December 11, 2008
GM, Chrysler & Ford have a message for taxpayers: Suckers!
They won't take our money just yet; Republicans in the Senate blocked the bailout tonight, meaning the automakers -- and the unions -- just might have to change the way they do business.
There's nothing wrong with a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. In fact, it's just what's needed for the sclerotic car makers to regain a measure of competitiveness, clean out the deadweight, shed unprofitable divisions, and get labor contracts that eliminate the $2,000-per-car penalty the Big 3 have to fork over to the UAW members -- $2,000 that the foreign automakers get either as profit or use to lower the sticker prices of their cars.
Posted by Mike Lief at December 11, 2008 11:54 PM
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Comments
I've purchased both American and Japanese cars. I've been more happy with my Ford Taurus than any Japanese car I've ever owned. Like many Americans I'm very worried about the survival of the American auto industry. Millions of people depend on its survival.
Maybe I'm alone but the photo you've put up is offensive to me. We need to support our neighbors not tear them down. The global marketplace is bringing change at a very fast pace.
If the companies aren't making money they won't survive. You aren't making it easier for them to survive with this offensive photograph. All of the American car companies are about to turn out some green and economic cars. We need to give them a chance. I'm green. I'm pro union and I buy American. Oh, and I'm a defense attorney.
Posted by: I live green at December 14, 2008 02:11 PM
I too have purchased both types of cars. I currently own two Fords and I like them. I think the picture is FUNNY and I think the picture is ACCURATE.
The car companies and the unions have managed to take themselves out. There is nobody to blame, especially the host of a website, but themselves. The unions have made it impossible for these companies to compete. The marketplace should now be left to put them out of their misery.
When you are a union employee, you have to think about the viability of your company when considering your next contract. These unions did not and neither did the management.
You know what is offensive? It is not the picture. It's the fact that the American taxpayer has to bail these companies out. The taxpayer cannot be the safety net for poor choices made by companies and those that work for them.
Posted by: RW at December 15, 2008 10:44 AM
I laughed myself silly, then abruptly stopped laughing, because like most good satire, it has kernels of truth.
A frequent topic of discussion at lunch these days at work is speculation on what kind of automotive gems would emerge from any of the Japanese manufacturers if they got $25 billion from the Fed for R&D.
This whole bailout is right out of Atlas Shrugged. That is, companies that make products that people buy, and profits, are taxed out of business to support companies that do neither. The whole deal scares me right up there with getting cancer. In either case I'm pretty screwed. Actually, there's a good chance I'd beat cancer...
Posted by: Charles at December 15, 2008 09:46 PM