I agree.
This thread has melted my brain. I can't believe somebody would claim that calling on Allah (s.w.t) is useless and then go on to compare him to a mechanic. I'm at a loss for words . . .
Because he wants to justify his beliefs no matter what. For him now, if you call your friend to help you with your homework is equal to saying "Ya `Ali Madad" or "O `Ali help me". Allah created the human community and told them to work together and help each-other and do acts of kindness to one another, Allah also told us that everything happens by his will and that if everyone decided to help you yet he did not wish it, then you will not be helped, thus to Allah return all affairs and He is in control of the flow of events, He is All hearing, All seeing, All knowing and is more merciful than his creations.
So logically, why call on his creations? When you call, Allah will hear you before `Ali does, and Allah is more merciful rather infinitely merciful than `Ali, so why not call on Allah instead of `Ali?
Another thing is, the Imami bro above said: "How can Allah help." Then I ask: "How can `Ali help"? Fact is, calling on Allah is obligatory, it is a sign of submission to his power, an act of worship for which we are rewarded, it is not a condition that Allah will fulfill all our wishes, otherwise life itself will have no purpose and the entire wisdom of this world is gone.