The politics of big ol’ ‘Merkin cars

I don’t want to delve into politics too often in this space, but I reserve the right to occasionally dip a toe into the water when I come across something that strikes me as comment-worthy.

Don’t get me wrong; I have strongly-held political opinions that I’m almost always happy to discuss and debate (sometimes politely), but I don’t actively seek opportunities to talk politics or religion or other subjects that provoke people’s most passionate (read: angry) points of view. There’s a time and a place for all that … and I’ve decided, for the most part, that this blog will provide neither.

But I live in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District. I’ll just borrow a paragraph from Wikipedia to explain what that means:

“Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District is currently represented by Republican John Kline (Lakeville), a retired United States Marine Corps Colonel. Kline was considered to be the most conservative member of the Minnesota delegation in the 109^th Congress, scoring 100% conservative by a conservative group^[3] and 3% progressive by a liberal group.^[4] The district is Republican-leaning with a CPVI of R + 3.”

Now keep in mind, being the most conservative member of Minnesota’s delegation makes him even more conservative than certifiably loony Michelle Bachmann (she’s over in the 6th District). The 2nd is seriously, 100 percent conservative. John McCain carried the district by a wide margin in 2008. “Nobama” bumper stickers are all over the place. And a guy in our Rotary Club put a “happy dollar” in the kitty the week Ted Kennedy died.

So with all that as context, here’s my comment. Outside Rotary meetings, businesses and the YMCA, where I work out at least four mornings each week (to no avail on the weight loss front, but that’s a whole ‘nother category), the parking lot is always chock-full of big, American cars. I park my Honda among Fords, Chevys, GMCs, Cadillacs and even the occasional Hummer — all lined up in a big, iron line.

And lately that has made me chuckle. Not just because these good folks are paying exorbitantly to pump $3 a gallon gas into their guzzlers, but because their blind support for “buying ‘Merkin” runs directly counter to some of their most strongly held political values. Buying big ol’ gas-guzzin’ ‘Merkin cars:

1. Props up a failed, non-competitive business model in a free-enterprise system in which the market is supposed to decide winners and losers (they’re the first to criticize the government for “taking over” or “bailing out” businesses, but conveniently look the other way when we’re talking about U.S. car makers).
2. Ensures the continued viability of the United Auto Workers union (a major part of the problem in No. 1), which supports Democratic candidates every time out.
3. Continues our dependence on foreign oil, which keeps us lapping up whatever the Middle East deigns to give us, at whatever prices they want us to pay (I know, I know, conservatives all want to “Drill, baby, drill,” but thinking people can agree that’s a short-term solution).

I, on the other hand, drive an American-made Honda Accord, built by non-union American workers. Sure, they might make a little less than their counterparts at a U.S.-based automaker (I’m not really sure), but the viability of their business is greater (nobody’s bailing out Honda or Toyo … er, any of the other foreign makers), thus the likelihood of  plant closings and major job losses is a lot less. Sure, profits return to the mother ships in Japan (and Germany and South Korea, etc.), but if more Americans have jobs, I’m willing to make that trade off.

The way I see it, my Honda supports the American worker without blowing gaping holes in my political values.

But I could be wrong. Your turn. Tell me where, why and how I’m mistaken — or should I just keep on chuckling?

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