Campaign Blog
Let Toyota fix their cars already!
Toyota makes cars. Toyota sells cars. Toyota answers for any problems with their product in the marketplace. Recently, when Toyota recognized a problem with some of their cars, they initiated a recall. Do you know why?
Toyota recalled the problematic cars because they wanted to avoid liability for any damage or injuries that may result from the problem with their cars. They didn’t want to go to court and waste resources defending lawsuits. The individuals at Toyota probably didn’t want the sleepless nights that result when you do something that hurts other people. There are a thousand reasons for Toyota to recall their cars. But, one reason is paramount: Toyota wants to sell more cars.
Following the recall of Firestone tires in 2000, Congress passed legislation requiring auto manufacturers to give them information on consumer complaints, property damage, injuries, deaths…even warranty claims. Our representatives in Washington demand to know all this. The man-hours, expense, and effort of providing this information must add a nice chunk to the high
prices we already pay for cars. Now Congress is investigating Toyota.
My congressman said, “We want to find out what Toyota knows about the sudden acceleration problem with several of their vehicles and we want to know what will be done to protect
consumers who are currently driving those vehicles,” Why? Why does the government need to know this? Where in the Constitution does it say that government even has the right to know
this? And, what use is this information to them, anyway?
Although it is a great coincidence that this governmental imperative on Toyota comes only a few weeks after the U.S. auto industry was… basically nationalized, I will not speculate. I am certain
of one thing, though. I trust Toyota to make better cars than my government. I trust Toyota more than my government. But, I may be wrong; I’ve never seen my congressman with a
wrench.
Tags: Bart Stupak, Economy
Drive your toyota then. Why should the government care about their citizens? If we all start dying then good for us. Stupid seatbelts, they make cars cost more. Ever hear of insurance? Who pays when people get in accidents? Insurance holders. Hey, I’ve got an idea, let’s get rid of the requirement for car insurance too. It’s expensive, and not everyone who drives gets in accidents.
Toyota was already addressing the problem, because the free market requires that they do so. People don’t want unsafe cars. Toyota knows that. Government regulation is unnecessary and their overbearing interventions do not make us safer…just poorer.
Government caring about their citizens usually translates to controlling them. Seatbelts are wonderful, and I’m glad we have them. When government requires us to wear them, it’s not OK.
My dad pulled a woman from a wreck and discovered that her seatbelt had lacerated her hip down to the bone. Shouldn’t she have been permitted to choose what kind of injury to suffer?
Mike doesn’t see the truth in his facetiousness. No one should be required to carry any kind of insurance. Of course, those who choose not to be insured cannot subsequently whine when they suffer a loss. But it is a choice and should remain one.
We all know that seat belts can be an asset. As a former cop I’ve seen seat belts save lives. I’ve also seen the lack of a seat belt save lives by allowing the occupant to be expelled from the car before it plunged 70 feet into a ravine. I saw an old woman with my own eyes get thrown out of the infamous “Bronco II” and over a guard rail at high speed. Not one scratch! The driver was wearing her seat belt and was crushed like an accordion when the roof became one with her seat. Seat belts do work, but who gets the bill when they don’t? The seat belt is so ineffective that it needs an air bag to make up for It’s short comings. It holds your body in place as your C-1 vertebrae is dislocated as your head snaps forward. It’s cheaper to pay for a death in a lawsuit than a disabling injury. Case in point;
If an air liner is to make a crash landing, they make all the passengers put on their “lap belt” and bend forward, and put their hands behind their head. Huh! This is basically the position I made people take when I arrested them. Anyhoo, if the impact is hard enough, the seats come unlodged, or the person is violently thrown forward, thereby breaking the neck by smashing their heads on the seat in front of them.
The airline just pays out a smaller fee out of court because there is no testimonies from permanently disabled fliers. They’re all dead!
Hey kids, today we’re going to learn how to make fluoride popsicles! Disregard the poison warning on the tube of toothpaste…It’s all good!
Hey Tom…the rally is off for the 5th. We’re going to plan a big one for later in the year when more people are around. Are you in?
This was nothing more than a chance to beat on their chests and act like the give a care as they berated, chastised and tried to humiliate Mr. Toyota. I agree with you Linda on this not being a matter for congress and I personally think that a lot of those sitting there were only there becasue of their campaign contributors (UAW & trial lawyers).
As to the seatbelt debate – I oppose the govt mandating I wear the darn thing. Not wearing one saved my little sister’s life. Wearing seatbelts killed my cousin and her 2 children, ages 9 & 12 (her husband who wasn’t wearing one walked away). To wear or not wear, that should be my decision to make.