Looking at the Bottom Line

After considering each of the arguments made in our minor simulation I believe that most compelling argument came from the American and Foreign Auto Manufacturers in combination. As the president pointed out, the AAM hold quite a bit of political sway. The arguments of the Foreign Auto Manufacturers furthered the points made by the AAM, particularly the reasoning of meeting consumer needs and allowing for better business practices, especially as outlined by free market economics, which the domestic content rules infringe upon. For the president, siding with the AAM will also mean gaining the goodwill of consumers and reaping the benefits of improving relations with foreign companies, by removing tariffs.
In light of the current economic crisis, I thought that the economic contentions brought up by the AAM and the FAM were the strongest and best made arguments. The number one voting issue for this upcoming election will be based in economics, and until Americans can again feel financially stable, this will continue to be their main concern. What any president wants to do is to address the main concerns of his people, while also promoting the health and security of his nation. AAM and FAM, while perhaps not clearly outlining this thought, certainly implied it with their claims that there are actually better environmental regulations outside of the US, and with the AAM stating that with greater production and better business practices on their end, US jobs would not be lost, and America would benefit.
My problem I guess with the Sierra Club and UAW arguments is that they contradict what is currently economic common sense. Their protectionist arguments are very heavily criticized by most economists; most of their supporters are taken in by the emotional appeal and false logic that outsourcing means overall loss of jobs in America. Domestic content rules equal tariffs and trade barriers. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act and other similar legislation is considered to be major causes of the Great Depression, of which we are presently trying to not repeat. The removal of tariffs and trade barriers has generally been accompanied by a large upswing in trade, causing growth in the economy. Economic logic supports the business sense of the AAM and the FAM. Practicality is what America needs to reign right now, which is why the ruthless pragmatism of the AAM and the FAM (both of whom amusingly put up the front of only being concerned with the customer) is necessary as we all start looking at the bottom line.