This is the question Tony Harris, CNN News Anchor, sarcastically posed while covering yesterday's Big Three on Capitol Hill story. I can't believe that he had the gall to ask if it matters that GM, Ford, and Chrysler get bailed out or not. Yes, it definitely matters, Tony!
If they don't (at this moment it looks like they will not be saved by our government) thousands more men and women will lose their jobs.
Does this Really Matter?
I guess the well-to-do cannot foresee the affects down the road: Working people will become newly unemployed and then they will have to depend on depleting social services to keep them afloat. Yes, I have heard the very valid argument, 'taxpayers need to stop bailing out corporations and businesses.’ But, what about the innocent workforce who are typically among/in the, you guessed it, working poor and/or lower middle class?
Does it Really Matter?
All day I have been watching video clips of these 'time to show my constituents that I care' congressmen blast three well-paid white men for flying in the comforts of a private plane to Washington, DC. In my mind this waste of a complaint does not matter considering the federal government decided YEARS AGO that our means of economic growth and riches in this country would be attained via capitalism. When ya wealthy and gained it honestly, why not ride in luxury? Would you fly First Class if you could pay for it? Most Americans would: We are the Land of Prestige.
While I don't agree with fat cats getting huge salaries/bonuses while their dependable workers struggle (similar to mega church preachers and their congregates), isn't it the American way to make as much money as you can? Since this IS the case in this corrupt country those hypocrites for leaders in DC should back-up-off the CEO's for doing what America set-forth YEARS AGO; and FOCUS on what the impact of a non-bailout will do to the people in Detroit!
How about an overpaid expert take a few days to conduct an analysis of what would happen if 10,000 more people lose their jobs in an automaker town? How about a well-known expert conduct research on what would occur if 5,000 additional people apply for food stamps in one small car making city? Just maybe if this is done, our ‘morally astute’ leaders will get it: An understanding of the strain a non-bailout will cause.
Bail them out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BKb8MI_tKU
Written by Brian E. Payne. Inspired by my commitment to buy another American made car.
16 comments:
Reader LS Responds:
disagree with the bailout as it is now. I think they should be allowed to file bankruptcy and get rid of some of those large pensions that got them into their mess when Mit Romney's dad turned them around the first time. Secondly, if you give a bad organization money they will still screw up. See CHina. They had a chance to take over the world financially but poor products and not product liability has Chinese goods stuck in warehouses and factories because no one wants them. The auto makers need to restructure and maybe even merge. The government can help them by giving them short term interest fee loans to make a better product with better standards.
Lastly, if you wanna blame anyone else blame all of you SUV drivers that didn't have kids. They just needed a "bigger car". The SUV market ruined American cars because they are overpriced and they aren't great cars. Cadillac was once a top brand. I drive one and I love it because I always have. I got into a Lexus GS the other day and at years end I will be trading in the Caddy for a car that will last me 10 years without all the problems and has better fuel ratings. They need to file bankruptcy and re-work their union contracts as well as the retiree benefits. Those alone take up over 50% of the companies revenue.
-LS
Muata Responds to LS:
You did not mention the PEOPLE at all in your analysis/equation/suggestion/answer. Your solutions are targeted toward the owners, SUV driver's, and unions. By the way, leave those unions alone! How about a solution that will not put people who dedicated themselves to a company for years in the poor house? Will someone please address the working poor/class (America's backbone), and what needs to happen so that they will be protected? How about standing behind what our soon to be Commander and Chief wants: Wealth Redistribution. This way we (taxpayers) can help. We ain't ready for that!
How about bailing them out and having a real expert help them restructure (not pensions - those new and expected retirees earned their money) so that the people will be protected??? The people, LS!!
-LS
Reader HJ responds:
Take this from someone that has been lost a job because of a failing company. Let the Big 3 fall. It has been proven at least 6 times right here in the U.S. (Honda, Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Mercedes Benz) that the automobile industry can be profitable and working class people have secure jobs. There needs to be a restructuring that will only happen by starting from the ground up. Did you watch the Senate hearing yesterday? GM has monthly bills somewhere around 3-4 billion. No cash past Jan so 12 billion would only take them to April. That is ridiculous at best. Let the build a company that will work for everyone. Pay the top salaries, design and build cars that more energy efficient. It can be done. they just have to do it. I would rather my tax dollars go to
retraining a worker to give him new skills than to put gas in a
billionaires jet.
-HJ
Muata responds to HJ:
As The Big Three fall, and while restructing is taking place: What will happen to the working people? I see people losing jobs.
-Muata
HJ Responds to Muata:
I would prefer to let them have unemployment benefits and let them
retrain for new jobs.
-HJ
Muata Responds to HJ
I was unemployed for 8 months. I got 2 weeks of unemployment. It was pennies. My mother lost her job, and then entered a "retraining program" via TFI. The retraining got her a job half her previous salary.
-Muata
Reader HJ responds to Muata:
Your circumstances were different. F and I were both unemployed.
We both got checks until we found jobs. There are programs that will pay for the training of your choice. You have to educate yourself on the available resources and not just accept what TFI gives. There are
government programs to take advantage of.
-HJ
Muata responds to HJ:
As a result of the company failing, the working people have to brunt the impact? Life is not fair - but the people need to be protected, Three. I say, 'keep the unions'!
-Muata
Reader HJ responds to Muata:
They along with extremely poor management are preventing these companies from being able to prosper. Look at the 6 examples I provided that doingthings differently. Why are they able to survive in this economy while the largest 3 are suffering?
-HJ
Reader HJ ask a question:
Can you take a poll for me? How many of us that want to save the Big 3 own any of their products?
-HJ
Muata responds to HJ:
HJ-
I own a Jeep. American made. I owned a Ford Explorer before too.
And, I swear to God that my next vehicle will be American made. I have always been a proponent of buying American. Always! I don't have a problem with the American made cars. I would be surprised
if someone could direct me to some legitimate information that actual states foreign made cars are significantly better. Of course, I will get: 'Ford has brake problems.' But, I really want to know if someone can provide me with information that can be substantiated. Any takers? Also, the best selling SUV's and trucks are American made. So, I guess these vehicles are pieces of crap even though millions of folk still buy them?????
-Muata
Reader Response:
Proud owner of a 94 Mercury Ford Cougar........................Unlike you prentious elitist, just kidding,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,hahahahahaha.
-PM
Reader LS responds to HJ's question:
I don't- never have.
I've always chosen Japanese...they hold their value better. Regardless of any other reasons- American made cars don't hold their value compared to their imported peers.
-TM
Reader LS responds:
Many people won't buy foreing because they want to support American companies. That's a fact. But the problem does not lie soley with the SUV in terms of performance. Did you see the big party in Dubai last night. The world is in recession but the oil Gods are still making tons of money. WHo is the number one consumer of oil from the middle east>? US. What companies make SUV's with huge gas tanks and poor gas mileage? American companies.
I bought American because I have always wanted a caddy. So I got it. I love it but the Lexus I liked much better and I am going to get it for sure. Loyality to American made products cannot come at the cost of quality. Quality performance, service and style is all apart of the equation. Give me one American sedan besides Caddilac that is even close to the Lexus G series. The Ford Fusion or maybe one of the Lincoln cars are close but not really. As to the point about millions of people buying them. You are correct. But consumer confidence does not always mean that the consumer is educated. Did any of you buy the first Iphone? Those flew out of stores but the 3G is much better.
JD power rating gave Lexus 5 stars in every category in the Dependability ratings but Ford and chrysler never got above 3. Buick recieved 4 stars.
-LS
Muata responds to TM:
Perhaps, they hold their value because they are in more demand. You, Americans, prefer a foreign vehicle over your countries which is one of the reasons people are losing their jobs. Not that that statement is expected to make anyone feel 'bad' - but the foreign car buyers are contributing to the mess to some degree. We definitely do not have a leg to stand on if we are not doing our part. This is similar to black folk not patronizing black businesses. Just on a smaller scale.
-Muata
Reader TM responds to Muata:
I prefer equity.
And style.
And reliability.
Most American made cars can't compete.
Plus their horns sound funny. Lol.
-TM
Post a Comment