Idiocracy

[Since1982]

Similar but different than Uncle Al's topic. Idiocracy=Things having to do with the "Dumbing Down of America" or things which, by their own obviousity, lay unbelieveable truth to life's travails. Such as, The actual definition of "self".
The executed purpose of the actual as existent is movement and unfolded becoming; but precisely this unrest is the self--And it is like the immediacy and simplicity of the beginning because it is the result, that which has returned into itself-and that which has returned into itself is the self, and the self is the identity and the simplicity that relates itself to itself is movement and unfolded becoming; but precisely this unrest is the self.

[Uncle Al]

Boy - After reading that post, I need a drink

Uncle Al
Duncanville, TX

[Jack Williams]

Well i read it a few times, and i guess i'll join you in one, Uncle Al! But i think the dumbing down is rife throughout the world.Not sure if there is an answer to it though. Jack.

[Since1982]

Youse guys will be OK, as long as yer sure of yerself. Have another drinkiepoo.

[Mugs-n-such]

Speaking of dumbing down, has anyone ever thought that if Chrysler and GM go belly up, Ford will be the only car manufacturer in the United States? We'll be behind Korea (who have Hyundai and KIA). If Ford goes belly up, America won't even make cars anymore. Great Britain has what? three or four manufacturers, Germany has I think at least three and Italy has who knows how many.

[Milfmog]

Great Britain has what? three or four manufacturers, Germany has I think at least three and Italy has who knows how many.

Oh yes, Great Britain has loads of car manufacturers:
Honda (Japanese)
Toyota (Japanese)
Nissan (Japanese)
Rolls Royce (German)
Ford (American)
Vauxhall (General Motors - American)
Lotus (Korean? owned)
Jaguar (Indian)
Land Rover (Indian)
TVR (Russian)

I think the largest British owned car maker now is.... Morgan, who still build cars with wooden floors. I guess you get my point.

Have fun,


Ian.

[Since1982]

I'm waiting for "air cars" that have a turbine that sucks in available air and blows it out the rear, sides and front, depending on which way you need to go. It would use garbage for fuel sort of like what Dr. Linus Brown did in "Back to the Future, part II"...

[Kris]

I want my flying car! They promised us flying cars!

Ohh, look, they're almost here:
http://www.terrafugia.com/

(But I don't think I'll hold my breath. )

Kris

[JRMILLER]

Wait, what about "BMW", the 'B' is for British, right?

[Uncle Al]

Great modern take on Molt Taylor's AeroCar!
I'd love to have one, but the $194,000.00 price tag
is way out of my reach.

Uncle Al
Duncanville, TX

[Mugs-n-such]

I sure didn't know that Rolls Royce was owned by Germany and Jaguar by India! What about the Mini Cooper? Although it sticks in my mind that is also owned/manufactured in Germany. But what about the Aston Martin? Is it still made? If it is, I guess it wouldn't surprise me that it was owned by China! Oh no! They had lots of short lived brands (just like US) like the Berkeley and the Connaught. I guess they're making the Connaught again, a modern version...probably made in Germany...oh well. Well, I may be ignorant, but at least I admit it.

[Milfmog]

Hi Mugs-n-such,

Rolls Royce and Rolls Bentley were divided up between BMW and Volkswagen, I don't recall which of them got which brand name.

The Mini is owned by BMW, it is basically a 1 series in a dress (very suitable for us here ) The Mini is built at Cowley, just outside Oxford, though I have a feeling that the plant is currently shut down while stockpiles are reduced, as many other car plants are.

Aston Martins are most certainly still in production. The brand was owned by Ford (like Jaguar - which accounts for the BD9 being basically an old XJS with a hand built, Jaguar derived, engine and a silly price tag). I do not recall who bought AML.

Have fun,


Ian.

[PatJ]

Level the playing field!

The U.S. auto manufacturers (who have to role the cost of a health care program for their employees into their products) are competing against auto makers who countries provide national health insureance.

The cost of the health care package (an "overhead cost") is greater than the cost of the steel (a direct materials cost) that goes into new automobiles.

It is the auto industry now - wait - all industry will be facing the same fate unless the people in Washington DC wake up and see that it is about time that this industrial nation finally wake up and realize the importance of a national health plan and do something about it.

If the playing field were level - on that one issue - I don't think that GM and Chrystler would be in the trouble they are in right now.

Then of course - the next issue is the salaries they pay to top management ---- but that's another rant.

[Mugs-n-such]

I thought the unions always wanting more $$$ had something to do with it too...and as you hinted at the million dollar bonuses the execs give themselves...

[Milfmog]

Level the playing field!

I agree, let's make the American factories pay as much for their land as the Europeans have to. And while we're at it, let's put the business taxes in the US up to European levels...

Not having a dig Pat, just trying to point out that there are many different costs in manufacturing and to highlight just one is disingenuous at best.

Have fun,


Ian.