A Deal with the Devil himself

Today, I read a very interesting, yet disturbing article.  I was amazed at first and then I got a very clear picture of what was going on.  You would have to live under a rock to not be aware of the bailout to America's car industry last year.  Ford was the only American car company to not accept any government bail out money to "save" the company.

Back to the article.  It was published in the Detroit News this morning and read as follows:

General Motors Co. CEO Dan Akerson wants the federal gas tax boosted as much as $1 a gallon to nudge consumers toward more fuel-efficient cars, and he’s confident the government will soon shed its remaining 26 percent stake in the once-bankrupt automaker.

And while he is eager to say goodbye to the government as a part owner of GM, Akerson would like to see it step up to the challenge of setting a higher gas tax, as part of a comprehensive energy policy.
A government-imposed tax hike, Akerson believes, will prompt more people to buy small cars and do more good for the environment than forcing automakers to comply with higher gas-mileage standards.

Honestly, does that make any common sense at all?  An auto executive wants the government to raise the gas tax by as much as $1 per gallon to nudge customers toward more fuel-efficient cars?  Surely Akerson knows that the vast majority of consumers will not be able to afford a new car if the gas tax is boosted by as much as $1.  Take a look around now.  There is a glut of new cars on the car lots, and used cars are commanding top price because they cost less than the new cars.  Surely he understands that his stock bonuses are linked to car sales.  Surely, he understands that this type of gas tax could result in his company teetering on the edge of bankruptcy again.

So why would Akerson say such a stupid thing?  My contention is that he made a deal with the devil.  Behind the closed doors of the GM boardrooms, I believe that a little deal was made last year with Obama himself and it went something like this.

Obama: "You know, we can't just give you billions of dollars with no return on investment, correct?
Akerson: "Yes sir. With your help, we will pull out of this terrible situation and pay you (the government) back within two years with interest".
Obama: "Yeah, that's great Akerson, but I need something more".
Akerson: "Yes sir.  What do you want from GM?"
Obama:  "I want you to come out next year and tell the public that we need a $1 per gallon tax raise to help the environment.  I need you to tell them we need "green" small cars to save the planet."
Akerson: "Yes sir.  I will do and say anything you want.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of this money from the taxpayers of America Thank you great one.  You are our messiah".