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Bailout? Detroit Needs a Brain

US auto industry needs to re-learn how to innovate; Mich. lawmakers not immune, either

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 12, 2008 10:28 AM CST

(Newser) – The appalling prospect of a $25 billion bailout for Detroit automakers—“ an industry that became brain dead”—has Thomas Friedman, writing in the New York Times, outraged. He blasts “a very un-innovative business culture, visionless management, and overly generous labor contracts” for the mess, and heaps blame on Michigan’s congressional delegation, for voting “however the Detroit automakers and unions instructed them to vote.”

The Big Three got away with ignoring pesky fuel efficiency standards, environmental concerns, and global competition that might have forced them to adapt. If US taxpayers must help them, fire all their executives. “Call Steve Jobs, who doesn’t need to be bribed to do innovation,” Friedman writes, “and ask him if he’d like to run a car company.”

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Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., is "more responsible for protecting Detroit to death than any single legislator," according to Thomas Friedman. (AP Photo)

Detroit's gas-guzzling SUVs are destined for the scrap heap, and the lawmakers who helped prolong low fuel-economy standards should carry the auto industry's coffin, Friedman writes. (Shutterstock)

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We have to subsidize Detroit so that it will innovate? What business were you people in other than innovation? If we give you another $25 billion, will you also do accounting? - Thomas Friedman

If and when they do have to bury Detroit, I hope that all the current and past representatives and senators from Michigan have to serve as pallbearers. - Thomas Friedman

Somebody ought to call Steve Jobs, who doesn’t need to be bribed to do innovation, and ask him if he’d like to do national service and run a car company for a year.
- Thomas Friedman

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Bailout? Detroit Needs a Brain