Methane Fuel Cell

Numerous people responded to the recent email titled Save Our System including:

Our auto industry is vital to our national security.

Yes, and foreign owned companies with factories within our territory are part of that security, then if we require that capacity they are under our physical control. Also, decentralizing the auto industry improves our security. The auto industry was originally geographically centralized due to the lack of transportation alternatives about 100 years ago in the USA.

Texas should enocurage the development of its own auto industry of electric cars since those are simpler.

Texas encouraging the development of its own electric auto industry is a good idea. My suggestion is to begin with advancing the development of methane (CH4 - 1 carbon atom bonded to 4 hydrogen atoms) fuel cells. In addition to methane being the primary component of natural gas, which is very abundant in Texas, methane is also a renewable energy resource (land fills, sewer systems, & animal waste processing), and can be obtained from coal gasification which is cleaner than simply burning coal. Furthermore, the infrastructure for methane transportation is already in place so that filling up could be accomplished at home. Other applications of an efficient methane fuel cell would include battery replacement, on-site electric generation at homes / schools / businesses, and reduction or elimination of reliance on the grid which is unreliable, expensive, and inefficient.

in addition to regional banks, credit unions have not required to be bailed out, and they provide the same services as banks to individuals (and some also serve small businesses)

Yes, credit unions are an alternative for individuals and small businesses.

Why mention Ford since it did not accept any bailout money?

Ford is still part of the problem in league with the UAW.

These problems started years ago with a lack of strong Auto Managements.

The auto management did what was reasonable at least from a short-term perspective.

All of the USA auto manufacturing was in the same state with the same union protected by that state, the companies were protected from foreign competition by our National government, and the foreign competitors were destroyed in war. Therefore, accommodating the UAW did not affect their profits for many years.

There was competition, but not on employees, because the UAW was free to shut down any business. Accommodating the UAW kept our auto industry from innovating, the bailout only propagates this, and Ford simply continues to be part of the problem because of its alliance with the UAW.

They gave away the store but don't forget the retired non union members are getting hit with this problem.

Everyone forgets them and those non union retirees were given the same or better retirement health packages.

There is more than enough second guess blame to go to both Unions and Management.:

Yes, this is a big problem for everyone, but the solution is for the USA companies to become competitive. They cannot do this when they are not free to change. The UAW is against change, Ford supports the UAW, and the UAW supports Ford politically.

The only solution to break this cycle is for consumers to vote with their money. This will make a political solution not only acceptable but also necessary.

I appreciate your input. I am open to changing my mind, letting everyone know about that change, and promoting a different approach. Please let me know your thoughts.

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