TO: William Clay Ford, Jr., Executive Chairman, Ford Motor Company
RE: Leading A Real Discussion About America's Future
Dear Mr. Ford:
I write to you as a citizen concerned about America's future, at a time when so much seems to depend on the fate of the U.S. auto industry.
To clear up any confusion before it begins, I believe that (1) the auto industry is the backbone of American manufacturing and (2) the debate over a 'bailout' for the Big 3 is in fact a conversation about how to rescue our national economy. To anyone who asks: I support the requests for Congress to grant loans and lines of credit to Ford, Chrysler, and GM. And yet, despite my commitment to the U.S. automotive industry, I also believe the Big 3, and Ford in particular, have a far greater responsibility in our national life than manufacturing. They have a responsibility to lead a real discussion about America's future.
Accordingly, in this letter I suggest five (5) steps that would turn Ford into a leader of the ongoing discussion of America's future simply by showing some leadership in an industry summit already planned for June 2009. Here are those steps:
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