George C. Joseph and Other Things
By now, I’m sure you’ve seen the letter from Mr. Joseph talking about how his dealership will be taken away. I don’t know the circumstances and will not claim that I do. What I will say is that I work for a family-owned car dealership as well, one that has about twice the number of employees and around four times the inventory. It’s not an entirely fair comparison since they sell foreign cars, but I’ve done some asking around and it turns out that what allegedly happened to Mr. Joseph couldn’t happen to my dealership, because the owner was a little more savvy with the contracts he signed. I also found this post on Craigslist, which while I definitely don’t agree with everything in it, I still find highly amusing:
Dear Mr. Joseph.
Congratulations on the success you and your family have enjoyed over the last 35 years.
As you know our free market oriented capitalist system is based on a few fundamental principles. Some of these are:
1. Individual risk and reward
2. Personal responsibility
3. Market selection of winners and losers
4. Rule of law and integrity of contractsPart of what makes our system so great, is that it enables hardworking citizens, like yourself to achieve great success, as you have. Another part of what makes our system so great, is that it disciplines, through failure, those who will not adapt to new realities, and those who refuse to prepare themselves for all contingencies that life might throw their way.
I applaud you for accepting the first part of the above, but question why you don’t appreciate the second. Your family risked much over the last 35 years. For a large portion of that time, you succeeded. Now you have failed. Did you write a letter to the editor when you succeeded saying “how in America could I be so successful?” Of course not.
During the time you were succeeding, millions of Americans took large gambles and started small businesses. In many case they lost everything – and had to start over… perhaps even working as a salesman or mechanic in your shop. Did you then question the system which had not treated them as kindly as you? Did you then express your outrage that they did not succeed – as you had? Of course not.
You claim that you will lose everything through “NO FAULT OF OUR OWN”. Is that true?
Why did you not see an upcoming recession? Why did you not save money more prudently – in the event of a downturn? Why did not diversify into other brands? Why did you not demand some guarantee from Chrysler when they demanded you remodel your store?
You had a continuing relationship with Chrysler of your own choice, they did not turn out to be the best partner… That happens, and will continue to happen in our system. Next time, you and/or your offspring will remember a simple lesson: “chose your partners carefully”.
Chrysler failed. That is unfortunate, but due to many structural problems with their business model. Don’t despair! American’s will continue to need cars, and new, smarter, more nimble competitors will fill that need. Perhaps you can start again selling their cars, or working for someone who sells their cars. Yes, you might not be boss anymore, and yes, you might not have the prestige that comes with employing 50 people.
However, none of that is your right, and nobody else owes that to you.
Your only right, is to rise and fall as the forces of fortune and your personal enterprise allow. Nothing more. Our rule of law dictates that under bankruptcy all contracts are renegotiable. Perhaps before starting your next venture you brush up your understanding of our legal system. All contracts are subject to review and summary cancellation by the presiding judge in the event that a counterparty goes into bankruptcy. Bankruptcy was, unfortunately necessary for Chrysler to prune you and other underperforming dealerships because state car dealership laws frequently make it impossible for a car manufacturer to cut dealerships without bankruptcy (I’m quite confident you did not fight these laws.)
My advice: Keep your chin up. Maintain your principles. Believe in hard work. Stop crying like a child who has lost at checkers.
Most sincere regards,
Uncle Sam
I would also love to know if his income decreased any in order to try to avoid firing the 20 people he did. He’s certainly not obligated to do that, but if he didn’t, then he needn’t ask that the government be concerned for their plight, either.
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Nancy Pelosi, I wish you would just once think before you speak. You’d think after the first time you got caught in a lie you’d learn, but for such an intelligent woman, this lesson seems to remain beyond you. You’re making a ridiculous spectacle of yourself, and you need to knock that shit off.
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Prince’s latest website: lotusflow3r.com Go there. He is the ultimate and timeless badass–even if I don’t have $77 to join his fanclub.
I am going to stay away too. I undrestand your point all too well/
What you fail to speak of is the fact that our government is getting WAY too involved in the private sector. Our government has failed at running the country. What makes obama or any other politician in Dc think they can run our country, the banks and a car company or two?? Mr. obama has bit off more than he can chew.
Dan, I didn’t “fail to mention” it. I declined to mention it because it’s not relevant to the point of the post, which was that regardless of government involvement, Mr. Joseph (a) never wailed “why me” when he was doing well and (b) wouldn’t be in the same amount of trouble now if he’d paid a little closer attention to the contracts he signed.
I normally ignore people who argue with points I didn’t make, but I believe this is the first time you’ve commented. Don’t make a habit of it. (Arguing with nonexistent points, I mean. You can comment all you like, and please do.