Category Archives: AutoInformed Editorial

Labor Day – UAW Struggles Are Key to The American Dream

Let us pause here to remember and reflect on Walter P. Reuther (1907 – 1970). “There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow man. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well,” he famously said. Reuther built the United Automobile Workers into one of the most awakened and progressive forces in American history. A fierce champion of collective bargaining, Reuther also had a much larger vision of the American society then many of our mere politicians. He viewed the labor movement in the context of community – the whole community. Led by him the UAW fought for civil rights, health care, affordable housing, environmental protections among other things. Continue reading

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Republicans Increasing Support of IRA Climate Perks?

Surprising then to AutoInformed is the latest research from Data for Progress (DPA) that shows strong IRA support across partisan lines. Maybe the beating the Republicans (aka party of no hope) took in the midterms is beginning to have some corrective affect? Likely not at the upper levels of the party, however their Red Wave is waving bye, bye to them here. The people appear to get it. Maybe they (We The People) should dissolve the Republican leadership and elect a new one? Continue reading

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UAW and Big Three Makers – Biden Wants a Fair Deal

The Biden Administration – facing more than its fair share of critics,  insurrectionists, white supremacists and election deny-ers, among others – has to be wary of an age-old Democratic party tradition as well. When Democrats form a firing squad, they usually stand in a circle. However, the Administration has proven deft at ducking bullets – remember the UPS strike that was going to upend commerce – widely predicted and welcomed by some on the right? It didn’t happen. And Bidenomics has proven so successful that some of the Republicans who voted against it are now taking credit for the jobs and economic activity it is producing in their home states. So much for the red wave, unless it’s waving good bye to civilized discourse and the common good of We The People. Continue reading

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Seven Automakers to Build North American Charging Network

The awakened policy shift from partisanship toward cooperation in saving the planet for the pernicious effects of climate change, aka global warming, is the latest beneficial result of the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, which in part is using once eschewed and mocked national industrial policy to effectively serve all – as in We the People – in the US. The socialist aspects of the policy also have larger global benefits as well. Continue reading

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Consumer Rights Nil in New Autonomous Vehicle Bills?

The Center for Auto Safety says one of the proposals, the SELF DRIVE Act, “neglects to include any consumer protections that prevent the use of binding arbitration clauses in contracts involving autonomous vehicles.” As is common in Washington the legislation is misleadingly named. However, there is a need to explore the issue as there are arguments on many aspects of technology and systems that can save lives and reduce traffic congestion even though AutoInformed remains skeptical about the ability of politicians to do so with a regard for We the People  as opposed to We the Congress who are paid large sums by corporate interests. Continue reading

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Fourth of July 2023 – Reject Despots and Their Institutions

Today we remember 1776 when 13 colonies embarked on a notable experiment in self-governance as an independent, autonomous nation because the course of human events made it necessary to separate ourselves from our unjust rulers. That foundation led to an immense and thus far enduring enterprise in self-governance. The colonies had but 2.5 million people at that time of English and other ancestry. Small numbers in today’s world, but they were people with far bigger aspirations, following far, far larger ideas. Continue reading

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Drive Safely by Securing Your Load

The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) asked us today to urge drivers to properly secure transported objects. Items not properly secured pose a safety risk on our nation’s roadways. Objects or debris can fall from vehicles and can collide with other vehicles or pedestrians, causing serious injuries or fatalities. Continue reading

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Troubled Asset Relief Program Report – Same Villains

Lawmakers created the TARP in 2008 to stabilize the roiling financial markets. Given what appears to be universal Republican intransigence on guaranteeing US Treasury repayment of the huge amount of debt piled up considerably during the Trump Administration, and the ongoing Republican folly of tax-cuts for the wealthy and other forms of corporate welfare, it appears that the US is once again headed for a crash in the financial markets, a recession and perhaps a resulting global depression. If another bailout is needed to provide stability in financial markets by purchasing and guaranteeing “troubled assets,” let’s hope we learn from the past and awaken to the idea that bailed out banks and financial institutions will have to give taxpayers equity in the institutions commensurate with the amount of money given them. Continue reading

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IIHS Questions the Safety of Electric Vehicles on Others

“Assuming the new generation of heavy EVs is designed to perform well in our crash tests, there is no reason they can’t provide good protection to their occupants. In fact, their extra weight will afford them greater protection in a multivehicle crash. Unfortunately, given the way these vehicles are currently designed, this increased protection comes at the expense of people in other vehicles,” Arbelaez said. Continue reading

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Automakers Rapidly Increasing EV Prices

AutoInformed thinks two factors are in play here: First demand for EVs is strong, particularly among affluent buyers. Second, EVs are more costly to develop and batteries are still expensive and the covid pandemic supply chain interruptions are making them scarce. One click bait headline had it that “EVs are Bringing Out the Worst in Us” because, among other things, a Hummer EV battery pack weighs as much as a Honda Civic. It consumes minerals that could otherwise be used to build several electric-sedan batteries or hundreds upon hundreds of e-bike batteries. Perhaps such thinkers are unaware of the ongoing mood amongst that tawdry cast of Capital characters along the banks of the Potomac who will not legislate SUVs and Pickup trucks out of existence. Yes, there is a Santos clause and his party wants to legislate the government out of business. Continue reading

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Political Climate Change – Man Sentenced in Foiled Michigan Governor Kidnapping Conspiracy

A jury in an earlier trial was unable to reach a verdict. In my view, things have changed significantly in many people’s minds about the Big Lie and the associated, often violent, assaults against institutions and people as the January 6 Committee during the past year presented its devastating case of what went on and who was part of it. Call it a national warming toward protecting our Democracy after the melting of the last Republican ice age.  National security is also a critical issue in Trump’s case, of course, with his unexplained stolen documents. Continue reading

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COP27 – Carbon Footprint Reduction Strategies Scrutinized

Fasten your seat belt this is going to be a bumpy ride to save planet earth and the invasive species known as mankind. It will require collective action from all the participants and special interests. Moreover, the debate over how developed nations should support or subsidize less developed ones will likely be rancorous behind the scenes. Continue reading

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Canadian Industrial Policy Actively, Successfully Pursuing EV Climate and Economic Benefits with New Mercedes, VW MOUs

Free market ideologues, many of them backed by fossil-fuel-providers, disdain such progressive thinking and are positively scornful of a federally directed industrial policy such as the tiny one established in the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act. Not a single Republican voted for it. This, arguably, is the US’ first significant climate law since Congressional hearings were first conducted on the environment 40 years ago. It’s also significant change in political philosophy toward rational thinking over ideology. Continue reading

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July 4th 2022: An Unhappy 246th Birthday for Our Democracy

With our collective actions we can on future Fourth of Julys celebrate our Union and our collective progress. These too will be Independence Days that build on our past. However, they will be ones that embrace a movement toward an even more independent future, a stronger economy that embraces all, not just the ultra, non-tax-paying rich and celebrates yet unknown non-summer soldiers and stormy weather patriots. Don’t tread on our ideals. Continue reading

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President Biden Signs Executive Order to Boost Wildfire Resilience, Combat Global Deforestation

It is indisputable that wildfires and extreme weather events are growing in frequency and ferocity, engulfing communities in the West and across the country. In spite of the obstructionism to change by those funded by the fossil fuel industry, this is demonstrably costing lives, destroying homes, and creating a ruinous economic climate. Biden reaffirmed his calls on Congress to address the climate crisis. Continue reading

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