Someone Tell My WHY!!!

[Grumpy]

This is about the AMERICAN CAR COMPANY BAILOUTS.

First off, let me definately state that i am TOTALLY AGAINST ALL OF THESE ECONOMIC BAILOUTS for any and all industries. As I said in another post, these bailouts are like paying ransom or extortion, once you start, it never ends.

And, second, let me make it perfectly clear that, although I firmly believe the unonization of many industries WAS ORIGINALLY A GOOD THING, I am not in favor of most of todays Unions (UAW or others). But that is a different story, I just don't want to be accused of siding with the Unions.

Now my real question is: After comitting at least Two Trillion Dollars towards the bailout of several financial insitutions with probably at least Two Trillion more coming next year, would someone explain to me why Congress and the Senate (and it seems everyone else) are so much against bailing out the auto industry to the tune of a paultry 39 Billion Dollars?

From what I have read/heard, I can't see how the CEO's perks, mismanaagement, extravagence, wastefulness, on and on and on and etc, is any worse for the auto industry than it is for all of the companies they are throwing money at. So why is Congress, et al, throwing money at these other companies and don't want to give a penny to the Auto Companies?

Someone Please Tell me WHY!!!

Grumpy

[apb]

Finantial corps give more money to candidate's elections ??

Andrew

[DJD]

A couple thoughts...maybe Congress wants more for our buck like greener cars and less oil consumption so that their image of being the green party stays on course? Their thoughts could be why give these guys money to continue building gas hogs when we represent radical nature loving nutjobs? We have them by the short hairs and now we as Dems can force the Al Gore, Nancy P. approach to a greener country down their throats for bailout money? So possibly, the power of the tree huggers and the american's public opinion poll (which could influence future elections) are at play here?
Another thought...didn't the labor unions side with the Dems? I wonder how that will play out? These guys side with whichever candidate promises them the most favors. JMO

[Col Forbin]

I don't understand most of the bailouts, or the reason why we would bail most of these out. I know the auto industry in America greatly affects our economy. However, I think all of the American Auto Manufacturers created this themselves. They have not attempted to be competitive with more environmentally and economically friendly vehicles such as honda and other foreign manufactures, however, they tend to focus on larger vehicles and luxury vehicles, with very few exceptions until the last year or tow. Also, each major American Manufacturer, has several sister companies that they claim also need bailing out. Why do we need to bail out Chevy so they can continue to manufacture both Chevy's and GMC's, or Ford with Mercury. I think they were aware of their troubles several years ago, and made no changes expecting that the government would bail them out with no questions asked. The auto executives showing up to the first scheduled bailout meeting with thier hands out with no plans of how the money was to be spent to revive their company only proves that.

[kygorski]

I guess congress can't deal with tangible things! Its the governments idea of saving energy.Fewer american cars, less gas consumption! fewer cars less wear and tear on roads and bridges.I guess its a form of " military intelligence" adapated to civilian life.And when they saw what the bankers did with their bail outs, the lights went on, but too late.Whose to blame WE ARE! We forgot the long gas linesof yester year, and we keep electing idiots to serve us, and forgetting that a politicians idea of servicing us, is different than what we imagined.Hey whats a couple million more un employed going to hurt? And those chinese made hummers for our military will save us money, and those allison tank transmissions can be made over seas much cheaper, BUT what happens if no one wants to sell us american military hardware? Those auto makers make a lot more than crappy cars.I cant remember all the cars I have had including trucks, but only one was an import, my old VW bug, the most dependable auto ever made.

[mhall]

One other thing to consider is the American people are getting fed up with this free money for everybody crap. I read the other day where that President of Ford recieved over 50 million dollars last year in combined compensation. Now you know the other two was about the same.
These wages are being paid to him and a cast of understudies at companies that are going FREAKING BANKRUPT. Sorry guys I don't feel sorry for the American Greed biting these CROOKS in the rear end. It's their own fault and the INSANE Union mentality of today's time that has caused their demise.
Grumpy is a 100% correct this cycle will now have no end and will balloon to Biblical proportions. Free money for everybody, Yee Pee, Free money.

[bassin_bug]

One other thing to consider is the American people are getting fed up with this free money for everybody crap. I read the other day where that President of Ford recieved over 50 million dollars last year in combined compensation. Now you know the other two was about the same.
These wages are being paid to him and a cast of understudies at companies that are going FREAKING BANKRUPT. Sorry guys I don't feel sorry for the American Greed biting these CROOKS in the rear end. It's their own fault and the INSANE Union mentality of today's time that has caused their demise.
Grumpy is a 100% correct this cycle will now have no end and will balloon to Biblical proportions. Free money for everybody, Yee Pee, Free money.

I heard one of the "Big 3" automakers CEO say that he would not accept a salary for next year. Whoop-de-doo! With all the bonuses he receives I'm sure he won't be standing in line at the Soup Kitchen. I didn't hear all that was said but did notice that no one asked him, or anyone else, if they would also refuse the bonuses they get. The government needs to rip some "golden parachutes" and let the suckers fall flat. Then they would know how the regular working stiff feels every morning when he/she heads out to work.

The politicians are in bed with the banking industry and CEOs of major corporations. This bailout thing has become a runaway train on a very long track with nobody in charge, no accountability, nothing but rivers of money flowing into deep pockets.

[Bobby Headrick]

AMEN TO ALL. and like that ad on TV, IT'S MY MONEY AND I WANT IN NOW.

[geobass]

I agree. But with that said. The big 3 have retirees that Toyota, Honda,ect that are produced in the US do not have. They also have unions. Unions had there place in the early days but in our world wide market of today, I feel they do not. The other non US manufactures also received subsidies from their home countries. We have seen far too many of our own US companies move off shore for a variety of reasons. The steel mills for one. In the past the US was the manufacturing center of the world, but no longer can we claim that. If we were to loose any more manufacturing jobs what will we become? A country of consumers? We only have ourselves to blame. WE are the ones that put this and the new congress in office! What ever happens is OUR fault. Call, write, or e-mail you elected officals and let them know what YOU think should be done.
If the big 3 reduced their cost by 2-3 thousand dollars would you buy American? If this is the case instead of a bail out, lets tax the non US owned car companies 3-4 thousand dollars per car/truck sold in the US, and give it to the big 3.

[psprowler]

I saw on abc news where the average wage of the big3 with benefits included was like $70+ an hour, but Toyotas was like high 40's an hour. Guess which one is looking for the bailout?

[mhall]

I saw on abc news where the average wage of the big3 with benefits included was like $70+ an hour, but Toyotas was like high 40's an hour. Guess which one is looking for the bailout?

Kinda elementary isn't it, lol.

[Col Forbin]

I saw on abc news where the average wage of the big3 with benefits included was like $70+ an hour, but Toyotas was like high 40's an hour. Guess which one is looking for the bailout?

The average teacher pay is around $34/hr - that is just for time spent at school, this does not include the twenty some hours per week that the average teacher spends on planning and other stuff outside of school. That seems a little backwards to me. Especially considering that all teachers are required to eventually earn a Masters degree.