Feds Launch Another Gas Pedal Investigation

Call me irrational but I have not been convinced that the story of stuck gas pedals on Toyotas, which led to the recall of several million vehicles, is anything more than the result of driver error or ineptitude.

All the blather on the subject has pointed to a Toyota design deficiency of some unspecified nature. The problem is still being investigated. Nevertheless, I remain skeptical despite having the mainstream media putting a full orchestra on the bandwagon.

And part of my disbelief rests with the curious juxtaposition of the government takeover of General Motors and Chrysler with the plummeting of vehicle sales by market mainstay Toyota. How unfortunate it is for Toyota to be investigated by the U.S. government right after the U.S. government entered the automobile business. Arguably suspicious, I'd say.

Adding to the suspicion is now the news that the U.S. government is launching an investigation of Ford Motor Co. As one of the Big Three U.S. auto makers and the one not taken over by the government, it's doubly curious that Ford is now targeted. Ironically, Ford is being accused of the same alleged deficiency painted on Toyota, stuck gas pedals.

Early reporting indicates that National Highway Traffic Safety investigators will be looking at 250,000 Ford Fusions and Mercury Milans after receiving three (3) complaints. Since only three complaints have prompted a government investigation, it's being generously reported that the NHTSA is sensitive to the issue.

I'd suggest that it's rare to see "government" and "sensitive" in the same sentence. I'd also suggest that calling a government agency sensitive is just another example of the mainstream media functioning as a White House lap kitten. Three complaints is not enough to spur an investigation of hundreds of thousands of vehicles. Hell, three complaints are barely enough to warrant labeling a manila folder for collecting complaints. Sheesh!

My views, of course, are simply based on following the money. The government gets into the car business and, all of a sudden, alarming design deficiencies are found in competitors' automobiles. Imagine that.