Charles Shiflett Column March 20, 2005

Time To Park The Model T

“You can paint it any color as long as it's black.” Though never proven that he actually said it, this
phrase has been attributed over the years to Henry Ford in regard to his Ford Model T automobile.

The Model T was a marvel of the early twentieth century. One quote that Ford is credited with is, “I will
build a motorcar for the great multitude.” Ford made good on the promise. Between 1908 and 1927,
Ford Motor Company built 15,000,000 of the automobiles.

While he didn't invent the automobile, Ford changed American history by using assembly line
techniques to manufacture them. Cheap, efficient, and affordable, the Model T changed very little
during its nineteen years of production.

Ford had built a car for the masses allowing Americans to give up the horse and buggy, but the
American free market afforded other car producers the opportunity to offer a better product. Even
though Ford had dominated the American car market, by 1927 the Model T's technology and styling
were out of date. Ford finally had to put the Model T to bed and develop new models.

But what if the U.S. government had decided decades ago that the Ford Model T was so important to
the U.S. economy and the American way of life that no other automaker would be allowed to compete
against it? The government would ensure production of the Model T and guarantee access to one for
every American for only a small payroll tax.

For just 6.2% of your income plus a matching 6.2% from your employer you have a car. So envision
when you head off to work tomorrow morning that your car has no radio, no power windows, no locks,
no automatic transmission, no power steering, no air conditioner, no modern safety features… just
hard seats and a rough ride. You get the point.

Now imagine that for years, engineers and industrialists had publicly promoted ways to drastically
improve automobiles. They could make them sleeker, faster, more fuel-efficient and with modern
features and conveniences. President Bush announces his support for replacing the old Model T with
one of these new designs, but Democrats in Congress say no.

For the same price as the old “T”, we could have something better… much better. Of course any
person who wants to keep their Model T could do so. How could anyone in Congress be against that?
Democrat U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy quickly proclaims, “The Model T has provided Americans with
basic transportation for almost a century. We have a contract with the American people and we cannot
break it by replacing the Model T with some dangerous new design.”

Congresswoman from another planet, Democrat Cynthia McKinney, inflames passions by claiming
that minority and elderly drivers would be disenfranchised. New automobiles might have features that
would be too difficult for senior citizens or the uneducated to master. She believes it would be unfair for
younger drivers to have a better automobile. One size should fit all.

The “Annoying Association of Repressive People”, the AARP, joins the attack against replacing the
Model T. Its army of “gray hairs” is unleashed and dominates media coverage. Preacher without a
church, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, soon leads protests across the nation. He and his followers chant,
“With a Model T you are somebody!”

Al Gore proposes setting up a Federal “lockbox” to protect the Model T for future generations. He
claims that replacing the Model T would be a risky scheme.

John Kerry's presidential aspirations receive a setback when it's discovered that he imported a more
modern auto from France that he keeps at one of his ranches. He denies any knowledge of the vehicle
and then later claims it belongs to his wife Teresa. Seems there were some ketchup stains in the
passenger seat.

Hillary Clinton, sensing a political opportunity, proclaims her support for a new strategy. Her plan
involves changing the paint color and giving the same old Model T a catchy new name… The Freedom
Car. She and other Democrats propose increasing the payroll tax to pay for the Bondo and paint.

Like millions of Americans, I would love to permanently park my Social Security Model T for a newer
model… if only Congress would just give me the chance. After all, that 6.2% is MY money and I truly
believe I could do a better job with it than the government… and isn't that what freedom is all about?