GM total confidence

As the anger welled up inside me after coughing up $800 in underpaid federal income taxes tonight, I couldn't help but think about those sappy GM total confidence ads that are all over television.

The voice-over tells us that "America needs a comeback". Apparently, America can't stage a comeback unless you (yes, you) don't go out right now and buy a GM. Concerned that you might not be able to afford a new car payment, especially if you lose your job? You shouldn't be, because GM will make your car payment for you if you lose your job. Think that buying a car, which depreciates as soon as you drive it off the lot, might not be the best investment you could make right now? Not to worry, as GM is guaranteeing the trade-in value of your car at NADA clean value. Apparently, GM decided not to publicize the fact that the federal government now backs their warranties as a part of their "total confidence" plan, but they very well could have -- it fits nicely into the whole picture.

Given that the federal government, for all intents and purposes, now controls and financially backs General Motors, I couldn't help but think about how much of my $800 underpayment (not to mention the thousands in withholding I already paid, at 0% interest) will end up in the pockets of idiots who go out and buy a car that they can't afford, lured in by the "total confidence" offered by Government Motors. I probably shouldn't think too much of it, though, since I'm already funding that idiot's mortgage, his idiot kid's college education, and his whole family's health insurance (well, I guess that last one won't take effect until next year). Why shouldn't I fund his car as well? I mean, that's the patriotic thing to do, right? I'd have to be some sort of cold-hearted selfish jackass to dare claim that I deserve the right to buy my own house, car, health care, or education with the money I earned. Right?