If a dictator (any dictator) can force you to buy a product simply by ordering you to as a condition of your residing within his regime, or order you to belong to a union when you are self employed working out of your home, then the same communist dictator can force you to drive a particular car, use only a certain brand of toothpaste or shop exclusively at the stores of his choice because they are run by his beloved unions. Once a dictator is allowed to control any aspect of your life, there is no limit to what that dictator can do.
Adolf Hitler was indeed the driving force behind the car. In the 1930s, cars cost more than most people earned in a year. When Hitler became the chancellor of Germany in 1933, he promoted the idea of a car affordable enough for the average working person. The Volkswagen, which means "people's car" in German, was essentially a political promise to win the public's goodwill.
Hitler met with automotive designer Ferdinand Porsche in 1933 and charged Porsche with creating the new car. The chancellor required that the Volkswagen carry two adults and three children, go up to 60 miles per hour, get at least 33 miles per gallon, and cost only 1,000 reichsmarks. Hitler may also have named the car the Beetle.
In 1938, Hitler had the KdF Wagen factory built to produce the cars designed by Porsche. But by the time the factory was complete, Hitler had invaded Czechoslovakia and Poland. The factory was dedicated to building military vehicles, and the people's car fell by the wayside during World War II.
After the war, the factory ended up in the British section of occupied Germany. The British military re-opened the factory, named it Volkswagen, and finally gave control of the company to the German government.
If a dictator (any dictator) can force you to buy a product simply by ordering you to as a condition of your residing within his regime, or order you to belong to a union when you are self employed working out of your home, then the same communist dictator can force you to drive a particular car, use only a certain brand of toothpaste or shop exclusively at the stores of his choice because they are run by his beloved unions. Once a dictator is allowed to control any aspect of your life, there is no limit to what that dictator can do.
ReplyDeleteWhere have I seen this before?
ReplyDeleteWasn't the Volkswagen Adolf Hitler's "people's car?"
Adolf Hitler was indeed the driving force behind the car. In the 1930s, cars cost more than most people earned in a year. When Hitler became the chancellor of Germany in 1933, he promoted the idea of a car affordable enough for the average working person. The Volkswagen, which means "people's car" in German, was essentially a political promise to win the public's goodwill.
ReplyDeleteHitler met with automotive designer Ferdinand Porsche in 1933 and charged Porsche with creating the new car. The chancellor required that the Volkswagen carry two adults and three children, go up to 60 miles per hour, get at least 33 miles per gallon, and cost only 1,000 reichsmarks. Hitler may also have named the car the Beetle.
In 1938, Hitler had the KdF Wagen factory built to produce the cars designed by Porsche. But by the time the factory was complete, Hitler had invaded Czechoslovakia and Poland. The factory was dedicated to building military vehicles, and the people's car fell by the wayside during World War II.
After the war, the factory ended up in the British section of occupied Germany. The British military re-opened the factory, named it Volkswagen, and finally gave control of the company to the German government.
I wouldn't want one of these pieces of crap if you gave it to me free.
ReplyDelete