Contract for Green Line Cars

“GM officials refuse to budge on plan to close Van Nuys plant.” Hurray to the group of L.A. leaders for trying to stop the closure of GM’s Van Nuys plant or find a new use for it (railroad commuter cars). But why would GM want to construct rail cars when the deck is stacked against American manufacturers?

I am outraged that another large rail car construction contract has gone overseas, when an American corporation’s bid for the Green Line contract was $5 million cheaper than the winners.

I voted for the gasoline tax increase that is paying for many of L.A.’s rail projects that are under way. My reason was to improve our transportation system and provide jobs. Why can’t we as a nation put our own interests first, and see the benefit of manufacturing something like this in our own country?

Until the group of politicians trying to persuade GM to stay open talk to the group of politicians holding the purse strings of L.A.’s large transportation project, and they in turn talk to the politicians who set trade and industrial policy in this country, our economic woes in this state and country have a long way to go.

DALE G. HALLOCK, Newbury Park