Prairie Fire Journal

Remember back when Republicans were slamming American auto workers and blaming them for problems caused largely by management? Conservatives seldom acknowledge the economic concessions UAW workers made during the 1970s, when another major crisis not of their making arose in the auto industry. While Republicans were deriding American auto workers and the American auto indusrty as a whole, they held up the Asian management style as the model to follow.

Now we have the situation where Japanese automaker Toyota is involved in an ongoing recall and Congressional investigation concerning millions of its vehicles sold in the United States. It started with a sticking gas pedal and has now spread to possible electronic control malfunctions and braking problems on many, if not most, of the company's vehicle models. This could likely rival any automobile recall in American history.

But let one thing be clear, this problem was not caused by Toyota's rank-and-file workers. It was caused by engineers and top management who apparently didn't have their eyes on the ball like they claimed they did. As a result, Toyota assembly lines have been shutdown and sales at American dealerships have practically come to a standstill.

The economic tsunami that all this portends is only too real. Thousands of Toyota workers will likely find themselves in the unemployment line, not to mention the devastating economic impact this will have on dealerships, parts suppliers and communities who depend on those assembly lines for their well being.

This couldn't have happened at a worse time and may likely become the trigger that finally plunges the nation into depression. It looks like the Asian management model has some major issues of its own. Unfortunately, the working class will suffer the most, again, because of management's mistakes.