The transformation

In 1941, the United States entered the Second World War.

Major manufacturing cities began sending their wives and daughters to screw rivets and wield sheet metal and the men went off to fight in lands far away. Factories switched from producing refrigerators to bombs and station wagons to tanks.

Why can't we do the same today?

The People of the United States are now the major shareholders of such flailing companies like GM. However, this is yet another spoiled investment. We've been robbed. The auto industry as we know it cannot continue to exist. This, however, doesn't mean the end of the great American factory. Let's revitalize our industrial capitals and once again turn Detroit into a name for quality and hard work.

Why are we spending our money and energy in the car industry? The Japanese, Germans and Ford has got this down solid. We should point our industrial power and research in another sector....public transportation. There is no reason why the factories in Detroit and across the heartland of the US have to close. Only the products should change. We should be producing trams, short and long distance trains, buses an other viable transport options which will better prepare the American public for faster, safer, cheaper and more environmentally sound transport options. Imagine not having the hassle of finding a parking spot or zipping through rush hour traffic in a street tram that shares the road. Hate flying? Take a long distance train instead. High-speed trains have been hugely successful in other parts of the world...why are we behind? Imagine the monthly savings you could pocket by taking a convenient, safe and clean alternative. The price of oil is only going to continue to climb higher and higher, lets not fool ourselves into thinking it will level out.

This is an excellent market opportunity for the United States as communities across the country will be requiring such alternatives. Why should we rely on the French, Germans and Canadians to provide street trams and our high-speed trains? Why can't they be proudly stamped MADE IN AMERICA? The most recent stimulus bill passed set $13 billion dollars over the next five years for a stronger national transportation strategy. I think its not enough but at least its a start.

For years Europeans and Asians have been whipping around their continents on highly developed, safe, secure, clean and friendly trains and street car systems. Why are we still behind?

New Found Confidence

Last Thursday I had to sit in my company car in zero degree (Celsius) weather waiting for the ADAC (Germany's AAA) to come and two me back to Aachen.

I was in the boondocks when my company car died. The clutch (I had noted a problem and told my bosses something needed to be fixed...the problem instead was ignored) died and I wasn't able to move the car a foot. On the phone with my boss he told me I would be financially compensated for the time spent waiting for the ADAC to come tow me. Good.

2.5 hours after my class ended I got home. And all was taken care of. Monday was payday and I was expecting to see some sort of financial bonus in my paycheck....I however, was disappointed. Today I approached my boss about the subject...for the first time discussing financial discrepancies. Now...there are many (we aren't paid anywhere near enough compared to industry standards and our vacation time is also not legally computed) problems when it comes to finances with my firm but normally I don't raise them as long as I get what I expected for that month. I am quite proud of myself for the way I handled the situation. He offered me a number and I told him that it needed to be higher....and he agreed.

I'm proud to see myself standing up for my rights and what I deserve. This is a welcomed changed.