(I do realize this is not a GMC vehicle, but I love these cars)

In talking with two of the hosts, Bob & Brandon, of laidoffpodcast.com, Brandon mentioned this story – the fact that the US Government was contemplating levying a fine against Toyota.  Since the U.S. government is the largest stockholder of Toyota’s rival GMC, that would mean that the same people who are potentially levying a fine under the auspices of government, are actually the competition.

Although I am most sure that these people’s hearts are in the right places (those in government), and that they are trying to enforce justice and ensure this kind of event does not happen again, this presents the problems with government intervention in industry.

Government’s heavy hand in any economic activity is questionable, however when the government is a shareholder and a stakeholder, that changes the “playing field” for competitors.  Period.  If our government had some type of fiscal responsibility it may be warranted, but since there is almost no limit to what they are willing and “able” to spend, we are left with a short-term very tough competitor in the competitions of the free-market.

By Tisha Casida