When Congress sent an energy bill to President Bush for his signature, it arrived in a Japanese-built Toyota Prius hybrid — a move that rubbed two Michigan Republicans the wrong way.

"It is a huge slap in the face, calculated I believe, just to demonstrate their complete disregard for the domestic auto industry," said Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich.

To Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., it was a "slap in the face of every American auto worker." AP Dec 20

The Toyota Prius is 10 years old this month, hardly a new or controversial concept any more.

Slapping investigated:
I agree with the Michigan Republican lawmakers that auto worker feel slapped, but for different reasons.

Detroit auto workers are the ones who should be building a "Prius" and they are the ones who should be exporting cars to a world that wants our products. They should be enjoying a higher quality of life physically and economically than ten years ago and live in an environment that has gradually increased fuel efficiency and pollution standards to remain competitive globally in the long run.

Moving production to China, India and Mexico have proven over and over to U.S. corporations that they don't need to produce goods here (or market products here) to profit.

The worker spinning the wrench can only control building a quality product the rest of his destiny is left in the hands of his elected government and the forces in business that run a free market economy.

The Prius energy bill delivery was a grim reaper of failed policy. The slap was felt by those who deserve it.