When You Can't See The Forest ...

... because of all the trees right there in front of you.

Yes, this would be the auto industry these days.

If you make a product that nobody wants to buy, or a product that is behind the times, or doesn't meet the needs of the consumer - you either a) change the product, or b) change the approach to your market, or c) watch your business whither away and fail. Please note that there are options a) and b) prior to option c). So when does the auto industry want to acknowledge either of these options?

Thus far, their executives have continued to arrive at meetings in their private jets. They have flaunted their status in this time of financial crisis. It has taken weeks for them to agree to any level of re-structuring. I am still not sure why it should be demanded of them to do so, because it should be pretty #$%?$?# obvious by now that they need to re-structure how they do business and what products they produce and how they produce them. It doesn't require a scientist from NASA to establish this, nor a Wall Street financial wizard. If you head on down to Main Street, Mom and Pop will tell you more about all of this.

I guess there are just too many trees in the way to figure this one out.

And, yes, bravo to the Republicans for being so adamant about it.

But it gets even more ridiculous out there in the forest. The head of the United Auto Workers, Ron Gettelfinger, is apparently wandering in the same forest - and he needs a headlamp. He noted last week that the move by the Republicans was an attempt to "break the unions" and that they would not agree to cut wages and benefits packages in 2009.

This is ridiculous.

Someone needs to remind Ron that if they don't get an agreement, Detroit goes under. It won't matter what agreements are in place, because nobody will have a job. Then everyone will be paid - zero. Zilch. Nada. So by digging his feet into the ground, he's found himself in the middle of the forest, and blind at that. The unions won't matter if there isn't a company to provide them jobs.

Sad to say, but maybe that's exactly what needs to happen to get everyone to wake up. It's a harsh reality. But it's a reality we all face, and now with a federally-funded bailout on the boards, we all pay for it. Frankly, I wish my tax dollars would go elsewhere.

Wouldn't that be a thought ... imagine when we all have the same tax rate and could write in on our IRS forms where we want (and don't want) our taxes to go!! Now THAT would be sweet.