Washington may have given them the gun, but their management pulled the trigger. Foreign car companies that have plants in the US still adhere to the same standards and taxes (well somewhat) that the big three do. European standards are even more strict, although the VAT is better for marketing/building in the US. 70% of the US GDP is consumer spending, we happen to be one of the largest consumer nations out there... and it is a huge market for any auto manufacturer.



In 2006, GM spend $17 million on Viagra alone for its employees, part of the $5.4 billion for healthcare coverage for its employees. That accounts for $1500 per car. While the corporate income tax can be argued, the money spent lobbying for higher EPA fuel economy ratings would take a chunk out of the money needed for "innovation".

The fact of the matter is that an over-inflated credit base is what set the pace for manufacturing. Washington may have added fuel to the fire, but the companies themselves started the blaze.

I would agree that the greens spell progress R-e-c-e-s-s-i-o-n