No_Fear

That's what we all know now as "Job Creation". :shades:

Appears to me that you have the same mentality as the rest of the world. The U.S. should jump in wherever and save everyone in conflict. I am very sympathetic to the people of Darfur, but where was the rest of the world when this was going on? Are we to blame for not rushing in? Where was our worthless U.N.? We no longer have the resources or the military to defend the world and it's time people like you wake up and realize that.

Norm Coleman filed a lawsuit Tuesday in a Minnesota court to challenge the results of the state's Senate recount -- a move expected to block Al Franken's path to the U.S. Senate, at least temporarily. The state Canvassing Board on Monday gave Franken the victory over Coleman, the incumbent senator, by a 225-vote margin, however, Franken was not seated Tuesday in the U.S. Senate because the certification of the race requires seven days for validation. Coleman told reporters that the Canvassing Board wrongly double-counted some ballots for Franken and accepted 650 absentee ballots that were improperly registered. "As of today, not every valid vote has been counted and some have been counted twice," Coleman said during an afternoon news conference after filing the suit in Ramsey County Court. "Under Minnesota law, there can be no valid election certificate if an election contest is filed." Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called Tuesday for the Coleman to concede, but he responded that "this race will be determined by Minnesota voters -- not by Harry Reid." The Coleman campaign said it is confident that the Republican will emerge the winner once the lawsuit is settles in state court. The lawsuit alleges that the Canvassing Board made mistakes when determining voter intent on challenged ballots, that ineligible voters cast ballots and that some absentee ballots were erroneously opened early, raising chain-of-custody concerns. "Something greater than expediency is at stake here," Coleman said. He added: "Democracy is not a machine. Sometimes it's messy and inconvenient, and reaching the best conclusion is never quick because speed is not the first objective. Fairness is." The Franken campaign responded to Coleman's announcement of a lawsuit by saying, "Desperate times call for desperate measures." "They make a series of unsubstantiated and, frankly, unclear allegations," Franken attorney Marc Elias said, adding that he thinks the lawsuit will not change the current ballot tally. Earlier Tuesday, Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, a Democrat, told FOX News that he has no doubt that the five-person Canvassing Board, which he led, properly counted the ballots and that Minnesotans chose Franken. But he agreed that the matter can only be resolved in the courtroom. On Monday, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid's spokesman said Reid hoped Coleman would accept defeat. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, on the other hand, said he doesn't expect an election certificate to be issued until the litigation is over. "The only people who have pronounced the Minnesota Senate race over are Washington Democrats, and the candidate who is the current custodian of the most votes," McConnell said in a written statement released Tuesday. "The people of Minnesota certainly don't believe this is over."

I own an Edge and have had no problems with the brakes or anything else. I can honestly say I have nothing to complain about. It has been trouble free. I have never had that first problem getting it stopped. It is without a doubt the best Ford vehicle I have ever owned and I would probably buy another one. Perhaps you should consider buying an M1/A1 Abrams tank for your wife. I hear they're safe and offer lots of protection.

I could be wrong, but I don't think Ford has taken any "loan" yet.

Amen!

I've had and Edge for 2 yrs. that I can say has never given me the first bit of trouble....nada....nothing. It is by far one of the nicest vehicles I have ever owned and driven. Am already thinking about getting another one next year. I had a Ford 500 before the Edge and I did have some brake problems early on, but my warranty took care of it. Otherwise, that car was trouble free and rode like a dream.....almost hated trading it in, but I was anxious to try out the new Edge.

I really don't care what they do. Just reporting the news.

Friday, 12 December 2008 09:23 Production at Honda’s North American auto plants will be reduced by an additional 119,000 units but the automaker no plans to lay off any workers. “Economic conditions continue to challenge the automobile industry, impacting all automakers, including Honda,” spokesman Ron Lietzke said today. “We continue to manage our business carefully and strategically to meet the needs of our customers while maintaining stable production and employment. We are confident we will remain strong and prepared when the economy strengthens and customer demand increases.” To meet the reduce production, Honda will use a combination of non-production and reduced production days between now and March 31 at its plants in Ohio, Indiana, Alabama and Canada.

Trouble in Toyland: U.S. recession jolts China Dwindling demand hastens closure of at least 3,600 factories, stirs unrest By Kari Huus and Adrienne Mong msnbc.com and NBC News updated 8:14 a.m. ET, Fri., Dec. 12, 2008 For American parents, bargain prices for toys this holiday season qualify as good news: A Barbie fan who rose before dawn for Wal-Mart’s Black Friday sale could secure the coquettish “Barbie Diamond Castle Princess Liana Doll” for $5 — royally marked down from its regular retail price. At Target, a 10-pack of die-cast Hot Wheels cars also went for just $5, while a radio-controlled helicopter cost a mere $15. The price wars were enough to draw consumers out of their bunkers for their first shopping spree in months. But wrapped up with those cheap toys are ominous economic omens for both sides of the Pacific. The rock-bottom prices show how desperate U.S. retailers are to plump up weak consumer demand — a symptom of the ailing U.S. economy and a serious problem for China, which makes nine of every 10 toys sold in American stores. Declining U.S. orders already have contributed to the closure of at least 3,600 toy factories since the beginning of 2008, according to the Chinese government, leaving hundreds of thousands of Chinese workers suddenly out of work in this sector alone. Some of the shutdowns have triggered violent protests, a situation that could worsen if the Western recession drags on through 2009, as many economists are predicting. “Unemployment in China could deprive a lot of people of their lifeline,” says Hu Xindou, an economics professor at the Beijing Institute of Technology. “So it could trigger social instability or even shake the rule of the Communist party.” Millions of jobs at stake The toy industry has played a major role in China’s economic surge over the past 30 years. Exports account for as much as 40 percent of China’s gross domestic product, and labor-intensive industries making things like toys, shoes and clothing generate millions of jobs for its rapidly growing workforce. But Chinese toy makers began feeling the economic squeeze well before the U.S. recession was made official in late November. U.S. retailers trimmed orders after suffering weak sales in the 2007 holiday season — made worse by recalls of dangerous toys. The volume of Chinese toys passing through eight major U.S. ports was down 5.9 percent in the first nine months of this year, compared to the same period in 2007, according to economic forecaster IHS Global Insight, which tracks the information for the National Federation of Retailers. Toy traffic through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Calif., which typically handle more than half of Santa’s incoming booty, declined 10.2 percent, as measured by tonnage. The draw-down isn’t readily apparent at U.S. shopping malls, where toy shelves appear as packed as ever. And the limited inventories on hand likely won’t become obvious unless a toy emerges as a must-have item — like the Tickle-me-Elmo and Cabbage Patch dolls of past shopping seasons. Slowdown makes tough time tougher Behind the scenes, though, the decreased orders are sending shock waves through the Chinese economy. “A lot of what is happening in China, particularly with respect to toys, is demand driven,” says Erik Autor, international trade counsel for the retailers federation. “Toy (buyers) are ratcheting back orders, reflecting a drop in consumer demand.” Slowing orders have added to other pressures on China’s toy makers. China’s new labor contract law, which imposed stricter conditions and compensation for layoffs of temporary workers, took effect in 2007, increasing costs for manufacturers that rely heavily on migrants on production lines, including toy makers and other labor-intensive manufacturers based mainly in southern Guangdong province. The province has become the core of China’s manufacturing sector based on the flow of cheap and abundant labor temporary workers from the country's poor interior. By some estimates there are 150 million migrant workers in Guangdong alone. Toy makers also were hard hit by the rising price of oil, which surged to more than $140 a barrel in June, and in turn sharply increased the price of plastic. Industry sources say the toy makers saw profits squeezed to the point where many tried to renegotiate contracts with buyers — especially major U.S. players, such as Wal-Mart and Toys "R" Us. When they discovered the buyers wouldn’t budge on the purchase agreements, many simply decided to close their factories. Some locked the gates and vanished in the dead of night, leaving workers to discover they had no job when they arrived in the morning. “Over half (of the factories) that have closed had negotiated a price, then when they couldn’t get the retailer to move (on the price), they wouldn’t make it at a loss and closed down,” said Britt Beemer, a retail strategist and founder of Charleston-based America’s Research Group. Others found ways to cut corners, which is cited as one reason that the problem of Chinese toy safety came to a head last year. Among other things, some Chinese factories started using lead-based paint on their products because it dries faster and thereby speeds production time. “They were either closing their eyes or closing their doors,” said Michael Zakkour, managing director of China BrightStar, a manufacturing and sourcing consultancy. To be sure, some of the factories that were shuttered were small shops that employed only a few dozen workers. And the contraction is to some degree a natural consolidation process in an industry that is overbuilt. But big players have clearly been affected as well. One of the most publicized cases was the abrupt closure of the Smart Union toy company in October in the city of Dongguan, the center of the toy industry. When the factory managers disappeared overnight, leaving 7,000 workers without paychecks or severance, protests erupted, targeting both the government and the publicly traded Hong Kong company. The Dongguan government finally doled out 24 million yuan ($3.5 million) to pay what was owed to the workers and settle the conflict. “All local officials recognize that they are judged on the basis of their ability to control social unrest,” said Nicholas Lardy, a China expert and senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. “It’s in their interest to make sure factories don’t leave town and abscond with back wages.” In November, toy workers rioted after the Hong Kong-based Kaida Manufacturing Co. laid off 600 employees from its factories in Dongguan and tried to avoid paying compensation required by the new contract law. Local media reported that approximately 1,000 police and security guards were called in to disperse the angry crowd, but company offices were ransacked, cars overturned and at least five people were injured before order was restored. Kaida ultimately agreed to renew contracts with senior employees and offered compensation packages to others. Reverse migration The closures have left many migrants with no work, including 23-year-old Wu Yang, who worked at a Taiwanese-owned factory in Dongguan for three years before being laid off four months ago when the operation was shut down. Wu is considering returning to his home in central Henan province, but for now he’s killing time in local bookshops and hoping the situation will turn around. "Maybe I will go home, but it’s boring there,” Wu said. “And I’ll just gamble all my money away." Each day, thousands of other migrants in Guangdong and other coastal provinces board trains and buses for their home villages, leaving earlier than normal for the Chinese New Year, which begins Jan. 26. When and if they will return is anyone’s guess. In the short term, the exodus of unemployed workers eases pressure in Guangdong and other manufacturing centers. Longer term, however, it hurts families living in the poorest parts of China, who receive money from migrant workers. That raises the prospect that the protests and violence in the manufacturing regions could spread to the interior, many China experts say. “It’s a potentially scary scenario,” said Lawrence Delson, who teaches China business courses at New York University. “If many of these migrant workers go home, what happens to the flow of money back to the inland provinces? … There is a deepening division between the haves and the have-nots … raising the specter of social unrest.” Mixed message The Chinese government appears well aware of the threat and has taken action aimed at stimulating its sagging economy. In November, Beijing announced a massive $586 billion stimulus package. Economists and world leaders praised China for putting together the most ambitious rescue package in the world, worth about 3 percent of its GDP. Chinese leaders did not provide many details of the package, but indicated that it would include spending on infrastructure, health and education. The central purpose of the package, they said, was to spur consumption in China rather than rely so heavily on exports for growth. At a G20 meeting later that month, China also agreed with other major economies that in grappling with the crisis, all nations should avoid protectionism. But with pressure mounting to protect jobs in its export sector, Beijing also has instituted policy that is contrary to the spirit of the G20 meeting by increasing tax rebates on thousands of export products — from toys to toasters. The rebates, and an artificially low valuation of China’s currency, essentially give its exports a competitive edge in the world marketplace, threatening to increase trade imbalances that have long caused tension. Even Chinese officials have expressed concern that the rebate policy, which experts say covers at least 50 percent of China’s exports, could spark retaliation from trade partners, including the United States. Some trade experts warn that could spark a trade war, similar to what happened when the United States put in place high protectionist tariffs in 1930, thereby fueling the Great Depression. “At the moment, China is the gold standard on the stimulus,” said Lardy, of the Peterson Institute of International Economics. “But I would give them very low marks for this (tax policy.) They are … basically promoting exports at the expense of the rest of the world.” http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28037960/

Friday, 12 December 2008 09:23 Production at Honda’s North American auto plants will be reduced by an additional 119,000 units but the automaker no plans to lay off any workers. “Economic conditions continue to challenge the automobile industry, impacting all automakers, including Honda,” spokesman Ron Lietzke said today. “We continue to manage our business carefully and strategically to meet the needs of our customers while maintaining stable production and employment. We are confident we will remain strong and prepared when the economy strengthens and customer demand increases.” To meet the reduce production, Honda will use a combination of non-production and reduced production days between now and March 31 at its plants in Ohio, Indiana, Alabama and Canada.

The birth certificate posted online for Pres. Elect. Obama was a "Certification of Live Birth and not his original "Certificate of Live Birth" which is totally different. So, has anyone, besides the health dept. seen his real birth certificate and if so, what does it say? Please read: A. From Hawaii’s official Department of Health, Vital Records webpage: “Amended certificates of birth may be prepared and filed with the Department of Health, as provided by law, for 1) a person born in Hawaii who already has a birth certificate filed with the Department of Health or 2) a person born in a foreign country“ (applies to adopted children). B. A parent may register an in-state birth in lieu of certification by a hospital of birth under HRS 338-5. C. Hawaiian law expressly provides for registration of out-of-state births under HRS 338-17.8. A foreign birth presumably would have been recorded by the American consular of the country of birth, and presumably that would be reflected on the Hawaiian birth certificate. D. Hawaiian law, however, expressly acknowledges that its system is subject to error. See, for example, HRS 338-17. E. Hawaiian law expressly provides for verification in lieu of certified copy of a birth certificate under HRS 338-14.3. F. Even the Hawaii Department of Home Lands does not accept a certified copy of a birth certificate as conclusive evidence for its homestead program. From its web site: “In order to process your application, DHHL utilizes information that is found only on the original Certificate of Live Birth, which is either black or green. This is a more complete record of your birth than the Certification of Live Birth (a computer-generated printout). Submitting the original Certificate of Live Birth will save you time and money since the computer-generated Certification requires additional verification by DHHL.”

You say that the state of Hawaii has already sent an official letter stating his official place of birth is Hawaii. This was what was actually reported by the state of Hawaii: "Health Department Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino said today she and the registrar of vital statistics, Alvin Onaka, have personally verified that the health department holds Obama's original birth certificate." Does it say anywhere in that statement that he was born in Hawaii? I don't think so. It only says they hold his original birth certificate.

Thursday, December 4, 2008 Supreme Court may hear Obama citizenship suit The Supreme Court plans to decide Friday whether to hear a case that could determine whether President-elect Barack Obama ever becomes the nation's full-fledged president. The Supreme Court judges' conference today will consider the lawsuit filed by New Jersey attorney Leo Donofrio. He contends Mr. Obama is not a "natural born citizen," as the U.S. Constitution requires. Mr. Donofrio concedes Mr. Obama was born in Hawaii. He argues, however, that Mr. Obama was a British citizen due to his father's British citizenship. The judges' conference today resulted from more than a dozen lawsuits challenging Mr. Obama's right to be president based on his citizenship at birth. Mr. Donofrio originally sued New Jersey Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells seeking a court order to stop the Nov. 4 presidential election. That was denied. At least four of the Supreme Court's nine judges must approve before the case is heard. It would mark the first time in American history the questionable citizenship of a winning presidential candidate would go before the Supreme Court. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/d...tizenship-suit/

Every time I see Chris Dodd up there chairing this whole charade I want to deck him. After watching this witch hunt today I am just so angry I don't know where to begin.

You are so right and they are not alone!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008 UAW considers reopening contracts Union summons leaders to Detroit as firms give survival plans to Congress today. David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau WASHINGTON -- As Detroit's Big Three are poised to present their business plans to Congress today justifying quick approval of $25 billion in emergency loans, the United Auto Workers has called an emergency meeting in Detroit on Wednesday during which the union could consider reopening its 2007 contracts with the automakers. Union leaders representing workers at General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC plants across the country have been called to Detroit for the session, according to sources familiar with the plan. One local UAW official who has been invited to the meeting expects the union leaders are going to be asked for their support to reopen the 2007 contracts and to agree to concessions that would help make the automakers financially viable. The business plans GM, Ford and Chrysler have prepared for Congress include seeking additional givebacks from the UAW as one way to cut costs, according to sources with knowledge of the plans. A person familiar with one automaker's plan said a variety of topics are being explored. Key issues include reopening the contract, eliminating the controversial jobs bank that still pays workers even when they are laid off, and how much and how quickly the automakers will contribute to a trust fund to be run by the UAW that will take over responsibility for retiree health care beginning in 2010. The health care trust was a key part of the landmark contracts negotiated last year. UAW spokesman Roger Kerson could not be reached for comment late Monday. Harley Shaiken, a labor expert and professor at the University of California, Berkeley, was unaware of Wednesday's meeting but was not surprised it was called. "We truly are in uncharted waters, the stakes are enormous and when you have a situation like that, to lead effectively, you need all the local people aware of the choices and hearing directly from the top leadership what the options are." Wednesday's meeting was first reported by Bloomberg News. UAW President Ron Gettelfinger was criticized for the jobs bank during congressional hearings last month about giving the automakers federal aid. The number of workers in the programs has been greatly reduced under tougher time restrictions in the 2007 contract but the benefit is derided as a relic of a bygone age that erodes the automakers' ability to compete and that they can no longer afford. Gettelfinger recently said Ford has taken 40,000 workers out since 2005 and GM has removed about 47,000. About 3,500 workers are in the programs today, he said. "The jobs bank has become the poster boy of what's gone wrong with the industry," Shaiken said. "The union knows it's the reality they have to deal with. To defend the jobs bank is just not done in the current environment." In addition to seeking more concessions from the union, Detroit's Big Three will pledge to cut executive pay, limit corporate jet travel and take sweeping steps to return to profitability in the plans they will deliver to Congress. The chief executives of GM, Ford and Chrysler will return to Washington later this week to make their second plea for aid before House and Senate committees and could face calls for their ouster after a leading Democrat on Monday called for their resignation in return for federal help. "If I had my way, all three of those guys would be in the unemployment line and I think that ought to be one of the conditions for us doing this," House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., told reporters in South Carolina, according to the Associated Press. As majority whip, Clyburn would be responsible for getting the votes needed to pass a rescue plan for the automakers. South Carolina is home to a BMW plant in Spartanburg, which is set for a $750 million expansion by 2010. Detroit's Big Three have clashed with a growing number of southern lawmakers representing districts where foreign auto companies have factories. On Monday, the Big Three were putting the finishing touches on the plans congressional leaders required last month when they delayed a vote on $25 billion in emergency assistance. GM's board of directors approved its plan late Monday. It will be delivered to Congress after the markets close today and will include sacrifices from executives, hourly workers and debt holders. GM will disclose it has been discussing a proposal with holders of its debt to offer them equity in exchange, a person briefed on the plan said. GM also may announce it is putting up for sale or shuttering Saab, Saturn and Pontiac -- on top of its earlier announced plans to sell its Hummer brand -- and shrinking its dealer network. Ford said Monday it was putting its Volvo unit up for sale and is expected to detail reductions in executive compensation and corporate travel as part of a plan the company's board approved on Monday. It will highlight its small car strategy and shift to more fuel-efficient vehicles. Chrysler had not finalized its plan late Monday, said spokeswoman Shawn Morgan. The companies' revamped business plans are due to Congress the same day they will report November U.S. auto sales, which are expected to be nearly as dismal as October's, when demand plummeted nearly 32 percent. All Big Three members are expected to post sales declines of more than 30 percent, according to Wall Street forecasts. GM is expected to announce more production cuts in North America along with sales. Some analysts said sales were hurt late in the month by the intense criticism the Detroit companies faced at the congressional hearings last month and talk of a possible GM bankruptcy filing, which the company has said isn't planned. In making their second pitch for federal aid, the automakers will try to win over a skeptical Congress with substance and symbolism. On Monday, Ford spokesman Mike Moran said CEO Alan Mulally would drive to Washington in an as yet unidentified Ford vehicle. GM CEO Rick Wagoner also will drive, likely in a Chevrolet Malibu hybrid. Chrysler's Robert Nardelli said earlier he would not return to Washington by corporate plane, but the company hasn't said how he will travel this week. The CEOs flew to Washington on separate corporate jets last month for the first round of hearings and drew stinging criticism from lawmakers, as did the reluctance of Mulally and Wagoner to accept new pay cuts. All three companies' plans will disclose how much cash they have on hand and how much they need in the short term to survive. Chrysler said it had burned through $5 billion in the first nine months of the year, and was down to $6.1 billion as of Sept. 30. GM lost more than $20 billion in the first nine months of the year and burned through $6.9 billion in the third quarter. Ford ran through $7.7 billion in the third quarter. . GM and Chrysler have warned they could run out of cash by early next year. Nardelli said last month Chrysler is in "a very fragile position." Chrysler's plan is expected to reiterate that it is seeking additional alliances with other automakers. GM and Chrysler held merger talks this fall, but dropped them last month. Chrysler also held talks with the Renault SA-Nissan Motor Co. alliance about a possible tie-up. Automakers face a difficult road to win approval for the loans. Even if Congress likes their plans and the hearings go well, it is not certain that both houses of Congress will agree on a plan that can be signed into law by President George W. Bush. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Republicans are still at an impasse over where to get the money to help the companies. Pelosi wants to tap the $700 billion Wall Street rescue package, while Republicans want to drop the fuel efficiency requirements from a $25 billion Energy Department retooling program. "We'll see what they come up with and what the two hearings yield," said Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, on Monday urged Pelosi and Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to move quickly. "The time for Congress to act is now," Voinovich, who co-chairs the Senate Auto Caucus, wrote in a letter Monday to Pelosi and Reid. "We must work swiftly to allow the domestic automotive industry to gain access to emergency assistance. The risk in doing nothing is too great." Voinovich pointed to a study by the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, which estimated "that if even one of the domestic automakers were to fail roughly 2.5 million U.S. jobs could be lost as a result of the cascading impact that such a failure would have on auto parts suppliers and related industries such as dealers." Voinovich and Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, co-wrote a compromise bill that they had hoped would get a vote last month. Levin said Monday he was "confident" the plans the automakers submit will be "responsive to the request of the Congress" and that "the industry will make a compelling case for bridge loans that will allow the companies to return to firm financial footing." http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic.../812020357/1148

The Media has refused to put a human face on this whole situation. They have no idea what effect this is having or will continue to have on the autoworkers themselves, nor what they have already given up. They just keep saying they will need to make concessions! Everyone seems to be "clueless"! It would be nice to see an "autoworker" interviewed instead of congress persons, governors, auto executives, etc. I understand there are to be (2) autoworkers interviewed on the "Huckabee Show" on Fox News tonight. Hopefully, they can enlighten the public. Doesn't seem to be anyone else out there doing anything constructive. That includes the U.A.W. Reps.

I love it when the fellow in the back row raises his hand and what's that lady up front doing......grading papers?

I believe the person stupidly commenting at the end is Barney Frank. Talk about the fox in the henhouse! Just like he and Chris Dodd, in there trying to straighten out the mess they helped create. They should both be behind bars.

Good One!!

Thank you! I was also trying to make some sense of all that.

Maybe that's because the UAW gave Obama a big chunk of change towards his campaign. I don't think they did that for Pres. Bush when he was running for President. Ever heard of you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours?

A Veterans Day Tribute

Please don't think you aren't being heard. You are correct about many things. One of them being that you should not have to give concessions. That seems to be the mindset of those who didn't have to fight and give their all to win the benefits you now have. The older retirees deserve to have more respect than they have been shown here lately. Now it seems some want to throw them "under the bus." Don't ever assume that some of them aren't having a difficult time having to live on a fixed income during this economic crisis. There hasn't been anything written in stone yet as to a loan or bailout and already some are ready to give up so easily what many have fought for years to achieve. I wouldn't be surprised if President Bush does nothing....after all, he wasn't the "chosen one" to be backed by the UAW so he doesn't really owe you guys anything. The new President elect will probably come through with something, as the UAW now "owns" him. Instead of getting on here and talking about giving up concessions, everyone should be on here talking up your product, because Ford does have a great line of cars and trucks. I went to a dealership yesterday to see about ordering a new Edge early next year. I already have one and can honestly say that I love that vehicle. I have had no problems at all with it and am happy to tell anyone who asks just what a great vehicle it is. My son and a nephew are also getting ready to purchase new Ford vehicles, so I know there are people out there buying. There are many people who come to this board to read only. All the negative chatter you people post on here doesn't help your cause. Get on here and do something positive for yourselves. Can't hurt....might help.