Reader Emails: Taxes, Car Politics

I'm getting some interesting emails from readers. Up until now Obamaland has had the highest sales tax in the country, but that may be shattered now. Two links from an outraged reader on the proposed New York tax and spend shocker. Tax on life.

More from another reader: They're gonna come after our food next Today's Nic Kristoff column is ridiculous.

Here's the quote that gets me:

"One of industry's objections is that soft drinks aren't the only problem. That's true, and I'd love to see a "Twinkie tax" as well."

The nanny staters keep using over-hyped health or environmental concerns as an excuse to climb inside our kitchen cabinets and tax everything in there. Equating soda pop with cigarettes? Sure, and potato chips equal cocaine.

And another email on the auto bailout:

Most people blame the designers and executives that continued to build large SUV's instead of energy efficient cars for North Americans. But there is more to the story.

The Big 3 have to build SUV’s because they make 3 to 7 times as much profit on them as they do on a small car. The profit is not equal.

So, on the one hand, they are under pressure and regulation through CAFÉ standards to make smaller cars, but on the other hand, they have to pay the union people big bucks AND they have to compete with other companies.

The UAW opposes the almost fully automated assembly plants. This would eliminate too many jobs even though better built and less costly cars could be produced.

The UAW wages are the highest in the world. CNN reported that Ford and GM assembly workers make an average of $73.00 US (full package). Honda and Toyota workers make $48.00 US. Between the UAW and the Big 3 executives, it's no wonder the US auto industry is in dire straights.

This is a video of a new Ford plant in Brazil. One look at this and you will be able to tell why there will probably never be another one built in the USA. or Canada.

It will also point out why more assembly plants will go offshore.

Watch.