Our new president should tell the domestic auto industry: “We’ll be helping you out with some federal loans. After all, we don’t want any more unemployed people. But here’s the deal, boys: You will immediately cease production of all passenger, light truck and sport utility vehicles with highway mileage under 30 mpg. Further, as of July 1, 2010, you will halt production of all vehicles with highway mileage under 35, and after July 1, 2011, it rises to 40. These limits apply to each vehicle produced, not to ‘fleet averages.’ In addition, passenger cars and light trucks and vans and SUVs will henceforth not be produced with eight-cylinder engines, only six or four. (After July 1, 2010, only four cylinder engines will be produced.) My staff will be refining regulations governing light truck production, in recognition that some people actually do need light trucks to earn a living. Perhaps we will require certificates of need or some other mechanism. In short, we mean business.”

Events of the last six months have proved how powerful a weapon decreased petroleum consumption is against the weak dollar and a weak foreign policy vis-a-vis Iran, Venezuela, etc. I hate to be harshly dogmatic about it, but as your newly elected leader, with a pretty good mandate, it’s time to get serious about change.”

James Elmore

Bangor