Motormouth Online

It's my belief that the Federal 55MPH speed limit was one of the worst laws passed during the last 50 years. I acknowledge the twin goals of saving lives and energy are among the most noble reasons for passing new legislation. It is a fact that reducing the maximum speed on our highways would help save many of the 40,000 lives lost in traffic accidents every year. Reducing speed would save consumers thousands of dollars, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and save the planet from additional pollution. So if reducing speed has such great consequences, why would I say that the 55MPH speed limit is a bad law.

This law did more to foster the disregard for the rule of law than any other single act in my memory. An entire generation grew up with the reality that 55 MPH really means 60 or 65 MPH. No other law was regarded with such impunity by so many people. Teenagers learned that even the most responsible and pious adult broke the law. Parents, preachers, professors, and even police officers routinely stretched this law. In fact, to obey this speed limit often put the driver in a position of causing an unsafe condition.

We should have learned this lesson from the failure of the 18^th amendment to the US Constitution. As otherwise honest citizens routinely ignored alcohol prohibition, the very principle of the rule of law was injured. Unenforceable laws concerning prostitution, marijuana and gambling do more to perpetuate lawlessness than encourage good behavior. The result of limiting personal freedom and liberty with laws that cannot and will not be enforced is that we teach disrespect for the rule of law.

While we are addicted to making laws concerning driving behavior, Drivers Education is fading from our public schools. Cars are not competitive in the market unless they can accelerate to twice the legal speed limit in a mere matter of seconds, and fast food drive-ins encourage us to eat and drink while driving.

Currently the discussion is to outlaw driving while talking or texting on a cell phone. We know any distraction is dangerous behavior. Research suggests that usage of a mobile phone impairs driving at a greater degree than driving while intoxicated. Reduction or limiting cell phone use while driving would save lives and prevent injuries. Yet we know that this law will be ignored, just as the 55 MPH speed limit was ignored. Saving lives is a noble goal but preserving respect for law and liberty is an even greater goal.

Let's see if we can't find a solution to driver distraction that doesn't require another unenforceable law.

I can't speak for automobile manufacturers, I have no inside information and to my knowledge the fight for universal health care is not an official position of any American automobile manufacturer.

But it should be.

I too am concerned about the tremendous rate in which government is spending money. Trillion dollars spent on a war combined with billions spent on the financial and auto industry may make health care reform seem too expensive at this time.

However, American business cannot afford to wait. American people cannot afford to wait. It is time for a change. In order for this economy to experience lasting recovery, the burden of providing health insurance must be removed from employers.

Several years ago, the cost of providing health care and legacy costs outstripped the cost of steel in an American automobile. Now well over $2,000 per unit this lug on American automobiles places us at a global disadvantage. American remains the only industrialized country in the world where the employer is responsible for footing the bill of medical coverage for employees. If General Motors, Ford and Chrysler are to compete and survive, this uncompetitive burden must be lifted.

Lately we have seen an unusually harsh hatred of government by otherwise patriotic Americans. A healthy distrust in government may be essential for a free enterprise capitalistic system, but with some, there appears a blindness to the reality that government can and should provide legitimate social services. We do not want a "for profit" police force or military. Most of us see the necessity of free universal public education for all children because we understand that education for all, benefits all of society. Public Parks, public roads, public fire protection are all valued by citizens, as worthy of public funding. In a society where human life is valued and founding documents speak of an unalienable right to life, public health care should not be in question.

As medical technology and pharmaceutical costs increase exponentially, group health plans provided by individual employers must be replaced by the only organization large enough to spread the cost. Without health reform legislation, almost all policyholders will see a radical increase in private insurance rates for 2010. Only government is large enough to take advantage of the "law of large numbers." As a former insurance professional, I learned about the "law of large numbers." Costs are reduced when risk is spread over a large number of people. Underwriting which excludes pre-existing conditions and high-risk individuals may increase profit and performance of a particular health insurance company, but the greater expense is born by society at large.

I am urging immediate passage of health reform legislation.

From Kansas City, we headed North on I-35 to Cameron, MO., hanging a right on Highway 36 we found Chillicothe, MO about 115 miles from my home. Home of the first bakery to offer, "sliced bread," the annual car show may be the best thing since sliced bread for this town. It was an absolutely perfect day for Kerwin Looney and I to attend this annual event. Driving the yet to be released 2010 Ford Taurus, our car attracted almost as much attention as some of the hotrods, muscle cars, classics and customs that populated the tree lined park.

This is Mid-America at its best. Young and old alike appreciate the art that is the automobile. For me it is exciting to hear old men talk about cars of their youth and the journey to restore past treasures. From the original AC cobra with an authentic VIN plate and an experimental four-bold main 289, to the new Dodge Challenger SRT8 Limited Edition destined to be a classic, this show had it all. An original 1959 Dodge Highway Patrol Car and the all-original 1959 Chevrolet Impala gives rapidly aging middle aged men, new hope of what 50 years old can look like.

The automobile industry is in crisis, especially the American automobile manufacturer. However, a stroll through these three hundred cars on display tells me there is a passion for American Iron. The automobile is an extremely passionate experience for many. It is more than just a machine to take us from point A to point B in safety, comfort and somewhat economically. To many the automobile represents freedom. It was the vehicle that first gave us the freedom to travel on our own away from our parents. It was the vehicle that allowed us to be with our first love away from prying eyes and listening ears. Cars allowed us the liberty to go where we wanted, when we wanted. The memories of our first taste of freedom lives in the memories of our first cars. Cars and trucks are where we often made mistakes. Some of these mistakes were life changing and dangerous, but they will always be strong memories.

I'm optimistic about the automobile industry. There will be change, some of it painful. But, this generation will not give up the personal freedom of the automobile. You can see the passion in the thousands of visitors at this car show. Chillicothe Missouri is Middle America, but this feeling is found in every town, hamlet and village. For those of us who love cars, revisiting the cars of our youth will always be the "best thing since sliced bread. "