Somehow I doubt GM’s massive recall will attract the same media outrage and governmental response as that generated by Toyota’s similar recall. Why? The first and foremost reason: GM is owned by the federal government and the United Auto Workers union. Can’t apply the same pressure to our friends, can we?

What’s the problem? Only a minor malfunction with the windshield wiper fluid system on a few select cars. And by “minor malfunction” I mean the system has been known to catch fire. And by “few select cars” I mean 1.5 million vehicles currently on the road. Ah, the quality of an American-made vehicle.

This is actually the second major General Motors recall in the past two years. Chrysler, meanwhile, is recalling a few of its own vehicles over another minor malfunction. Once again, by “minor malfunction” I mean the door may catch fire, and by “few of its own vehicles” I mean 570,000.

That’s some American-grade engineering you just can’t find with those Asian-built cars, folks.