Dan, I should clarify that I’m not anti-union in any doctrinaire sense — I think historically, unions played an important role in moderating some of the excesses of unfettered capitalism, such as genuinely unsafe conditions, child labor, seven-day work weeks, etc. Even today, I see a valid role for collective bargaining, at least in theory, with regard to wage levels and other fundamental issues.

But the deliberate structuring of work rules intended to make companies less efficient (so they need to pay more to labor) has to stop, as does the practice of paying people to not work (job banks, lifetime jobs, etc.)

And as our friend Iain Murray points out in The Corner:

“Meanwhile, the best way to save the auto industry remains a deregulatory bailout, reducing government-imposed burdens on the industry, and in particular Congress backing off on its destructive CAFE requirements.”

This elevates the argument and makes me wonder if the rank-and-file union members would understand the dilemma they are now facing with this type of education. As a friend of mine always says “you can have part of something or all of nothing.” Words to ponder.

You are right, whether anything comes of this or not it is fascinating. At the very least, conservatives (and tweeple in general) better understand Ford’s position because of the open communication.