What these stupid legislators don't want you to know.

http://www.truthabouttoyota.com/
^ go there. (And, before you think I'm trying to pass on this message, know that I am trying to 100% disagree and call these people liars)

If you don't want to, let me explain what this is about.
There is a legislation that Congress or somebody is trying to pass that would mandate all motor companies to keep an average of 35 mpg on all vehicles.
Sounds good, right?
Let me explain why it's not.

First of all:
Of course Toyota opposes it. In fact, The Detroit Three oppose it, I'm pretty sure Honda and Nissan oppose it as well. Actually, I'm almost certain every car company opposes it. It's not just Toyota.
I'm surprised Toyota opposes it..considering Toyota has the most fuel efficient cars out there. Toyota is pretty much already at the average 35 mpg. With cars like the Prius (that gets an average of 60 mpg already, and the future models have been rumored to reach ~100 mpg) and the hybrid camry. I drive a Corolla, and I get ~40 mpg.

Wanna know why they oppose this legislation?

1. It would kill American car companies.
The American car companies have already had a hard time keeping up with Honda and Toyota. Raising the standard to 35 mpg would only hurt GM. It would force them to spend more money that they don't have. This legislation would put the last nail in the coffin for GM, Ford (who is losing $5000 per vehicle already!), Dodge, Chrysler, etc.

2. People would lose jobs.
Instead of this legislation HELPING our economy, it would cripple it. (See reason number one). People would be out of work, and the jobs won't be readily available when they do get laid off.

3. You can't force technological evolution. The car companies are slowly getting there. They will arrive there eventually. Forcing progress has never helped civilizations.

4. This average of 35 mpg also applies to BIG trucks. What about the car/motor companies that only makes/specializes in the 18 wheeler trucks? How are they going to make them to get an average of 35 mpg?!

5. There will be more fatalities on the road.
Car companies will start making their cars lighter, smaller, and...unsafer to meet the 35 mpg requirements. They will cut corners in the name of saving oil.

6. The people who drive long distances to commute, or drive a lot, most likely have already invested in smaller cars, hybrid cars, or more fuel efficient cars. The market already exists. Most of them aren't even that expensive. You can get a nice Hyundai with decent gas mileage for the cost of a used Honda or Toyota. This legislation would only increase the cost of these already fuel efficent cars. (If you think they're expensive now...!)

7. Car costs would go up. Even if the car manufacturers start cutting corners, the engines will still be more expensive to make, additional labor may be required--specialized labor, and even more plants will be built. I know how this works. I work for Toyota--where we make the engines for the Sequoia, Tundra, and Tacoma. Toyota is even making an ethanol engine in the plant effective 2008. The car companies are getting there!

8. Many cars would have to be retired--done away with. Even best selling cars like the Hummer, Lexus cars (big engines), and entire lines of trucks. This, also, would cause the loss of American jobs.

9. When this legislation passes, if they don't give the car companies a time frame to begin working, it could seriously cripple them.
Car companies can't take every single car and make it have 100 mpg overnight. There has to be research, development...You have to give TIME for development.

10. GM/Chrysler, Dodge, etc..are just now recovering from negative profits. They need time to get back on their feet.
GM was once the biggest car maker in the world. Toyota has recently replaced them.
As a capitalist, I love competition. If this bill/thing goes through, it would completely cripple competition, and Toyota would stay on top (being the closest to the average 35 mpg legislation--Toyota would be there if they drop...two car lines--Sequoia and the V8 Tundra).
So, if these legislators are really American, they would recognize the pride of GM/Ford as the biggest automakers in the world. The first automakers. AMERICAN created. Do they really want to shut down Ford and GM?
Those are questions we SHOULD be asking THEM.

A smoking gun? Not inside, it's not.

To all of you who smoke out there, I have a message:

Stop. It's bad for you.

Ok, that being said, I can now cheerfully acknowledge that you have been warned of the consequences of your actions, and have every right to continue to smoke as you please.

Unless, of course, I am the Decatur Alabama city council.

They have decided, in their lofty wisdom, that smoking shall not be permitted in public places.

To be more specific:

(from http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/070923/week.shtml)

On Oct. 1, Decatur will become the largest Alabama city to ban smoking in all public places, including bars, restaurants, outdoor sporting arenas, businesses with employees and enclosed spaces frequented by the public. Decatur is just the seventh city in Alabama to do so.

"Enclosed spaces frequented by the public" is vague enough to include just about anywhere short of a cow pasture or cotton field, so we can conclude that what really it boils down to is the ability to fine you if you are smoking, and they feel like it.

Apparently this bit of Orwellian small-town politics was proposed by councilman Ronny Russel, who claims he was forced to quit a job (unfortunately not his current one) because he was allergic to secondhand cigarette smoke. (I have also heard that it was because someone blew smoke on him in a restaurant, but cannot verify the accuracy of that statement)

I understand his affliction, given that I am also allergic to cigarette fumes. However, unlike him, I appreciate the liberty we enjoy as American citizens, and am rather in favor of expanding it in the face of government encroachment, as opposed to spearheading the assault on our freedoms.

If you want to smoke, you should be able to do so. For that matter, if you choose to chain smoke your way through as many packs a day as you can, go right ahead. It may not be an intelligent or healthy decision, but I don't recall the Constitution making that distinction.

I can only predict that the next step will be to ban seafood in Decatur, when one of the councilmen gets food poisoning from a bit of aged shrimp. And deus avertat they should choke on some barbecue, or we can say goodbye to Bob Gibson's and the best pork stuffed potatoes this side of heaven...

-Oak