Should The Government Bailout GM?

No.

Bankruptcy will actually benefit the companies because they can restructure everything and if they have brains, eliminate the Union(s).

Unions are the problem. They are no longer necessary because the Government has put so many regulations about working conditions, fair hiring and even a minimum wage (although auto workers will be making far more than that).

They're turned into a way to fight for fairness for employees to a political machine that in itself is a business trying to get rich for themselves. They protect bad workers and prevent companies from hiring or even affording good workers.

Angus MacKenzie, editor of Motor Trend, had a wonderful editorial in the December issue articulating the case for bailing out the big three. I don't think there is an electronic version, so you should check out the print version if the opportunity presents itself. Here (http://blogs.motortrend.com/6350673/editorial/fixing-detroit-of-course-its-easy/index.html) is a blog entry of his that touches on some of the same points, but is not as polished as the one appearing in the magazine.

No.

Bankruptcy will actually benefit the companies because they can restructure everything and if they have brains, eliminate the Union(s).

Unions are the problem. They are no longer necessary because the Government has put so many regulations about working conditions, fair hiring and even a minimum wage (although auto workers will be making far more than that).

They're turned into a way to fight for fairness for employees to a political machine that in itself is a business trying to get rich for themselves. They protect bad workers and prevent companies from hiring or even affording good workers.
I had a budy who worked for Ford and there was a running joke that if you need a two week paid vacation fail a drug test. If you failed they sent Fl. for two weeks to rehab.

Ok, I read that again and a janitor cost them $70 an hour total cost but thats still around $150,000 just for a janitor. I'm not knocking the job or that a person is making that much but those kind of cost are going to drain any company. I also do not give the CEO's any slack either and even though they are way over paid alot of that comp. comes in a form of a stock bonus which is not looking to goo right now.

Angus MacKenzie, editor of Motor Trend, had a wonderful editorial in the December issue articulating the case for bailing out the big three. I don't think there is an electronic version, so you should check out the print version if the opportunity presents itself. Here (http://blogs.motortrend.com/6350673/editorial/fixing-detroit-of-course-its-easy/index.html) is a blog entry of his that touches on some of the same points, but is not as polished as the one appearing in the magazine.

Wow, someone who actually knows what he is talking about. I don't know enough to argue with anything he said at all. But it all sounds pretty reasonable to me.

No.

Bankruptcy will actually benefit the companies because they can restructure everything and if they have brains, eliminate the Union(s).

Unions are the problem. They are no longer necessary because the Government has put so many regulations about working conditions, fair hiring and even a minimum wage (although auto workers will be making far more than that).

They're turned into a way to fight for fairness for employees to a political machine that in itself is a business trying to get rich for themselves. They protect bad workers and prevent companies from hiring or even affording good workers.
this is as about an uneducated post that i have ever read around here. your saying that the government will take care of these auto workers? the place i work at could definitely use a union. they make millions upon millions, cut jobs, add more and more responsibility to the remaining work force. they raise our health care co payments every year. meanwhile, the C.E.O's still receive their multi million dollar bonuses. on top of that, their stock options. does this seem fair to you buster? my average raise has been about 2% over the last 5 years. with my benefits costing me more, its like no raise at all

The bailout isn't for the companies. Companies can go into bankruptcy and come out the other side in much better shape. The bailout is for the Union. That's why a better strategy for the CEOs would be to say, "We don't need your money". They should be threatening to file bankruptcy. Call the Democratic bluff. Pelosi and Reid will still be desperate to give them a fat pile of cash anyways because the UAW needs it far worse than the executives do. I'm forever amazed at how politically hopeless these CEOs are, though. It's not surprising that we are in the shape we are.

this is as about an uneducated post that i have ever read around here. your saying that the government will take care of these auto workers? the place i work at could definitely use a union. they make millions upon millions, cut jobs, add more and more responsibility to the remaining work force. they raise our health care co payments every year. meanwhile, the C.E.O's still receive their multi million dollar bonuses. on top of that, their stock options. does this seem fair to you buster? my average raise has been about 2% over the last 5 years. with my benefits costing me more, its like no raise at all
Sounds like your lucky to have an employer who pays your health ins. I pay $7,968 a year for health insurance and that does not include deductables or co-pays. I'm not complaining but I think people do not realize the cost to business to provide this coverage.

i understand this completely. but my company set an unrealistic goal of 13% return on capital. 4 years in a row we exceeded it. this year, to date, we are at 11%. in today's turmoil, this is outstanding. we have proved we can flourish in today's market, but my raises are always 2%. how fair is this?

i understand this completely. but my company set an unrealistic goal of 13% return on capital. 4 years in a row we exceeded it. this year, to date, we are at 11%. in today's turmoil, this is outstanding. we have proved we can flourish in today's market, but my raises are always 2%. how fair is this?
Well first off if they set a goal and you guys reached the goal then it was not unrealistic. LOL I don't have time to reply because I have a meeting but will. Take care.