There's enough blame to go around here. Congress is a joke. BUT the companies AND the unions (sorry Ray!!) have their share of responsibility in this.

       But the blame game will not solve the problem. The big three, or 2 1/2, will have to become competetive pricewise with the rest of the world. All the legislation in the world is not going to force people to purchase overpriced merchandise. The Americans have managed to become competetive in the quality and performance areas, but they will still need to bring down their costs. Don't think so? check Wal-Mart and see where things are made, or try to buy an American made boot or shoe! 40 years ago I worked for a while in a sole leather tannery in Pennsylvania. It's gone, along with a couple hundred other American leather companies. Several Thousand jobs in Mass. and along the east coast and down south went with it. They wouldn't change, so they were forced out.

 Look at Youngstown Ohio, or Gary Indiana for what happens when steel wouldn't change. There is no more American light airplane industries. The government/ Green environmentalists are trying to kill the coal industry. We can't drill for oil in the US, or build nuclear plants. Almost All of this is directly attributeable to EPA/OSHA and other Gov't agencies, and poor management, and Union based costs.

Obviously we need more legislation, higher wages, and more help "protecting" the environment.

      I'm getting down from my soapbox and going to take my nap now. 

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Eistith, I believe you are RIGHT ON!!!!

-Gary Burnette-

EJSTITH....................Amen  !!!

56 victoria

ejstith,

Well said!!!!!

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

It's strange that in the original post, bashing basically every Republican in the system, he failed to even mention the outlaw actions of the likes of Barney Frank and Cris Dodd, which both should be in jail in my opinion, but the people of their states will vote them in again and again. He failed to mention the give-a-way tactics of the likes of Nancy Pelosi, Harry Ried, Chuck Shumer, Henry Waxman and on an on. They have been in control of the congress (the money) for the last two years and what good has come of that? I'm not saying that Bush et al has done everything right but believe me, there's enough blame to go around to all of the scallywags. And you think things are going to get better with this gang coming in? We'll see said the blind man to his deaf dog!

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

My thoughts exactly.

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias

Marv, my point is that dispite what you see on the news about Govs selling senate seats ect, there are still elected officals that try to do what they were elected to do. I think that the 700 billion  given to the banks was a slap in my face and all other tax payers and while 25 billion or 32 billion (which is it) is a relatively small amount, I don't think that myself, my kids or my grandkids should have to work to pay for the excesses of the auto makers or the unions without some assurance that it's going to fix the problem first of all and second that it want happen again. As far as the foreign auto's, as long as people buy them, they will keep making them, same thing with underware. Comes down to if you are willing to pay 10 bucks for a pair of drawers made in a USA union shop or are you going to Wal Mart and get three pair made in southeast Asia for 6 bucks. Bottom line, we Americans vote every two or four years at the polls, but we vote every day with our wallet. Another thought, I doubt that many politicans will be reading this forum so maybe we should get back to what we know best, Y Blocks. By the way I have contacted both Sen Shelby and Sen Sessions and voiced my opinion on this whole bailout thing. I suggest that all concerned Americans do the same.

Glen Henderson



Freedom is not Free

Letohatchee, AL

I am sorry if I was the one who jerked your chain Glenn, but this stuff not only pertains to the Auto indusrty but all of Industry.  Yes many of our vehicles were made in Canada, our good neighbors, now & even way back in the 50's, but they were still American cars, with our parts & designs,etc, & Canada did not try to build their own & be in direct competition with us. What I saw in these Senators, including yours is their opposition to this bail-out-is their putting all the fault on the big 3 & their unions. But it should not be at the expense of others. Some of the fault goes to them too for subsidizing & helping these foreign companies to set up non-union shops in their states. These companies have re-lentlessly worked at getting it all. They couldn't even leave the American truck alone.    I also get so sick of hearing people bicker about others making so much money for what they do- that is part of the problem. We need strength & support from our brothers & sisters, not this kind of stuff.  

Lets not make this a north & south thing either-we are all in this together. We also have had textile milll, leather factories, and iron ore mines shut down & now are ghost towns here, as they all went oversea's.   The unions tried to stop it but industry & goverment was too powerful & they have broke us down.  They have pitted one against the other.  Yes I have worked Union & have seen the company "bring in "scab" labor doing our work for just a $1.00 less any hour & throw it our faces. And at contract time, they say take it or leave it, becuase we have them if you don't like it!

 Yes, Glenn, My chain has been jerked for some time now!  Time for us to change these ways and sticking up for each other as Americans, as these Senators and Everyone should be doing!!

     

Yes, the retirement plans are supposed to be self sustaining, but the health care insurance is still shouldered by the manufacturers.  So who eventually pays it?  We, the consumers.  And it looks like the consumers are less likely to buy right now.

By the way, a friend of mine, retired GM, said that GM has "borrowed" some $5 million from the retirement fund.  I have no proof of this, anyone know?

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

It is outrageous that anyone (Democrat or Republican) in the government should use any of my tax dollars to bail out any corporation,company or individual that has not operated their business or personal life in a responsible manner.That includes the already bailed out financial institutions and the automakers and all the foolish,greedy,self-centered narcissistists who bought houses and vehicles and toys that cost far more than they could afford.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO