The Occasional Observer

The AFL-CIO, UAW, AFSCME, SEIU, NEA / AFT, et al. have been dumping bazillions of dollars into our elections for decades.  They have consistently advocated for candidates who are directly responsible for our nation's current fiscal crisis and stagnant economy.  These groups, as far as I'm concerned, are bad for the country.

But bankrolling Dem campaigns is just the beginning of how they operate.  These organizations base their operational effectiveness on intimidation and the subversion of independent thinking.   How else does one describe a picket line?  Will picketing workers respect the conscience of a co-worker who decides to cross the line?  Sort of.  If by respect you mean ongoing harrassment and shooting up her house.

1) The Fusion wins MotorTrend's 2010 car of the year, and they say it has "a sensational lineup of quality powertrains (for which Ford deserves huge applause), smartly tuned chassis, functional and attractive cabins, and outstanding value."

2) Check out U.S. News' ratings of "affordable mid size sedans." They have the Ford Fusion (and the related Merc Milan and hybrids) as the best available vehicles in class, with Chevy Malibu close behind. Both are ahead of Camry, Accord, and Altima.

3) In entry level luxury, Edmunds did a comparison of the totally revamped 2010 Buick LaCrosse and the Lexus ES (which the LaCrosse was apprarently built to compete with). The result? LaCrosse apparently smokes the Lexus in every conceivable way.

4) The LA Times echoes Edmunds findings here, with the article subtitle reading: "GM's first new car since it emerged from bankruptcy is as good as or better than the ES350 in every way..."

5) And don't look now, but the 2011 Buick Regal will be coming out in the next 6 to 8 months, and looks sweet:

I could easily see a Fusion sport, Regal or LaCrosse in my future.

I'm not sure Budweiser has the right anymore to keep calling themselves "The Great American Lager" in their commercials. At best they could say "The Great Lager for Americans", but I found it completely disingenuous during the All-Star game last night when they still used their original tagline, which is no longer valid. Sorry, but you've given up that right.