The Chrysler Fiasco

I have been working on a story called "Is Capitalism Dead?", but I can't print it now, because it's completely out of date now that Ken Tinnerman has broken a story that the majority of the dealers on the Chrysler "cut" list were republican donors. For a copy of the story go here:

http://www.newsmax.com/timmerman/chrysler_republicans/2009/05/27/218757.html

However, it also turns out that 88% of all car dealerships are republican:

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2009/05/news-flash-car-dealers-are-republicans.html

How does this affect your business? Large business corporations frequently give donations to both parties to assist them with their lobbying efforts. Small business owners do not normally have this ability because 1. They don't have the money, and 2. They are usually giving money because they truly believe in the cause.

California is decidedly a Democrat state. The San Diego area (where I'm from) has typically been Republican. I'm sure that this will be a huge topic for the water coolers today, but here is my take on it:

First of all, if most auto dealers are republican, of course there will be a higher percentage of republicans on the "cut list".

Second, this is a huge black eye for whoever has made the decision. The person or persons should have realized that this would get out, and should realize the bad PR that this would have created.

Third, business owners shouldn't have to feel intimidated by their political beliefs. I realize that individual customers can show their displeasure by boycotting, etc, but business owners shouldn't be made to feel that the government itself can take over their business because of money that they gave to one side or another.

I suggest that Chrysler release the criteria that they used to create the "cut list". In today's Twittering world they'd better move on this fast.

What do you think?