It's Time To Tie A Millstone Around The Necks Of Some Car Salesmen
Here is the full story from the
Seattle Times .
A man walks into an auto dealership in Seattle and says he wants to buy a truck. He is behaving erratically and his clothes are stained with feces. He talks of having $70,000 in a plastic bag at his home. It is obvious to all concerned that he is mentally ill. So, what is the reaction of the salesmen? They sell him a $30,000 truck, sticker price, with the most expensive warranty. Later, one keeps his attention while another goes to his apartment to steal all of his cash. After the poor man is committed to a psychiatric ward, another salesman makes a visit and persuades him to sign over ownership of the truck, along with payment of an impoundment fee and a $300 service charge. Does this anger you?
What do you do as a salesman when someone who is obviously mentally ill wants to buy a high cost, high commission item? You have sales skills, and you can easily work the situation to your highest advantage. You have a family to feed. And someone else will likely get the guy's money if you don't. Also, it would be mighty nice to win the monthly sales competition, which includes a nice trip to the Bahamas. Likely, these guys wear ties and have nice smiles and soft voices. Some of them likely coach little league and attend church. And I guess how you would handle this situation would depend upon whether you have an ounce of human dignity.
I've a problem with those who take advantage of the weak and vulnerable. There is a part of me that would like to take these car salesmen and pulverize them with my fists. I do not think I would do it, even if opportunity were to come along, but I would like to. Better would be to serve as the Judge who pronounces sentence upon these six men. First up would be to clean the feces stained apartment of the victim., and second would be service in a mental institution. And these would be performed after the mandatory castrations, of course. And my reaction is yet another example of why society must have a higher standard of treatment for criminals than would the individual.
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" - Matthew 25:40(NIV)
03.29.08 (12:19 am) [
edit]
posted by:
bipolarexpress (
reply)
post date:
03.28.08 (9:47 pm)
Castration is a bit much for this offence don't you think unless it was chemically done (meaning by meds). Make them work graveyards in a group home for the menatly retarded. That would set anyone straight.
I worked in one, done grave yards, and I tell you it is hard work.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.28.08 (9:51 pm)
Reply to: bipolarexpress
Like I say, society must judge with a higher degree of nobility than the individual. This makes me quite angry, and I express my disgust while acknowledging it is not the proper venue for carrying out justice. Yeah, graveyard shift is difficult. I think some time behind bars is warranted.
posted by:
bipolarexpress (
reply)
post date:
03.28.08 (9:55 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Oh I agree about the jail time. I don't care how hungry my child was, I still would not take advantage of another person. There are always ways to "do the right thing". Money or fame does not buy happiness.
posted by:
docsavage (
reply)
post date:
03.28.08 (10:10 pm)
You spend all your life looking for a break like that and then a couple of undeserving latte sipping non-bathing grungey Seattle car salesmen get $70,000 handed to them in a brown paper bag.
posted by:
chrisflea (
reply)
post date:
03.28.08 (10:14 pm)
That is so awful! I can't believe people wold do this! Where is their conscience? In peru on vacation? (I don't know why I said peru)
posted by:
bipolarexpress (
reply)
post date:
03.28.08 (10:50 pm)
Reply to: chrisflea
It's cause of the bread machine. I think i tmailed it to peru ;)
posted by:
chrisflea (
reply)
post date:
03.29.08 (12:16 am)
Reply to: bipolarexpress
Oh good I have been looking for an excuse to go to Peru! :)
posted by:
mimi (
reply)
post date:
03.29.08 (6:26 am)
well, this story certainly reinforces the reputation of "car salesmen", now doesn't it? shame, shame, shame on these "cretins"!!!! what a sad state our world is in!!!!
xoxox
posted by:
OldSchool (
reply)
post date:
03.29.08 (8:33 am)
This is a horrible story indeed, but I have had my share of excellent car salemen over the years. Like in any situation, not fair to paint them all with a broad stroke. These are just terrible, rotten people who happen to sell cars. They would still be terrible, rotten people no matter what their occupation is.
Regardless, it is shameful that these types of events happen in our country. Sad.
posted by:
userfriendly (
reply)
post date:
03.29.08 (9:06 am)
castration sounds like a good punishment.. i think thats why crime rates are so high, because we are against cruel and unusual punishment. when you spoil and baby everyone they tend to act like spoiled babies.. if people had something to fear they would think twice about their actions. "hm, do i ________________ knowing that if i get caught i'll lose my fun stuff, instead of the slap on the wrist i used to get?"
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
03.29.08 (11:40 am)
That's awful! But do you happen to have his contact info so I ca
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
03.29.08 (11:42 am)
That's awful! But do you happen to have his contact info so I can sell him something?
posted by:
docsavage (
reply)
post date:
03.30.08 (5:52 pm)
Um, we're tired of the car salesmen post. Even Doc Savage can't argue in favor of a car salesmen!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.30.08 (6:33 pm)
Reply to: docsavage
Got it! For the last several days I've been dying of hay fever and allergies. As soon as I can breathe a bit and view the screen, I'll be back to blogging.
posted by:
docsavage (
reply)
post date:
03.30.08 (7:32 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Good! I'm having argument withdrawal ;-)
posted by:
docsavage (
reply)
post date:
03.30.08 (7:33 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Your a minister so you're supposed to be concerned with MY needs!
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
03.31.08 (6:22 am)
Wow. I keep trying to think if any of the people I deal with would ever pull that sort of stunt. I come up with a resounding "NO." I think we have a couple of criminals who happened to find themselves selling cars here, as opposed to career car salesman, (admittedly not a group known for sterling ethics), doing a "bad thing." On the other hand, the story just doesn't ring true. Something tells me there's more to it. Sad and sick either way.
