In Volkswagen scandal, punish corporate cheaters: #tellusatoday

In the wake of an emissions cheating scandal, Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn resigned Wednesday. Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

Is this really a surprise? Big corporations are only after the almighty dollar. Just look at General Motors, which our money bailed out a few years ago. GM made cars that some employees knew could kill people, and they got a slap on the wrist.

— Michelle Becan

“Cheating” is too weak of a word. The correct word here should be “felony.”

— David Mackie

That VW would risk such a brazen fraud suggests that VW doubts that it can make a diesel at a reasonable cost that meets emission requirements. Unless VW can fix this technology, it may have to write off most or all of its investment in diesel technology. This loss would increase the losses the company faces for penalties, for remedial action for its customers, and for future sales lost because of damage to the VW brand.

— Michael Waggoner

VW and other automakers may be fined billions of dollars for their recalls and ethical failures, but please clearly understand that all this will in the end be paid for by consumers worldwide. Safety is good, but it comes at great cost to automakers and, in turn, to consumers.

Carmakers can’t stay in business making automobiles for us unless they are making a profit over time.

With heightened oversight and the substantial costs associated in complying with stringent new standards, the cost of making autos will rise substantially, and this will be paid for by consumers in the end.

— Robert Arce

Cleaner air is worth the higher cost to consumers. Or don’t people care how many cancers air pollution causes?

— Clint Murray

This scandal is another example of the need for jail time for executives who knowingly engage in fraud!

If we have minimum sentences for minor drug possession, shouldn’t executives who defraud customers and potentially put them in life-threatening situations go to jail, too?

— Rick Curtis

We asked our followers what they thought about Volkswagen admitting it rigged 11 million vehicles. Comments from Twitter are edited for clarity and grammar:

This scandal is ridiculous. We are supposed to care about our planet, but obviously VW didn’t care at all.

— @klgexafs

It will cost the carmaker a lot of money and customers. Shame on VW because people get sick from more pollution.

— @klm644666126

The CEO resigned. Stepping down is the new way to avoid taking responsibility.

— @MattRPRT

VW has hurt its reputation and the pride of employees who believed they where making a difference in the industry.

— @mysnapperhead

For more discussions, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday.