Carmakers: Think again
Funny. I made a call to AEDC Wednesday looking for the list of Arkansas manufacturers who depend directly, and perhaps entirely, on the existence of U.S. automakers for their jobs and livelihood. The state has a figure on auto industry-related businesses, but not yet those directly tied to the U.S. companies.
John Lyon of Stephens Media was ahead of me on the subject.
It is oh so easy to sneer at the self-made problems of the Big Three. To (erroneously) blame it on the assembly line working stiffs. To say "who cares if they go under?"
We care, is who. The ripple effect would be enormous. And if you think you're just punishing overpaid, layabout, commie union workers by hoping for the demise of GM, Ford and Chrysler, think again. Think of Castino Industries in Walnut Ridge that provides shock parts. Think of the truckers who ship them. Think of the cafes that feed the workers who load the trucks. Etc.
