Rep. John Dingell is holding up a proposal to increase CAFE standards. Sens. Levin and Stabenow are offering a watered down version of it. We don't have time for more moderation on this issue. Our oil consumption MUST go down. This forced grassroots subsidizing of the oil industries must stop. Our CO2 emissions have to start going down. And Dingell's holding it up.
Why? "It will be too hard on the auto industry." Mr. Dingell, it was the industry's shortsightedness and its puppets like you that got it stuck in the hole it's in now. Had there been serious legislation 15 years ago to increase standards, we never would have gotten stuck in this SUV mess, and the Japanese never would have started beating you at your own game. Rather, you would still be able to make a car with a good reason to buy it. I'm sorry that this crisis means a little short term sacrifice on your part. But if you can afford to run your companies into the ground and ship your production base overseas, and ruin entire cities (see Flint) in the process...you can afford to find ways to make more efficient cars.
That concludes the "to Mr. Dingell" section. If you live in Michigan, please call your representative and rep. Dingell ((202) 225-4071) and Sens. Levin ((202) 224-6221) and Stabenow ((202) 224-4822) to tell them that the long term interest of our air, climate, industries, and workers is more important than short term profits.