Remember Thelma & Louise? It was a crappy movie about middle aged women in a car on a road trip or something. Ladies, it’s where Mr. Pitt got his big break (took his shirt off). The rest (those that like watchable movies), he got his start in Kalifornia.
The auto industry is headed for a similar end* (though more entertaining). There are two sides to the coin. They could be bailed out (Louise). If they finally come up with a sustainable business model by March (unlikely), they’ll get more money from the tax payers. That on top of the two loans they’d already have.
Or they don’t (Thelma) and immediately file for bankruptcy. Doing so lawfully destroys labor contracts and sends a million or so folk into the street. Everyone lines up in bread lines and, globally, photographers stop using color snaps (because B&W so totally captures the moment).
I’m for Thelma driving. (Mostly, it strengthens my cinematic metaphor.) I’m all for cutting the fat. The companies made terrible decisions and have held back progress in industrial and environmental concerns. Also, I’m convinced I’ll never be paid for photographs unless I have some Depression-esque snaps in the portfolio.
If we let them fail (as they’ve been trying to do for decades) many will lose their jobs. In a real push for energy reform, millions of jobs will be created. Seems those assembly line folk could make wind turbines as easily as V8s for the latest shitty SUV.
Maybe I’m over simplifying but when faced with an inevitable film-exaggerated explosion upon landing, does it really matter who’s driving? (That some of you think that makes sense exemplifies why I’m not nationally famous… yet.)
* if you haven’t seen (because you enjoy quality film or just weren’t old enough) they ride off a cliff with Thelma behind the wheel. Watch your I Love the 90s for more.
Tags: bankruptcy, corporate profit social debt, off a cliff, SUVs, thelma & louise