The People Have Spoken
Filed under: Business BlitzA new poll shows that 61% of Americans oppose a bailout of the auto industry.
What do U think???
Posted: December 3, 2008 at 7:29 pm
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The People Have SpokenFiled under: Business BlitzA new poll shows that 61% of Americans oppose a bailout of the auto industry. What do U think??? Posted: December 3, 2008 at 7:29 pm
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LG IS FROM DETROIT
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IT SADDENS ME
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DADDY TIGHTENING BOLTS ON PONTIAC DOORS PUT FOOD ON OUR TABLE.
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oppose!
LET THE FREE MARKET FUNCTION!!!!!! who cares if they fail? They deserve it. WELCOME TO THE DEPRESSION PART 2.. start saving up non perishable food, bottled water, and blankets. Also, you might want to consider buying a gun, or some sort of blunt object to hit unemployed intruders in. also, if you are lucky enough to keep your job, CHERISH THAT JOB, AND PERFORM TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY!! xo
first
people should realize how important the auto industry is not only to Detroit and Michigan, but to the entire country. follow the Detroit Free Press for great information and stories regarding the Big 3, and an interactive map to see how much of the U.S. is effected. also, the Big 3 is asking for LOANS, not a bailout. there's a difference.
fucktards should have thought about this day 4 years ago when they were still making oversized gas whores that no one would be able to buy and would break down after a fucking year.
Hell to the no…..NO BAILOUT
I'm for it. There are too many other industries and people that are involved. If the automakers go down, so will all the people and the jobs that support them. We can't let that happen.
if they made a car worth driving then they wouldn't be in this position….make an affordable green car that my extremely tall husband can fit into
Toyota doesn't need a bailout. Either does Honda. Americans don't buy American cars because they suck. If American car companies made good cars, America would choose to buy an American car over a foreign one. It took 15 years of destroying the quality and reputation of the American car companies for them to get to this. If we bail them out now, they will continue to make cars that suck. They need a complete overhaul and years of building back their reputation in order for a comeback to happen.
they scare me…… So much $.WTF
FUCK THAT SHIT!!! I don't need a car I have no desire to drive… spend our tax money on public transportation
time for my bailout
I totally oppose this. The CEO's are making millions and let their companies go in the crapper and only just now when they need the money from the government do they say they will sell the private jets, etc. Give me a break. When local businesses are going out of business they don't get a helping hand. I live on a fixed income because I am disabled and the only extra help I get is a renters rebate check, but this year they cut it out of the budget!! No one gets christmas this year. But ford excecutives probably will have a great christmas and their families.
increase your marketability by producing cars that don't suck and maybe you wouldn't need a bailout.
Lets bail out the douche bags on Wall Street but not the hard working Americans on Detroit? Sounds awfully Republican to me…
Something has to be done, but the bailout package has to be done in a way that it secures North American jobs - that if the companies decide to close more plants, they have to pay back the bailout package they're given! You can't just give them free money, they have to make promises and guarantees to the government, and they have to be held accountable if they reneg on their promises.
Re: BunBrida –
AMEN!
Kinda reminds me of when the people spoke and voted YES on PROP GR8
i dont think anyone should have gotten this bailout….
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I get why we had to start in the first place….and it sounded like a good idea…
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But I do not think these auto companies in particualr deserve money from my pocket……fuck them……
I think the bailout is justified even if most laypeople do not agree with it. The auto industry's fall would affect everyone and cause other industries to fall. I understand that it's a slippery slope, but leaders cannot just let the country collapse.
Many companies are now failing not because they are bad companies, but because of the panic mode that everyone's in. There is overall less capital to work with because money in a capitalist economy is generated by consumer confidence. There is just less money to go around now.
i don't. i think it's important to keep as many jobs as possible.
Let them fail! The market is rational; the government is not!
NO, they weren't anxious to work on green car designs, maybe we will get companies that do HELP.
No bail out. These guys are getting paid $65 an hour which is more than some individuals with PHD's make. If the auto dealers declare bankrputcy then they will be able to renegotiate wages with the union.
It's supply and demand…a natural trend that was bound to happen sooner or later. I say too bad so sad. They should've been more prepared for situations as this.
Re: LG! THE ONE AND ONLY – Hey you phoney ass (I'm worried I'm going to say this to the real LG at some point but…) cram it up your ass. I know you may be a boring, ugly, useless sob in the real world but hey, don't take it to heart. You can still be yourself on this blog. Perezhilton.com is an equal opportunities supporter (hell look at the proprietor!) Go on, take that step, be yourself…
what is money going to do? if they can't compete they can't compete. the problem lies in the staff and the freaking HIGH wages they pay under skilled people. they either need to lower wages, get rid of some people, lower prices of cars, or just plain go out of business. the bailout will not help in the long run. it will just save their asses for a couple months…
To everyone else the people of Detroit and Michigan are just numbers on paper. To those of us actually living through this, the situation has been terrible for awhile and only now are people starting to look our way. The auto execs screwed up BIG time, but that's no reason to let those of us who live in the area, with no means of leaving, suffer with it. The money is a loan and if they are willing to hand out billions to wall street, they can lend some to an industry that is integral to the backbone of america! We might just be numbers on a piece of paper to those looking from the outside of the situation, but we are real people suffering from this and few people seem to realize this. The bail out is imperative to the survival of Detroiters and Michiganders during this dark time.
It would be Un-American not to do it. These companies are the foundation of our country..they define America. We need them. No dumb Toyotas or Hondas
the poll DOES NOT MATTER…
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booooooobama and the DEMS OWE the AUTOWORKERS UNION BIG TIME!!!
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THEY WILL GET WHAT THEY ASKED FOR AND MILLIONS MORE!!!!1
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boooooobama and the DEMS HAVE TO PAY UP NOW!!!!!!
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This is not true I bet the figure is more like 90% ….the truth is we are the ones paying for this and it's about time we get what we work for…GIVE THE BAILOUT MONEY TO THE PEOPLE WHO EARNED IT!! Put it into the community…. oh that's right we r not supposed to participate in government or have a voice…we should just shop and work get sick then die
Support! When 3 million jobs and the factory warranty on many an American vehicles are at stake is a better investment to spend money helping dying business float and see them fruit later than feel an everlasting hole in more angles than financial.
Philosophically I oppose it. Realistically I think it's necessary. 10% of the entire country's workforce revolves around The Big 3. They need to renegotiate UAW contracts and get rid of their welfare state that they're currently running. I'd also prefer the government give them a loan as opposed to a bailout with no strings…once that money runs out, they'll be back in front Congress with their hands out again.
As a native of Detroit, this bailout is necessary! MILLIONS of jobs will be lost if the "big three" go down in flames. The LOAN we are asking for is nothing in comparison to what AIG and many other companies have been given and have burned through in record time! Give Detroit a chance! If you don't recall, we gave Washington help!
Re: stacy16 – They have all taken a $1 salary.
Re: schultzstr – Where in the hell are you getting the idea that the auto workers are getting higher wages than they deserve? FALSE. They get minimum wage!!!
oppose! they have nothing to do with the goverment. let them die, be bankrupt.
No bail out for them! No bail out for them!
Since when is the people's responsibility to BAIL OUT a failing business plan. These companies have been building the wrong kind of cars for the wrong kind of people. The auto industry needs to fail and burn in its fire so that they can then by innovation and improved business plans come out from the ashes.
I do have to say that if these companies go down A LOT of innocent Americans will loose their jobs and endure hardship, but from the fail of these industry bullies there will be space for others up-and-coming companies to grow and create competition!
You know sometimes you do have to fall in order to learn YOUR LESSON!!!
I think that at least 12% of Americans are retarded. As this is at least the number of people that voted for Obama and truly did not know what they were voting for.
Obama likes bail outs… just sayin'.
Hey, if you have a pocket with a hole in it, you don't continue to put money in it, do you?
no bailout! american cars suck…foreign cars are a millionnn times better…haha i live in detroit but they seriously need to make better cars to keep up with the competition
WELL JUST FOR THOSE WHO THINK WE SHOULDN'T
WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE?
WHERE DO YOU THINK THE MAJORITY OF YOUR MONEY FROM THAT CAR GOES TO? IT GOES BACK TO THE COUNTRY WHERE IT IS FROM…
TOYOTA.HONDA.MERCEDES.BMW ALL GO BACK TO THEIR COUNTRIES….
JUST TO MAKE YOU THINK
WHEN 9-11 HAPPENED THE BIG THREE COLLECTIVELY
FORD.GENERAL MOTORS.AND CHRYSLER GAVE 30 MILLION DOLLARS TO AID RELIEFS….
HOW MUCH DID OUR FRIENDS FROM ACROSS THE POND GIVE….
WELL TOYOTA GAVE A WHOPPING ZERO. DOLLARS..
HONDA GAVE ZERO
BMW ZERO
ETC…..
SO WHILE WE ARE SO QUICK TO BUY CARS FROM OTHERS THEY ARE NOT SO QUICK TO HELP A COUNTRY OUT IN A TIME OF NEED….
AMERICANS NEED TO SUPPORT THE CARS SHE MAKES…
YOU MAY NOT THINK YOU ARE EFFECTED….BUT ONE OUT OF EVERY 10 HOUSEHOLDS ARE EFFECTED…
ACCOUNTANTS CANT BALANCE DEALERS BOOKS
DRIVERS CAN DRIVE PARTS
SALESPERSONEL CAN'T SELL CARS IF THE BIG 3 CAN'T BUILD THEM
ITS NOT JUST THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR THE BIG 3 IT WILL BE A LOT OF OUR NEIGHBORS.OUR FRIENDS.OUR MOMS.OUR DADS. TRUST ME…ONE OUT OF EVERY 10 HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE EFFECTED…..
OUR NEW LEADER EVEN DRIVES A FORD…HE KNOWS WHATS UP….
According to you the peoples voice doesn't matter. PROP 8 passed in CALIFORNIA and now they (perez) are trying to overturn it and sued the state.
HYPOCRITICAL?
I THINK SO
I 100% OPPOSE! ENOUGH SAID.
The auto industry should NOT be bailed out! They are for-profit! They have had one hundred years to turn a profit, and they've made generations of a select few people incredibly, unfathomably rich. Now they have the audacity to come begging? They should have been producing electric & hybrid vehicle since the 1970's!!! They are going down and badly and draggin a hell of a lot with it. Had these companies the foresight to produce what the market wants, (which is hybrids & electrics & researching those technologies instead of clinging desperately to a dinosaur technology - the combustion engine) they wouldn't be filing for backruptcy and ruining thousands if not millions of people's lives. It's been all about greed for SO long, it'll probably take at least another generation to get back on track, after we're all dead on gone, maybe our grandchildren will live in the clean, wind turbine energy producing mandatory recycling, electric car, no nuclear future.
It sure won't be us though.
Yet somehow, Pelosi and crew think it'll pass. What does that tell you? It may have been President Bush who gave the dem congress the original bailout plan they asked for, but it was THEM that kept pushing. Once you start, you cannot stop.
Congress does not know what we want, yet they keep voting for whatever they want. WAKE THE FUCK UP PEOPLE AND KICK OUT THE ENTIRE CONGRESS IN 2010. Right or Left, let's get out all the incumbents we can and start over. As Benjamin Franklin said, we should turn over the congress every ten years. What does any 80 year old politician know about what you want?
It doesn't matter what Americans think, the Congress will pass it anyway. We do not have a representative government any longer, and that's proved by the illegal passing of the first bailout (Constitutionally, a bill must be passed by Representatives before the Senate; the opposite occurred, and no one said anything).
Anyway, our country is founded on A FREE MARKET– Laissez-Faire– which means that the government IS NOT SUPPOSED TO MEDDLE IN BUSINESS. Ever since the Depression, government has socialized aspects of business, and that has caused long-term, dangerous effects to our financial system. Not only do we print way more money than we have, but the Federal Reserve has the power to do WHATEVER it wants with our money–without justification or explanation– is this our Democratic nation?
We CANNOT afford another bailout. Where are we supposed to get the money? China? AMERICA is going BANKRUPT– start realizing it, and lose the idea that government can take care of everything.
I think they should have made better cars that don't eat up gas esp. for the environment. But, breakdown of auto industries would mean alot of money gone and alot of jobs lost, which means an even worse economy.
Is it America's fault that they fuzzed up their finances???? Didn't think so. I'm in debt, will they bail me out too!!?!?!?! All these companies need to stop putting their hands out!
Re: sonny – So True!! I bought an 06 G6(in 06)……and I've been standing by GM tried and true, but my car is a hunk of shit. The heat stopped working, my trunk release functions when it wants to, and the sob'n engine light is on! My boyfriend has an 04 Mitsubishi that has not given him ANY problems!!! I should have opted for a foreign!!
I wouldn't spend my money on an American car. There is no comparison to the quality. Why bail out companies that don't make a quality product. It's so unfair to other hardworking Americans that do make a quality product. The gov't is better off spending our money retraining the workers for other jobs such as Obama's plan to rebuild the infrastructure of America.
No way! let the oil companies bail them out! they make billions in profit!
without the car companies, there wouldn't be much need for oil.
What people don't understand is that if companies like Ford or GE go out of business, it would be horrible for our country and our economy. GE is one of the largest companies in the world, the thousands of jobs that would be lost as a result of the company folding, would increase our unemployment rate, increase the number of people on government assistance, increase foreclosure rates which in turn would decrease property values…and the list goes on and on. Not to mention all of the vendors and other companies that support this industry that would also suffer and lose jobs (advertising firms, accounting firms, steel producers, engineers, etc.) Its all connected. If they lose, we ALL lose!
If GM, Ford, or Chrysler didn't want to go out of business, maybe they should have made better cars that sold well worldwide. American cars are a joke, have been for many years, and it's ludicrous for the taxpayers to support this doomed business.
Let's remember that business fail for a reason. When a major industry fails, that leaves room in the market for new, better industries to develop. America refuses to let go of it's failing big companies, and it's bankrupting our nation.
should re protest this too??????
stomp our feet, and cry ….maybe the mormons voted on this too???
This is a mouthful and I apologize for that but I had to say this.
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First of all, I LOVE MY AMERICAN CAR! My Jeep Compass has pretty good gas mileage and never given me a problem. For all of those who say American cars suck, I completely disagree. It is impossible to overgeneralize like that. It's like saying all condiments suck. You're going to find one you like sooner or later.
Secondly, some of you say that "it's not the government's fault and it's not mine, so why should we have to pay?" One of the problems is that Toyota and Honda do not pay American taxes and there is the free trade thing. So, when someone buys a foreign car, that money goes away from the country and is never seen again. When someone buys American, that American auto company will pay taxes each year just like everybody else. When they cannot pay their taxes, university tuition rises, which in turn causes people to not further their education. If people do not further their education, we cannot compete with foreign countries causing a cycle.
Also, some of you said that you would rather see money go into public transportation. Guess what! Auto companies make the means of the public transportation. They are also paying the taxes to do so, when they are doing well of course.
For those of you who say they do not have anything that is environmentally friendly, check out the Chevy Volt, which is due to come out in 2010. The Volt is said to be better than any of those Toyotas and Hondas.
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I know the whole country is in tough times and that is why we have to stick together. America is supposed to be united and the midwest needs your support right now to help the country as a whole. We have to fix all the problems so we can better our educational system to help our children. We cannot leave them in the shambles we are currently in.
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Wow. That was more than i planned on saying but I just want people who don't live in and around Michigan to understand.
go out of business like everyone else
i believe that without all the bailouts we could use the money for better uses
Some of you people are truly sad. So many people will lose their jobs (people who don't have a say in what kind of cars they help make). Think about what you say before you say it, and think about how you would feel if you and your families were the ones losing their jobs: Think about the workers!!!!!
WELL JUST FOR THOSE WHO THINK WE SHOULDN'T
WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE?
WHERE DO YOU THINK THE MAJORITY OF YOUR MONEY FROM THAT CAR GOES TO? IT GOES BACK TO THE COUNTRY WHERE IT IS FROM…Re: JUSTTHINK4real –
Oh yeah because the consumer should have to pay more for an inferior product just because it's "Made in the USA"? I own an F-150 currently but have owned a Honda Civic and face it the Japanese make some of the best cars. Fuck the Big 3 they need to sleep with the fishes or file for Chapter 11 and reoraganize just like the airline industry did.
Re: L* – It's not just the auto industry that is failing. Here(where I live[Milwaukee,WI]), there are people getting permanent layoffs everyday. Harley Davidson, Tyson Chicken, even an envelope company. It's not that I don't feel sorry for everyone whose job may be lost, but they are not the only ones who are losing jobs! I believe that the auto maker CEO's have bit off more than they can chew, and now they are facing the consequences. I'm sure if they stopped leasing, lowered prices and sold some of their private jets, they would be able to bail themselves out!!
Yet somehow, Pelosi and crew think it'll pass. What does that tell you? It may have been President Bush who gave the dem congress the original bailout plan they asked for, but it was THEM that kept pushing. Once you start, you cannot stop.
Re: Bdub –
Now the over budget states are lining up and Uncle Barack wants to reward them for their overzealous spending. What about the 6 states that managed to stay on budget? Where and when is this shit going to stop. We are BROKE!
It doesn't matter what Americans think, the Congress will pass it anyway. We do not have a representative government any longer, and that's proved by the illegal passing of the first bailout (Constitutionally, a bill must be passed by Representatives before the Senate; the opposite occurred, and no one said anything).
Re: ktheg8 –
That's because dumbed down americans have no idea how their government even works. They are too busy watching TV. I know I'm too busy WORKING, but I still take the time to learn about how my government is ideally supposed to operate.
Aren't most cars made with jap parts now anyways? We used to have mopar/chrysler here about 20 years ago, and they closed up shop to go overseas. If I'm not mistaken, I think Chrysler is jap manufactured.
Anyway, our country is founded on A FREE MARKET– Laissez-Faire– which means that the government IS NOT SUPPOSED TO MEDDLE IN BUSINESS. Ever since the Depression, government has socialized aspects of business, and that has caused long-term, dangerous effects to our financial system. Not only do we print way more money than we have, but the Federal Reserve has the power to do WHATEVER it wants with our money–without justification or explanation– is this our Democratic nation?
Re: ktheg8 –
You're one of the most informed people I've seen on here in ages. When are the American people going to say enough to this already? Government intervention is why we keep experiencing bubbles. The S&L bubble, Tech bubble, housing bubble, etc…
AMERICA is going BANKRUPT– start realizing it, and lose the idea that government can take care of everything.
Re: ktheg8 –
Going bankrupt? We are bankrupt but the government keeps spending and they'll just keep cooking the books to hide our bankruptcy. Think about it:
1. 62% of the GDP just to fund Social Insecurity
2. 78 billion Baby Boomers set to retire & collect SS benefits
3. Medicare/medicaid underfunded by $36 trillion
4. Now BO and the dems have promised National Healthcare(but gov't can't afford it's current committments)
5. Trillions(up tp 8.5 trillion of future generation's taxes promised)spent on bailouts
Why waste the money?? Honestly is the US auto makers could make cars that weren't total pieces of shit then I wouldn't be buying JAPANESE cars and they'd be making the money instead of Japan. I buy what doesn't break down every other minute!! Plus I don't appreciate bullshit American companies that don't HONOR their warranties either when their crap breaks down. They wait until the warranty runs out before they suddenly "find" what's wrong with your car. Until then, they pretend they find nothing wrong with it and keep jerking your around.
Im from Michigan and im tired of people calling this a Bailout bailout means they dont have to pay it back, GM ,Ford & Chrystler are asking for a loan.
edjucate yoursleves and understand if the auto companies fail Michigan will be worse then a third world country 95 % our jobs are auto related and its not just in michigan that means all the auto jobs across America will be over with.
61% of Americans are feckless, mouth-breathing dolts.
Im from Michigan and im tired of people calling this a Bailout bailout means they dont have to pay it back, GM ,Ford & Chrystler are asking for a loan.
edjucate yoursleves and understand if the auto companies fail Michigan will be worse then a third world country 95 % our jobs are auto related and its not just in michigan that means all the auto jobs across America will be over with.
Re: shelly2009 –
Blah blah more scaremongering…I guess the taxpayers are going to have to keep bailing the big 3 out every few years then. They can file for Chapter 11 like so many other companies have and if they can't come back from Chapter 11 then they don't deserve to come back. I'm so sick of the corruption in Detroit and Michigan, in general. Your state needs to get it's head out of it's collective ass. Fuck the UAW, too! The UAW killed the goose that laid the golden egg with all their unrealistic and greedy demands.
We paid taxes too so its not just your money we are trying to save millions of hard working people from losing are means to live. its sad most of the people dont know how bad it is here in michigan. come here and live for a week and see for yourself check out the jobs here oh i forgot most of the places are auto related not just GM or ford assembly plants its the suppliers and the companies that make the parts that go into the vehicles. if the big three go under every person i know in my family and friends will have no job what so ever. and god forbid trying to get another one because in michigan there are no jobs its so bad there are 1000 applactions in front of yours at mcdonalds. so it has nothing to do with me thinking oh because the executives screwed up let them pay. i dont car about the executives I care about myself my family my friends who will lose everything. the rest of america looks down on detroit and makes me sick glad you all are just fine watching millions of americans and there children fight to survive while all you care about is saying all they want it for is corprate Greed. i think of it as saving people fellow americans from being homeless becuse they are losing there only source of income the damn unemplyment rate is 10% here give us a damn break geez
I oppose it. They'll continue paying people to make more cars people aren't buying. Their cars sucks.
It’s a tough call…I think people are tired of “bailouts”, we bailed out Wall Street and I have yet to see the benefits of that. People are also tired of seeing rich CEOs who made reckless decisions begging the government for money (cough…cough the three auto ceos who flew to DC in separate, private jets). It is unfortunate because I think that it is important to keep the American auto industry alive. It is good for the economy when Americans buy American cars and the auto industry employs millions of hardworking people…hardworking people who have nothing to do with the downfall of the car industry, they just build the cars not make the decisions. So honestly I don’t know how I feel about it, I just know that the CEOs of Ford,GM and Chrysler has yet to present a clear and detailed plan as to why they need the money and how they would use it.
I love how this country is willing to bail out the big boys on wall street, people who would have millions of dollars to play with even if they didn't get bailed out. But god forbid we bail out the auto industry- which is populated with average middle class american workers, who will fail to make ends meet if they lose their jobs. And ppl always wonder why the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
I thought they were asking for loans? A bailout is totally different. So now I'm confused.
I think it's obvious the auto industry is poorly run from the business point of view and thus free market rules dictate it must fail.
The problem is however that these 3 crashing will have a large effect on everybody, more than most of you imagine. That's the part I'm really iffy about. I'm going to have to vote "present" on this and let the economists sort it out.
Free Market! The buyout should not happen.
yea lets bail out the auto companies so they can rape us even more on prices…
I think that, whole country is in tough times and that is why we have to stick together. America is supposed to be united and the Midwest needs your support right now to help the country as a whole.
Wanna share your thoughts, ideas, or opinions like this? What about sharing it with the world? Here in, Uploaded.TV that allows you to do just that! Shoot a video of you expressing your viewpoints and upload it in www.uploaded.tv. Watch your video on real TV, anywhere in the world. Let it be known to the world what you think!!
Bail out the American families! If the people are bailed out, they can pay their debts, therefore the American people can bail out the economy! If the people have money, they spend the money. If money is spent, the economy is good.
Dumb asses with all the money need to start thinking of the country and not their country clubs!
Please educate yourself on the issue before you leave an ignorant comment. Coming from a UAW family, and interning for the industry I have seen first hand what has been happening for years. I can see why people oppose, but really think on how many jobs it will affect nationwide. 3 million jobs could be lost after the demise of the auto industry due to supplier bankruptcies, which will affect foreign auto companies. The idea that GM doesn't make cars people make is another absurd notion. The Buick Enclave has seen +88% while the Chevy Malibu has had +39% in sales increases. Please take the time to pick up a local/national newspaper, and educate yourself. Maybe take it a step further and pick up the Detroit Free Press learn all sides of the story before you open your mouth.
OpEd, Cameron Salisbury:
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"If anyone doubted that a class war is in progress, hidden beneath a variety of euphemisms, like ‘bail out’, ‘downsizing,’ ‘outsourcing’ and ‘NAFTA’, their doubts can now be given the decent burial that they deserve. There has been no more blatant act of class antagonism in recent memory than the apparent willingness of Congress and Wall Street’s appointed grifter, Henry Paulson, to let a major part of the American manufacturing sector die.
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The difference between a diffident Congress respectfully requesting a teensy bit more information before handing Henry The-Sky –Is-Falling Paulson a $700 billion authorization, in record time and with no strings attached, stands in stark contrast to the hostility and derision directed at Detroit’s auto executives, who are responsible for actually making something useful and who are requesting a $34 billion guaranteed loan to help get them through the harshest economy in memory."
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Why the hell was Wall Street bailed out with nary a provision? Welcome to republican economics — I'd rather my money went to the Auto Industry - at least from there, we get a tangible product and investment on ecological driving options
110% AGAINST THIS!!
It's too late for the Big Three, they are dinosaurs. EVERY American can I've ever driven turns into a rusted-out shitbox in about 3 years. I bought an '06 Hyundai Accent, then an '06 Hyundai Elantra, best investment I've ever made. They will run forever w/ regular maintenance.
Big Three = EPIC FAIL!!
Let them go down in flames.
If we revive a failing system, what's going to keep it from failing again? When will the bailouts end? People are going to lose jobs. WE'RE IN A RECESSION. GM, Ford, and Chrysler are taking advantage of American's empathy and poverty (let's face it, the country is broke).
To reinforce a point I made earlier, the government CAN'T FIX EVERYTHING. We are only what we have, and most of that belongs to China already. Stop thinking about the surface effects and consider long-term effects of a bailout.
Again, it doesn't actually matter what we think– Congress will pass it anyway, because uneducated voters/non-voters won't stand up in our Representative system.
And, please, your comment is worthless if you aren't contributing to the conversation. I understand this is "just a blog," but this is a serious situation ,and politicians and business feed off of these off-hand comments. Stand up for what our country is meant to be, realize how much we've diverted from being a truly independent, functional nation, and don't support government hand-outs.
–the failing auto industry doesn't only affect Detroit/Michigan. My dad is getting laid off at the Chrysler plant in DE at the end of the year, and he won't get his job back after the Big 3 receive bailout money.
–FORD was on the morning news, and it was stated that Ford does not actually need money, and only will fail if the other 2 companies do. Ford is asking for money that they DON'T NEED.
–I have driven American cars my entire life– two, a Ford Explorer and a Chrysler Sebring– and I've never been happier when driving my Nissan (one of the cars made in Japan, as Americans do manufacture some Nissans).
Both of my American cars had major failures– Ford, the engine (4k down the drain), timing chains (multiple times), and the fuel pump (twice); Chrysler, the transmission went after just 40k miles, as well as the air conditioning system failing. My Nissan has 150k miles on it, and I'm set to replace the fuel filter– the first repair in four years. Obviously, I understand that there are consistently variables in these situations, but don't act like your perfect American car is the epitome of the production quality.
This is the last you'll hear from me, bc no one actually reads these before they post. These people are the epitome of uneducated, over empathetic voters that are allowing the big businesses and Congress to control our money and change the American government (yet again).
i dont think you people realize how many people will be out of a job if they dont get the bailout. you cant just say "fine, i wont buy cars, whatever"…its WAY more than that. do you WANT another great depression??? last i checked, its awful and even obama can't help that.
YES TO THE BAILOUT
BUY AMERICAN!
Once again the majority of this country is thinking about themselves and not the broader picture. Letting the Auto Industry fail will lead to 60 million unemployed Americans. It is not just the auto workers who are affected, it is the industry surrounding it as well.
The auto industry is the backbone of the American economic system and we are be punished for the mistakes of companies like AIG who abused their bailout plan.
It is important that people realize the long term effect this will have on the US economy.
In addition, Japanese auto makers can turn over their plants quicker thank American companies can because they already receive government funding. Chrysler for example, is privately owned.
It takes years to flip a plant over and begin making a completely different type of vehicle. It also depends on the surrounding industry changing their plants as well to build the proper parts.
It is not as simple as some of you seem to think. I suggest you come to Detroit, work on the line and then share you opinion after your $90,000 home has been foreclosed because you can't secure a loan….
Re: kllyforman –
They do not receive minimum wage. Your average auto union worker now makes $26/hr. They re-negotiated their contracts last spring. As a Detroiter I am aware of first hand the impact of working on the the line for 25 years. You experience back problems, blood clots, migraines and all sorts of other ailments. The pensions are not that great, which is why the unions fight so hard for livable wages and health care. Keep in mind as well 20% off all auto workers are laid off withing 5 years of their hire date.
That 61% needs to understand that 10 people for each person working in the auto industry loses a job when they lose a job. If they did it for the banks to help people with mortgages then they have to help these people from losing more jobs.
I'm torn. I don't feel bad for the auto execs. but I feel bad for the thousands of people that will be affected if they do go under. The auto industry makes up a lot of jobs in the US and those people will be layed off. Its scary.
I feel bad for the workers but they are badly run companies with CEOs earning a fortune and probably not doing much so I have to say NO to a bailout….
How about firing the honchos making the big bucks replace them and bailout the companies so the workers don't suffer…..tough one….
Stop bailing out the companies that got themselves into this mess. Does our government really think they are spending the money wisely? Yeah, right. How about they buy out the stupid loans the banks loaned out to high risk people? We are far from another depression: remember that in the 80's we had the market crash worse than the Great Depression. Stop buying useless shit and only the necessities and we'll all be fine.
Let 'em flop! That's what you get for allowing unions to take over your companies. Employees only have to work 30 years, and then retire at 55 (or earlier) with a full pension and health benefits until the day they die. Insanity!!
the CEOs need to be fired ASAP. they should all be in jail for running these companies into the ground! take their salaries and give it to the people who are actually tryin to earn a living!
get some new management up in there, give em a little something. set some standards. and then lets see what happens. if its meant to go to shit, it will. and we'll just have to DEAL. its called CHANGE.
the CEOs and their assistants need to be fired ASAP. they should all be in jail for running these companies into the ground! take their salaries and give it to the people who are actually tryin to earn a living!
get some new management up in there, give em a little something. set some standards. and then lets see what happens. if its meant to go to shit, it will. and we'll just have to DEAL. its called CHANGE.
I am not sure if everyone understands the full impact that the Big 3 have on the economy. There are so many other companies that supply to the auto industry that would shut down with them. We see reports of all these companies laying off people and we all say that is horrible, now imagine how many more lay offs will come about if there is no bail out!!! Don't think of it as bailing out the CEO's but helping the man/woman on the line or the sale person.
Re: crazymegtay – That's not how it works. They can retire as early as 55 but they don't get a full pension. Pensions start out small and they spike closer to retirement age. So if they retire at the earliest age they so miss out on more money.
I think something should be done, but I agree with fat man michael moore on this one. thousands of americans can and would lose their pensions if the industry tanks. this really affects middle america, or "main street" much more than wall street would have us believe their bailouts would affect either. I think it's a slap in the face to the american people to have bailed out the wall street bankers with even the final bill having little oversight for those billions of dollars.
however, if the 3 big ones want that money new leadership needs to be put in place and instead of offering to nix 30,000 jobs they need to get out of bed with the oil companies and work to create vehicles that run on renewable energy. oh hai, they already have the capabilities to create electric vehicles (see the documentary: 'who killled the electric car).
as much as I'd like to tell them to fuck themselves, I know good people that will lose everything they've worked for if they fold, and we can't afford to let that happen.
I'm all for a "free market" but come on… clearly corporations don't and can't play by the rules when given no regulation by the government. that's just worked brilliantly so far….