Let’s change sexist car czar title

December 11th, 2008 at 12:22pm Georgette Braun

When I hear the now-popularly mainstreamed word “czar,” I still think “Russian emperor.”

And I picture a man.

Those two reasons may be why I’m having trouble appreciating the “car czar” term that’s all the rage on Capitol Hill now.

President Bush will appoint a “car czar” to hand out taxpayer’s $14 billion in emergency loans to U.S. automakers if Congress passes a pending bill.

I’m thinking “car czarina” or “car czarette” might better suit my way of thinking.

After all “czar” connotes “power,” and isn’t it powerful men at the top of the Big Three automakers that have helped get the industry into this mess by making powerful SUVs to their delight?

And doesn’t “czarina” make you think of Thumbelina, in other words, “small,” as in let’s make smaller, more-fuel-efficient cars?

I’ve gone too far out there with that logic, you’re thinking?

OK, then propose better ones.  Or choose from a few below.

Entry Filed under: auto industry, economy