Boycott Toyota for Moving to Anti-LBGT Texas!

[Indyfan53]

Jalopnik posted an article with a very important question:

What will happen to Toyota's LGBT employees with the move to Texas?

http://jalopnik.com/should-toyotas-lbgt-employees-be-worried-about-moving-t-1570467112

Now that Toyota is moving their headquarters to Texas, many of their gay and lesbian employees could risk having their marriages and benefits becoming nullified and unrecognized.

Toyota's greed has put people's lives at risk, from their handling of unintended acceleration intheir cars, to the betrayal of their employees.

I have never bought a Toyota, and I never will at this point. I encourage others to stay away from their dealerships if you are in the market for a new or used car.

Bottom line, boycott Toyota.

[Gman]

1. That's a lot of drama

The fact is the gay marriage ban has already been overturned in Texas and is under appeal. It's simply a matter of time before Texas' ban is permanently gone.

[yeoman6987]

4. Impossible.

Only cars I drive and maintain. I doubt that is the reason for the move and rather embarrassed that some believe it. As a gay man, I don't believe it at all. Nobody else should either.

[DesertFlower]

28. well said. we've owned

7 toyotas -- never a problem. in '05 i gave up my '97 corolla because i wanted a sports car. toyota only made a stick shift sports car back then. i bought an '05 mazda miata after a lot of research. they were rated great from the time they came out. i'm still driving it -- only 32,000 miles on it. my husband's '01 tundra had about 136,000 miles when he passed and my friend managed to sell it for me for $8900.

i sold my corolla privately for $4500 and i bet the young lady is still driving it. she had a mechanic check it out first and he said "you're getting a great car". i think i had about 60,000 miles on it.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. It's not all about marriage equality. Texas is one of the 29 States that allows discrimination

against LGBT people in housing and in employment. Some court case about marriage law will not reverse that bigoted expression of Texan culture.
It's funny how few straight people are aware of the actual laws their community imposes on others.

[Gman]

11. It's funny how ignorant some people

That don't live in Texas can be.

[Bluenorthwest]

36. Are you claiming what I said was not true? Because it is true, and denial of that for which you

are responsible is not going to change that. Learn and live.
http://www.friendfactor.org/in-29-states-housing-discrimination-means-your-friends-can-be-evicted-just-for-being-gay/
http://www.upworthy.com/29-states-can-fire-you-for-being-gay-is-your-state-one-of-them

[Recursion]

33. Yeah, it's unfortunate that marriage equality has become the be-all end-all

and non-discrimination gets forgotten. IIRC the much-ballyhooed florist was in a state without gay marriage and with a non-discrimination act...

[AScott]

26. I've never bothered to boycott anything or anyone.

Life's too short.

[Niceguy1]

34. me, too

With all of the constant internet drama its too much to keep up with who we should or shouldn't do business with.

[pipi_k]

81. This should help a little...

I've been keeping a running list for a while. Here's what/whom we are supposed to be boycotting...taken straight from the posts calling for boycotts here on DU:

BP
Hershey
Amazon.com
All Red States (like NC, Florida, etc)
Marriot
Olive Garden
Chick-fil-A
NFL football
Sea World Entertainment
Koch Products
fast food
Disney World
Coca Cola
Abercrombie & Fitch
Cristal
Madea
College sports
Walmart
Regal Cinema
Papa John Pizza
Denny's
Applebee's
Dominos Pizza
Goodwill
Elton John
Salvation Army
Any business owned by a Republican/Conservative

and now...Toyota


I may have missed some.

[LittleBlue]

2. Toyota could easily rectify this

by recognizing their marriage and extending benefits to their spouses.

[Initech]

3. Anti LGBT and anti union. A double whammy if you ask me.

Last edited Sat May 3, 2014, 05:56 PM - Edit history (1)

Fuck Toyota, my next car is going to be a Michigan built Chrysler 200.

[titanicdave]

8. You Will Love It...

I had a 2012 Chrysler 200 convertible and it is a fun and fantastic car......go for it

[Initech]

14. I'm waiting for the 2015 model. It looks really incredible.

They have a real winner here.

The 2015 Camry on the other hand looks worse than the current model.

[RoccoR5955]

62. But Chrysler

Is owned by Mercedes Benz. Aren't they a German company?
And that Chrysler 200 gets lousy mpg. Do you really need something that big?

[Indyfan53]

71. Chrysler is owned by Fiat

And the 200 is actually has decent mileage.

[Initech]

73. Chrysler is owned by Fiat.

And they've done a complete 180 on them. And what I like about Fiat is that they're committed to manufacturing in Michigan and have been expanding product lines to be manufactured in Michigan. The Fiat 500 is one. And New Alfa Romeo models are going to be built at Michigan Chrysler plants. And it gets about 34 MPG.

[rhett o rick]

6. I posted a link to this OP in the Progressive Group

Last edited Sun May 4, 2014, 11:17 AM - Edit history (1)

here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1269938


We are trying to list corporations that should be boycotted.

[Indyfan53]

46. Link doesn't work

[rhett o rick]

47. Fixed, thanks. nm

[Ilsa]

7. Toyota needs to rectify as many of the problems as possible

if they want continued support.
1. Hire lawyers in-house to help couples write Powers of Attorney, wills, healthcare proxies, etc., at least until Texas' legal bigotry is overturned.
2. Off same-sex couples the same benefits they shared in CA.

If Toyota ignores this issue, then let the boycotting begin!

[efhmc]

9. As a Texan, I think this has the potential for good.

The more progressive people we have moving into the state, the better our chances to return to the land of the reasonable. Also, you do know that Houston has a lesbian mayor. All steps, however small can put us on the right path.

[Indyfan53]

19. They better get to the polls!

Wendy Davis is trailing!

[efhmc]

48. Any suggestions? Precinct chair here.

The repugs have billions to spend.

[Indyfan53]

51. They outspent us in 2012 an 2013.

We won both of those years. We just need to outvote them.

[RoccoR5955]

10. So am I supposed to sell my Prius?

And get what other car that gets as good gas mileage?
My 2011 Prius gets around 60 mpg on a good day, 45 on a bad day. If you can find me a car that gets that kind of mileage, with as good reliability, for the same overall cost, I'll gladly take it.
The car I have was actually made, and assembled in Japan. I think that they only make and assemble them there.

[aggiesal]

13. Tesla n/t

[Initech]

16. If only the average driver could afford one!

[aggiesal]

29. I agree, but ...

they are starting to come down in price.
They should be in the $40k range very soon, which is closer to the price
of a fully equipped vehicle.

[Initech]

31. I'm sure the ridiculously high cost of the batteries is why they're so expensive.

But that's the one thing I'm skeptical about with electric cars. The range of the batteries is very limiting and they take a long time to charge. I'm sure as the batteries improve with age they'll get better in terms of range.

[aggiesal]

32. They have models ...

where the battery can last upto at least 300 miles.
Tesla is creating charging stations throughout California, and soon throughout
the US, that will fully charge your battery in 30-45 minutes. And some of those
charging stations are solar powered and free.

[RoccoR5955]

42. There are several problems with the Tesla.

1) Price. Way too high
2) Lack of charging stations. There are no charging stations here in the Hudson Valley. I would have to go from Kingston to either White Plains or Albany to charge the car
3) Requirement of 220v. I only have 110v, unless I plug it into where my water pump is. This would require a very long cord, which would lead to voltage loss, and may not be optimum to charge the vehicle.

[Firebrand Gary]

77. Price is affordable, Model E due out in 2015 at 35K.

By the end of 2015, there will Super Chargers everywhere!
http://www.teslamotors.com/supercharger

When purchasing the Tesla, the car comes with a series of different chargers, see below
http://www.teslamotors.com/charging#/basics

If your 220v is not in your garage, it's probably best that you install one, it's a Tesla my friend!

[Omaha Steve]

15. By request and built in the USA too

http://www.eliomotors.com/

Elio is not a fling. It is not a novelty.

It is the product of a mobile society naturally evolving to a more efficient and practical form of transportation.

Let’s look at the facts and realities of the world we live in:

Gas today is at an all-time high
Space is becoming a smaller and smaller commodity and we’re being crowded off our roads and bumped and dinged out of our parking lots
Cars cost more than the average house did only a few decades ago
Traditional personal transportation isn’t working like it used to. We need a new way of getting around.

That’s when a car enthusiast, a visionary, a man with a dream named Paul Elio got an idea. A simple, brilliant idea. To create a vehicle for today’s generation of drivers that addressed their transportation needs and the world’s new realities.



http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1081467_80-mpg-elio-three-wheeled-car-to-be-built-at-former-gm-truck-plant

80-MPG Elio Three-Wheeled Car To Be Built At Former GM Truck Plant?

[RoccoR5955]

41. I don't think that this will suit my needs

You see, I carry around computers in the Prius all day, so I do not think that this will do.
I also don't think I would like to be in front of the big trucks that everyone around seems to drive in one of these. Not to mention semis.
Oh, and did you see that it is built in a right to work for less state?
Thanks any way.

[Puzzledtraveller]

49. Of course,as it stands now you are not in compliance.

[d_r]

54. I have a ford c-max

Last edited Sun May 4, 2014, 04:05 PM - Edit history (2)

It is much more comfortable and fun to drive.

I get 60 mpg on a good day, 40 on a bad day - but I live in Chattanooga and my daughter's school dropoff is on top of a serious hill. The start and stop up the hill kills my mpg.

I like it so much better than a prius. It makes a prius look like a commodore 64 or atari 2600.

It is was made in Detroit, Michigan my union members who pay taxes.

Also, the cmax has lithium ion batteries, which are more environmentally friendly, smaller and more efficient instead of those older style nickel metal hydride batteries in the prius.

I think the cmax is a much better car than the prius.

[tammywammy]

55. I never heard of the C Max

Nice car. I'm not in the market for a new car, but that work be an option.

[betterdemsonly]

57. The c-max hybrid is a great choice

for those who want an affordable environmentally responsible car, built in a way that respects labor, women and minorities.

The plugin hybrid peaks my interest.

[d_r]

59. I think it is the ultimate

f-u republicans car available right now

[betterdemsonly]

60. Agreed!

n/t

[RoccoR5955]

61. One problem with CMax... Leather.

So it is not vegan. The Prius is vegan.

[d_r]

65. I don't think mine has any leather in it

I mean the seats are cloth. It may have some somewhere.

Tires aren't vegan.

[RoccoR5955]

67. What do you mean?

Tires have animal parts in them? That's news to me!
Well, the only way to get the CMax with the options that I need in it, is with cow hide.

[d_r]

68. yeah, tires have animal fat in them

We have cloth seats. We have a lot of options, like the synch audio and a power liftgate, but we don't have a sunroof. I want to like sunroofs, but my kid is freaked out by them so I never use them anyway. Sorry about the options though. I really do like it.

The SE the only thing leather is the steering wheel cover and shifter cover. I don't know what prius is made of. You can get most options on an SE.

Also, I don't want to be mean, but a lot of stuff in a car isn't vegan - glue, the plastic of the dash, the paint, can contain animal products.

[miyazaki]

12. No thanks.

As to the unintended acceleration, a fraud, still perpetuated. Good job.

[Indyfan53]

20. Toyota will have a $1.2 billion settlement over it.

It's not a fraud if the Goverment is fining them.

[Shivering Jemmy]

80. Sure it is

[pintobean]

17. I always have.

I support auto makers that use union labor.

[Indyfan53]

21. More progressives need to buy UAW-made cars!

I drive a chevy.

Embarrassing how so many of us buy cars that are imported or made by underpaid temp workers here.

[Go Vols]

84. +1

Never owned a non UAW made vehicle.

[socialist cyclist]

18. Frustrating situation!

This is a very frustrating situation for me! I am a gay man who drives a Toyota and the idea of supporting a company that would jeopardize the well being of its gay employees by forcing them to move to Texas ( I lived in west Texas for a while and it was HELL being gay there) really infuriates me.

[Brickbat]

22. They're already on my list. We buy vehicles that are union-made in the USA by U.S. companies.

[awoke_in_2003]

24. I should have scrolled down first...

I said about the same thing in post 23.

[Brickbat]

25. It never hurts to say it again.

[awoke_in_2003]

27. Indeed...

I will be kicking a few back in an hour or so- work for the week is almost over.

[awoke_in_2003]

23. I boycott them anyways...

they are not union built. I grew up in Brook Park, OH. Most of my neighbors either worked at the Ford or the Chevy plant.

[pstokely]

30. they probably expect a lot of people to stay in CA, and they'll just replace them with cheaper labor

same thing Nissan did moving to TN

[Go Vols]

86. NIssan/Datsun US production started in Tenn. in '83

"Nissan's first U.S.-based manufacturing facility has been building quality vehicles and long-lasting careers in Tennessee for more than three decades."

http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/releases/a2fcb7e3-fcc9-4a39-a271-052f1fb761f1?la=1&messages[alert+alert-info]=You+must+accept+the+license+agreement+before+downloading.

[Exposethefrauds]

35. Non-Union Toyota or any other car brand should already be boycotted

That is if one actually cares about workers and the middle class

Unions workers built the middle class in America. We need to show our support to those that helped us all enjoy what we have today.

[Populist_Prole]

56. +1. It should be economic issues driving this, not social ones.

It shouldn't be boycotted for social issues, but for economic ones. Like job poaching and the like.

[betterdemsonly]

58. It should be boycotted for both economic and social reasons.

Last edited Sun May 4, 2014, 03:27 PM - Edit history (1)

It's economic race to the bottom, because the poaching rewards lower wages. The job poaching also rewards the dominionist agenda so this is a race to bottom for gays and women. Most of these moves are from liberal states to states in the South dominated by evangelicals. Furthermore, the workers being moved, in this case are nonunion white collar so the social issues may very well have more resonance. The customers that might want to participate are the same way. Prius is an upper middle class band.

The biggest problem we have in organizing a boycott is that many people take offense but they won't unite with other groups.

[Exposethefrauds]

78. Agree I refuse to support ANY business that does not support my values

People say they want change yet they are unwilling to do anything more then go to the voting booth or bitch on the internet.

Perhaps I am in the minority and see that it as counter productive to do things like say one supports workers yet shop at Wal-Mart, go out of their way to buy non-union products, do business with the RWNJ just to name a few of the of the actions that are totally opposite of what one says they support and believe in.

The middle class is going away because of US not the rich a-hole or RWNJ's because of US, WE are the ones choosing to buy non-union products, WE are the ones choosing to shop at Wal-Mart, We are the ones freely making the choose to destroy the middle class.

No 1%er or Pubs has ever forced me to spend my money at a specific business, it has always been MY choice and I choose to support the workers, the middle class, US.

Who do you choose to support? The people or corporations?

If we want change WE have to make it so!

[Le Taz Hot]

37. I only buy American-made vehicles put together by UNION workers.

If Toyota wants to move to Texas let the Texans support their anti-union shit. It's about time we put our money where our mouths are.

[madville]

38. Are the American companies unionized in Mexico?

Curious since they build so much stuff down there now.

[Le Taz Hot]

39. I think you know the answer to that.

My 1998 Ford F-150 (the last new vehicle I bought) was made here in the U.S. I know because I did my homework BEFORE I bought it. Iow, I put my money where my mouth was.

[d_r]

66. I don't want America

to be Japan's Mexico.

It is a pretty nifty trick when you can get people in another country to make your product and buy your product, and send you the profits.

My American car was made in the USA, but you are right, it is a global economy. There are going to be parts from wherever. I always heard it was better for the USA economy to buy an American car made in Mexico than a Japanese car made in the USA because the profit stayed here instead of going overseas, and the development jobs etc. where in the USA.

But I didn't want to buy a USA car made in another country or a foreign car made in the USA, I have always bought USA cars made in USA.

[yardwork]

40. A more strategic approach would be to encourage Toyota to pressure Texas

Texas can change their laws.

[Indyfan53]

44. Don't hold your breath while the GOP's in charge

Volkswagen allowed for Unionization at their plant in Tennessee, but the GOP there thwarted it.

They only way things will change is if Texas becomes blue again.

[tammywammy]

43. Statement from Toyota

UPDATE: Mike Michels, VP of Communications for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., has sent Gaywheels an official statement about Toyota’s move to Plano and its effect on LGBT employees:

“Toyota has a number of affinity group organizations including one for our LGBT associates. Diversity and inclusion is a priority for Toyota North America. We have assured our LGBT team members and associates who may move to Plano from Kentucky, California, and New York, that eligibility for Toyota partner health and welfare benefits will remain the same.

“All associates will be provided a company-paid trip for associates and one other person to explore Plano and the surrounding communities before they decide to join us on this journey.

“While it is difficult to forecast state political changes, as Gaywheels correctly notes, the majority of the move will take place late 2016 or 2017, and by that time some of the legal changes referenced are likely to have taken place.

“Quality of life was one of many considerations in choosing the site.”

http://gaywheels.com/2014/05/toyota-moves-to-texas-are-its-lgbt-employees-doomed-to-lose-benefits/

[Indyfan53]

45. The only way to make sure They'll be fine to turn Texas Blue

Last edited Sun May 4, 2014, 12:39 PM - Edit history (1)

They better register to vote there and make sure the GOP can't bully them!

They should have also considered the fact that Texas is running $340 billion in debt for giving out corporate tax breaks. If they continue, their credit rating will get degraded, just like Kansas.

[betterdemsonly]

50. Women employees are threatened too!

Last edited Sun May 4, 2014, 12:34 PM - Edit history (1)

They are being asked to move to a state where 77% of all family planning services have been shuttered, and the official History curriculum is written by a man who doesn't believe in Women's suffrage.

If you want to make the boycott bigger and more effective, join in with Women's groups.

[Indyfan53]

52. Thanks for the reminder!

[theHandpuppet]

79. Excellent point!

[flvegan]

53. Boycott Toyota for excessive beige-ness.

Boring, hopeless white goods for the automotive masses.

[Populist_Prole]

63. Yeah really

Seems every third vehicle around my neck of the woods is a beige/champaign colored 4 door Camry or Avalon driven by Mr/Mrs/Ms Vanilla ( the others are monster pickups towing extra-wide landscaper trailers )

Even my father, who drives a Toyota SUV admits it's the most vanilla car he's ever owned.

[Open_n_Shut]

69. Right now its between an F-150 or a Tacoma...

Guess we'll see which product give the most bang for it's buck...

[Indyfan53]

70. F150 with ecoboost!

Better waranty, Union-made, better gas mileage.

[Open_n_Shut]

74. It's justifying that extra 10 - 15k that is the trick...

Last edited Mon May 5, 2014, 07:01 AM - Edit history (1)

The Rick Hendrick dealership has a lifetime warranty that goes above and beyond the toyota one..

Not so much with the Ford...

[Savannahmann]

72. I'd go with the Toyota

All the hysteronics aside, let's be honest. Toyota was not a Union shop in California either. The cars have been made all over the nation for years, with my own mini-van the Sienna built in Indiana, with 70% American made parts, unlike far too many "American" cars. The Tacoma is 70% American made as well. Additionally, I got free lifetime service from the Dealer, which considering it uses synthetic oil is a very big savings.

Also those same BBC folks took a truck to the North Pole, the first time anyone had driven there, and they did it in a Toyota pick up truck.

This is the second Toyota I've owned. The first was totaled in an accident, one in which I walked away uninjured.

But let's talk about Unions for a moment. A question I've asked before. Import cars come in via ports. The ships are guided to the dock by a Port Pilot, who is an American. The tugboats are American, and part of a union. The dockworkers are International Longshoremen, a Union. The Clerks who check the cars in and out of the Port are Union. The cars loaded onto the trains which are diven by Union operators. Many of the truckers are Teamsters, which is another Union. Why is it the only Union I'm supposed to give a shit about is the UAW? Why don't any of those other unions matter one damn bit?

I bought a Toyota, built in Indiana. The Tacoma you're considering was built in Texas, long before the move was announced.

[Open_n_Shut]

75. I will always go with the superior product...

... In both quality and value.

Just a matter of figuring which is better on its own merit.

[betterdemsonly]

82. Toyota's best selling car

is the Prius. If Toyota doesn't want customers that consider the wider implications of the things they drive. It should stop selling environmentally conscious cars.

The original post was on Lesbian and Gay rights not really labor, but labor issues are just as important and yeah Toyota's record isn't very good on those either. They are also rewarding sexism and theocracy, by moving to Texas.

[Savannahmann]

83. Pfui

It is a tax move plain and simple. Costs, the mother of all gorillas on the back of any business. Electricity to power the computers, lights, phones, and elevators cost more in California than it does in Texas. Taxes in California are higher than Texas. A majority of California voters approved Proposition 8, which shows that a majority of Californians are anti GLBT. The refusal of the Attorney General to defend the ballot intuitive which allowed the challengers to win by default, does not wash away the stain of the fact that a majority of Californians voted FOR Prop 8. So pretending that GLBT haven exists in the Golden State is wishful thinking at best, and delusional at worst.

Hate Crimes against GLBT happen in California far more than any other state. http://www.civilrights.org/publications/hatecrimes/lgbt.html

All that is left is the right of GLBT to marry, and let's be honest here for a moment, in the next few years there is bound to be a Supreme Court decision requiring recognition of the GLBT marriages in all states. I'd bet that there are a dozen cases working their way through the Federal Courts right now. Here is one that is almost certainly working it's way through the Federal Courts.

Eventually, and I'd bet withing five to seven years, GLBT marriages will be recognized across the nation. It's not a question of if, but merely when.

So by claiming that the only reason that Toyota moved to Texas is to insult and demean the GLBT community the poster is absolutely unaware of the facts, which would revolve around fees, taxes, and costs.

California's tax rate is the 10th Highest in the nation at 8.84%.

Texas has a business income tax rate of.... 0.0%.

Let's say that Toyota does $100 million dollars in business. In California that would cost them $8.84 Million dollars. So in a decade they would recoup the cost of the move to Texas in tax savings alone. Probably less when you consider the cost of electricity and of course city taxes in California. Toyota probably does a lot more than $100 Million in business every year. And in California, that's gross earnings, not net after deducting their costs.

Obviously I feel little compassion toward California which is despite their laws, obviously hostile toward GLBT, so much so that a majority of the people voted to deny the GLBT community equal rights. I am also realistic enough to see things as they are, a money saving move is a money saving move. Trying to paint it as anything else is ill informed or dishonest. Forgiving the people of California their obvious Homophobia by ignoring their vote for Prop 8 is not in my nature at this time, perhaps later the scar will heal. The only difference between California and Texas regarding GLBT is that the elected officials in California decided to do the right thing. In five or seven years, Texas will be told by Supreme Court decision that the same recognition of GLBT marriage must be done.

[betterdemsonly]

85. This isn't just about gay marriage it is about housing discrimination

Prop 8 happened several years ago and has since been overturned. How are people going fund things such as education, roads, and healthcare, without taxes? Taxes are the price you pay for living in civilization. If Toyota is going to be so short sighted as to not consider the wider implications of paying no taxes, consumers have a perfect right to lower their profit margins by not buying anything from them.

You claim profits should be Toyota's singular and only concern, so why bitch about those of us who want to reduce their profits, for lowering everyones standards, through tax avoidance.

[Savannahmann]

87. So now the reason changes

I showed how the claimed reason was silly, or stupid, depending on your point of view. I showed how we were trying to screw several unions in favor of the UAW. Now, it's corporate responsibility for taxes.

OK, let's go there.

Why schools in California ranked 16th, when tax wise they are 10th?

South Dakota with much lower taxes ranks number one. So what are they doing that California isn't where Schools are concerned?

Profit is the reason all corporations are in business. It's why everyone who has a job, has a job. The employer expects to make money off of your labor, and pays you for the labor. Let's say you are an employer. The way you stay in business, and keep those people working for you, is to turn a profit. Profit is not in an of itself bad, when it's 1,500% more than the workers, then we have an issue, but profit itself is not. Because many companies turn those profits into new products, like the aforementioned Prius. That car cost tens of millions of dollars, perhaps even hundreds of millions of dollars to research and develop. They got that money from... Profit.

The engine in my Toyota Sienna uses synthetic oil. The testing that went into that to make sure that the oil would not damage any seals, a problem with bio-diesel for example, that would require newly designed seals cost a ton of money. Then there was testing to make sure the car would hold up in accidents. That cost a ton of money, which was paid for by that evil profit.

Profit in and of itself is not bad. By cutting costs, Toyota can put that much more into research and development for even more environmentally friendly cars. My Van with it's synthetic oil gets better gas mileage than the one from just a couple years before. Milking a couple more MPG from the gallon of gasoline.

The Toyota Tacoma was designed by the office in California. Those engineers and designers were not fired summarily when they were done, they are still employed, improving upon their design. Those are Americans, doing a job for a company, which the company expects to get something for.

Road and bridges? Pennsylvania is the state with the greatest need for bridge repair. So why aren't we shouting at Toyota to move to Pennsylvania?

You give me a corporate policy that is wrong, and I'll join the boycott. You give me a good reason and I'll be first in line. But this is nothing more than nonsense. Every reason someone pulls out shows that it's a bias against Foreign companies operating in the US, and gaining popularity over the traditional US brands, most of which are made in Mexico, with non union labor. All of this is nonsense, it's a smoke screen.

Toyota took the leap and created the first viable Hybrid auto. A technology that many others have joined in on. They dedicated a ton of money to do so, and deserve the credit. Honda is the first with the Hydrogen Fuel Cell. Honda is a foreign company operating in the US and that includes factories. GM, Ford, and Chrysler are following, when they see they have to, not before.

But we have to protect California, and teach Toyota a lesson. The why is a little vague, but that we have to is the real deal.

You can buy anything you want to. Any car you want to. It is your choice, but don't pretend that you are making that choice for moral reasons that are less substantial than a tissue. And don't pretend that those of us who eschew the so called boycott are less concerned than thou about social issues. Because kids in Texas need good schools as much as kids in California.

[B Calm]

76. I've been boycotting Toyota my entire life.