We ride the stockmarket as if its ups and downs are in fact a cardiograph tracking our nation's health. The AP just released an article reporting that Ford's profits are up, despite analyst predictions. The article is upbeat in tone, and points out several times that Ford refused a bailout.

The key paragraph, however, comes in the middle (and is Orwelian language at its best): 

"The earnings came despite an $800 million revenue drop. But Ford said it cut costs by $1 billion during the quarter, accomplished through layoffs in North America and Europe, reduced pension and retiree health care costs and improvements in productivity and product development."

So congratulations Ford, your stock price is up! You've managed, unlike the government, to spend less on health care and retirement (and I assume you're doling just as many benefits all the same, right?). 

Right. 

The auto industry in this country is as junked as ever. Unless, that is, we're willing to build sweat shops. I hear there's some nice real estate opening up overlooking Guantanamo Bay.