It’s been a long time since I added a blog entry. I’m very bad at keeping a journal of any kind. I’ve debated abandoning it, but I really do like the idea of writing about some topics. I’m just not good at doing it on any schedule.

Also, I’ve been trying to avoid talking only about politics, but that’s the topic that interests me the most at this point in time, at least as far as blogging. There are many other topics that I like to talk about, but I haven’t felt the need to write about them. I do feel the need to write about my political beliefs, so I guess that I’ll give in to that need, and put most of my time in that direction.

I WILL talk about other things from time to time, but I really want to air some of my feelings about what’s going on.

And there are a lot of things to talk about. Bailout issues, federal budget, recession, etc. I’ll talk about several.

My reasoning for talking about them is this:

All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. — Thomas Jefferson

I have always been very vocal about my political beliefs. It’s even more important now since we are being led by two political parties that seem determined to take this country as far from the vision of the founding fathers as possible.

I want to share a few thoughts on the bailout. This includes so many issues that I can’t comment on all of them, but I want to comment on a few.

First of all, automakers. I think it’s important to make sure that there is a strong automotive industry in the United States. We are probably the largest consumer of this industry, so if we build them here, it provides jobs here, it reduces the impact on the environment from shipping them all over, etc. I’d like to encourage good quality vehicles built right here.

I think there’s an obvious solution.

The solution being implemented: throw billions of tax dollars at companies that have a demonstrated history of producing poor quality vehicles and terrible business models.

A better solution: get the government out of the car business. The total tax on a $20,000 car should be the same regardless of the manufacturer. The same environmental regulations should apply, regardless of the manufacturer. Every government regulation should be the same! What will happend? Honda, Toyota, and other companies that have sensible business models, and who produce quality vehicles will actually be free to grow faster in the United States. They will provide jobs lost by Ford, GM and others. It may take a bit longer, but instead of an industry supported by the government, we’ll have a healthy automotive industry. It’ll be built in America and driven in America. Who cares if it’s called Toyota!

I’m going to stop for the moment, but I want to comment about some other aspects of the bailout as well.