Tom Friedman (New York Times) is, I believe, our best opinion writer by a country mile. He’s also author, most recently, of The World Is Flat. (He’s no knee-jerk liberal; TF strongly supported the war in Iraq, though he’s less keen on the subsequent nation-building bit.) In a June 17 column [subscription required], he suggests, with tongue apparently nowhere near cheek, that to save America, Toyota must buy GM: “Indeed I think the only hope for GM’s auto workers, and maybe even our country, is with Toyota. Because let’s face it, as Toyota goes, so goes America.” Among other things, Friedman points out that while GM has doggedly stuck with gas-guzzling SUVs and Hummers in the face of surging gas prices, Toyota is championing major moves toward fuel efficiency, including a strategic (not cosmetic) push into the likes of hybrids.
Agree or hoot, it makes for provocative reading.