Here’s the Google Video of one of Granholm’s TV commercials as part of her bid to remain governor of Michigan.
Let me transcribe it:
On the day of the terrorist attacks, 9/11, when some gas stations tried to gouge their customers, I stopped them. I took them to court, and I made them pay their customers back. As governor I’ve sent new inspectors across the state to end price gouging. While others would protect oil companies, I’ve told the president to cap their outrageous profits. I’ll stand up, and I’ll fight back against anyone who threatens your paycheck, and I’ll put you first.
Do I even need to fisk this? Hell, why not. I’ve got the time and energy.
First, gas prices aren’t as a big of a deal as actually having a job. That’s paramount in Michigan right now. The tech sector seems to be bouncing back quite nicely but a slew of manufacturing jobs have gone away in recent years. I can’t blame Granholm for this as it started well before took office, but as we sit right now Michigan is still hemorrhaging jobs.
Second, nice work evoking 9/11 in your bid for governor.
Third, price “gouging” doesn’t exist unless there’s a monopoly. Anything else is the result of free market forces. If you anticipate a “run” on your goods you raise prices. Not only to maximize profits but to make sure that only those that really need your goods get them. When the price of gas remains at their regular prices during a run those that really need it may not be able to purchase any.
Fourth, she invokes the we’re-not-Bush mantra of the Democratic party to capitalize on Bush’s low approval ratings. I can’t say that’s a bad idea, but it doesn’t really add anything to the platform.
Fifth, she brings up the “outrageous” oil company profits. Last I checked Exxon, the leader in actual profits by dollars, was running around a 9% profit margin. That isn’t outrageous. A quick search on Google leads me to this page on plastics where I find:
Gross profit margins, quarter over quarter, increased a nominal 0.1 percentage points. Margins year-to-date were 0.4 percent short of the 26.4 percent achieved in 2005.
Emphasis mine. Who’s calling for capping the outrageous profit margins of the commodity plastic market?!
I demand answers, damnit! Why do they hate the working class? Big Plastic is to blame, not the market!
Finally, in a state where we want to encourage economic growth do you want a governor that might cap your profits if you make too much money? That doesn’t seem like a business friendly position at all.
Quite frankly this campaign ad does nothing but tell me I should not be voting for her. No rebuttal from another candidate is necessary. It speaks for itself.