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Waxman Dingell fight for chair of Energy and Commerce Committee

Waxman vs. Dingell

ACT I

The story begins with an attempt to move climate change action up the agenda, by means of a challenge by Waxman for the role of Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce Committee, currently held by Dingell.  See yesterday’s FT article (full text below the fold):

Energy policy caught in tussle

This post-election tale illustrates how hard it is to get the change that’s obviously and sorely needed.  The car industry in America is struggling because it has ignored the need to change for the better, and in so doing has sought to defy its own extinction.  The outlook is undeniably bleak for US automakers, as noted in Bloomberg’s latest:

GM Says It May Run Out of Operating Cash This Year (Update4)

A top headline in the New York Times today is:

G.M. Says U.S. Cash Is Its Best Hope

The US auto industry is out-of-date and out of steam and has to be allowed to die … but instead GM is going cap-in-hand to the government for a bailout package.  Oh dear.  Think again.  This would prolong the agony at taxpayers’ expense.  Let bankruptcy happen, while remaining fully aware of the disastrous consequences.   Throw your energies and financing into good prospects for the future; release the past.

Consider the opportunity if, instead of bailing out companies that failed to keep pace with innovation and global market requirements, alternative transport industries could emerge, phoenix-like, after the collapse.  America could then focus on realignment, and set its sights on leading, for example, the electric vehicle market as an integral part of a low carbon economy.  With its huge domestic market, vast distances travelled by road, no significant challenge by high-speed rail, and airlines in disarray, high levels of vehicle ownership, traditions like the Summer Driving Season, leadership in technology and innovation, and the will to produce what customers demand … America really could lead the world building more fuel efficient vehicles using alternative energy sources.  Why not try?

The 82-year-old Congressman Dingell may have a past he is proud of, but his support for Detroit’s dinos does not enable what’s best for our future.  According to yesterday’s Detroit News:

In an interview with WJR Radio’s Frank Beckmann Thursday, Dingell called Waxman an “anti-manufacturing left-wing Democrat” who “doesn’t understand and doesn’t care about industrial manufacturing in the United States, especially the auto industry.”

There is no point in any industry manufacturing products consumers don’t want, especially when alternatives are readily available at reasonable prices.  There is every point in innovative manufacturers developing products to meet customer demand and improve on competitors’ offerings.  Having worked for equipment manufacturers, designing equipment and systems for defence and enterprise markets, I shudder at Dingell’s audacity.

In his web welcome message, Chairman Dingell describes the Committee on Energy and Commerce as “the oldest standing committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, and one of its most important committees.  Throughout its history, the Committee … has written landmark legislation greatly benefiting the American people: …”

If his committee is that important and sets its sights on bringing great benefits to the American people, the Committee needs a rethink on its priorities!

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