Sign of the Times

GM runs out of gas on 100th anniversary

NOTHING LASTS FOREVER: As manufacturing declines, the US’ most potent symbol of of American industry is running out of steam and suffers from a lack of diversity
The slogan for Chevrolet, General Motors’ flagship brand of cars, once boasted it was “The Heartbeat of America.”

For better or worst, as the US auto giant celebrates its 100th anniversary this month, the company’s health has never seemed more tied to the country’s economic health.

At a time when the US economy is spluttering, the country’s most venerable car brand seems to be running out of gas.

“General Motors is closely related to the old economy, the manufacturing economy that America was largely based for the good part of the last century,” said Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief of automotive Web site Edmunds.com.

As manufacturing declines in the new century, so has GM, that potent symbol of US industry.

Its disturbing to see the results of the choices of those who chose to exact revenge. Its not always an eye for eye and because many people acted on emotion when voting, we are in this mess. Seeing a company like GM or the economy in such a horrible state is frightening. Its like seeing your parent through a new set of eyes. When you realize they are not invincible. They are human and they hurt and lie too. Unemployment is at an all time high and the prices for food are out of control. It will be years before we recover. "But out of every bad comes one better."...my mom.