You can see where that ends.

Then, if conservatives wanted to appeal to the nation’s High Court, I don’t see it ending any better. The case would hinge on Justice Anthony Kennedy. And while he tends to be traditional on some life, and individual liberty issues, we know he is sympathetic to the secular-progressive, homosexual movement from his vote in Lawrence v. Texas. That 5-4 ruling, my friend, could literally, in one decision, effectively legalize homosexual marriage nationwide. Disaster.

Once again, I don’t know what to do. How to fight such judicial tyranny, such disregard for Constitutional government? For now, I wanted to warn you. All eyes now must focus on the California Supreme Court. The battle for traditional families may be coming to a close, and we’re unfortunately on the ropes, my friends.

Change We Can Recycle
Has anyone else noticed that Barack Obama is consistently breaking his fundamental campaign promise–change–with every choice he makes for a position in his administration. Seriously, thus far, with few exceptions, it looks like he took the Clinton administration’s flow chart, cut the names out, shuffled them around, and then placed them in different positions.

This isn’t change we can believe in, this warmed over, recycled “change.”

Rahm Emmanuel, a Clinton insider is Chief-of-Staff. Now we see Governor Bill Richardson, Clinton’s ambassador to North Korea and one-time Clinton Energy Secretary, very well make take Commerce Secretary. Tom Daschle, former Senate Majority Leader and Democrat Party insider, is going to be Health and Human Service Secretary. Greg Craig, Obama’s White House Counsel-to-be served as Special Counsel to President Bill Clinton.

The list goes on. His likely Secretary of Treasury, Tim Geithner is the protege of Clinton Treasury Secretary Robert Rudin. And finally–at least for now–Hillary Clinton herself (I can’t believe I’m saying this) is the front-runner for Secretary of State.

I can’t wait to see the rest of the list. Folks, this is the Clinton Administration with just a slightly MORE inept figure at the top.

Till next week, peace out for now.

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Cory Truax @ November 22, 2008