On the theory that its never too late to have a happy childhood, I started restoring cars a few years ago, something most American males start doing in their teen years. I was working on a late model BMW this weekend when a friend drove up in his 1930 Ford Model 'A', complete with jump seat and vacuum-driven windshield wiper.

The disparity in engineering complexity between the two vehicles is remarkable, made more so by the fact that the Model 'A' was produced in the same year my father was born.

The infrastructure necessary to build a BMW extends to just about every corner of our technological universe. It couldn't be built without semi-conductor fabs, chemical plants, and expertise in hundreds of technologically complex fields. I have to use special coolant (at 25 bucks a gallon) to prevent electrolysis, highly-engineered transmission oil, and make sure that dozens of electronic sensors are working correctly to allow the computer to make automatic adjustments through the engine's entire operating range.

The model 'A' on the other hand, I could build myself--with hand tools. Its so simple that I could take it apart and put it back together again without once glancing at a diagram. The water pump uses leather seals (and leaks accordingly...).

It was quite remarkable to see these two vehicles side by side and realize that the evolution occurred within the span of one normal human life-time, and just as sobering to realize that Obama Democrats are presenting exactly the same solutions to perceived societal problems they were in the year the Ford was manufactured.

Building a bridge back to the 1930s...