Congressional Conflict of Interest
The Congressional hearing into Toyota Motors safety is the epitome of conflict of interest. On the surface, the Congressional panel wants the American public to believe that safety is their overriding concern. Toyota Motors is the number one competitor for the US Government's car manufacturer, General Motors. Congress has a financial interest in GM and therefore an interest in the destruction of a competitors market share. Congress was no where to be seen in the past when Ford and GM had safety concerns. Ford had cars that exploded upon rear end impact and also had roll over problems with the Explorer. GM had trucks with gas tanks that would explode from side impacts. All of these situations resulted in death to the occupants, yet there was no Congressional hearing about them.
Under normal circumstances the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates these type of incidents, makes a report with recommendations and blame is assigned to the party that ultimately caused the accidents. After the cause is identified, litigators step in to sue negligent parties and collect damages.
In the case of Toyota, Congress investigated, assigned blame and is moving to the penalty phase with the speed of an Olympic speed skater with a gold medal within reach. The only difference now is Toyota is a direct competitor of "Government Motors."
Toyota should pay and pay dearly for the loss of life caused by it's defects. The court system is where this belongs. Congress' goal was to hobble a competitor to increase market share. By all indications it worked but Congress has nothing of which to be proud.
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