I concur whole heartedly. Both the union and management have been milking this antiquated system for years. Is it any wonder that Detroit has been and continues to be uncompetitive in the global markets? In what other industry can an employee be paid these high salaries for doing nothing...except perhaps for the senior executives who are charged with leading these organizations!

STOP PAYING PEOPLE WHO DON'T WORK?


That's a brilliant idea. A bit late in thinking of it. But, never the less brilliant.

If they do that, The not so big 3 should be able to do just fine, without the tax payer welfare funding after all.

Let them go bankrupt. This is the only way to break the union stranglehold on the Big Three.

Funny, the Jap cars built in Ameica are not asking for a handout. They be sleeping well at night.

The Japanese automakers to not have to deal with paying the retirement benefits of the baby boom class that has earned them whole-heartedly.

It's amazing to me how the Republican mind works Durring the time that congress and everyone was ranting and raving about the Auto Industry CEO's using private jets to go to a public meeting to save thousands of jobs using taxpayers dollars as a loan base.. Dick Cheney was using Air Force Two , to attend a Private fund raiser for a fellow republican (John Flemming) In Shreveport Louisiana the next day to try to save one job..Flemmings... now isn't that irony..

How much are American taxpayers paying our Congress Critters? Most of them are independently wealthy. You can check it out at www.opensecrets.org. Yet we pay for their outrageous salaries, their outrageous pensions, their outrageous health care benefits. At least auto workers actually MAKE something besides hot air.

United States Automobile Industry Solution
Viewing a Failing Industry as an Opportunity


By Gary Mermelstein



PROBLEM

U.S. car manufacturers have been operating at a loss for the past several quarters and are on the verge of bankruptcy. There is much debate surrounding the reasons we have arrived where we are, but virtually no dispute surrounding the reality that only forward thinking can solve the problem. A “government (tax payer) bale out or bridge loan” of $25 billion has been sought by the industry. As tax payers, we are damned if we do and damned if we don’t provide the funds.

DILEMA

The effects of auto industry failure are far reaching. It has been said that one out of ten jobs are somehow related to the industry. Up to 3 million jobs are at risk and the U.S. stake as a manufacturing power in the world is on the line.

Lending tax payer money to the big three without control over outcome is not wise. Merely loaning money will not increase demand for their products nor guarantee that the money will optimize the likelihood of a favorable result for the taxpayer lenders. Further, it is doubtful that $25 billion will get the industry to positive cash flow, especially given the current state of the economy.

SOLUTION

An ideal solution to the problem would not only optimize the chances of industry survival, but it would also work towards accomplishing many of our future U.S. goals:

1. Infuse necessary working capital to U.S. auto manufacturers
2. Ensure industry works towards fuel efficient/green autos
3. Create demand and sales for American autos in the near term
4. Protect and promote U.S. manufacturing sector
5. Immediate jobs/income, stimulate economy and help struggling consumers
6. Reduce carbon emissions
7. Promote energy independence

THE PLAN

Phase 1 – Bridge Loan

Immediately infuse $25 billion to U.S. auto industry as bridge loan. There is no doubt, the big 3 manufacturers will return to Congress with a “viable” plan on December 2nd, whether it actually is or isn’t. We must give them the money.

Phase 2 – Generate Sales/Demand for Green Cars, Stimulate Economy, Jobs

Issue $25 billion in vouchers redeemable from U.S. car manufacturers for energy efficient/green autos. The vouchers, x quantity, can be issued to taxpayers through a lottery type arrangement. Energy efficiency and green should be pre-defined but should not include, for example, Cadillac Escalade hybrids. Vouchers should only be redeemable for current efficient and innovative new green products.

So what if a voucher winner doesn’t need a new car? They can do whatever they want to with it:

1. Keep it and sell what they have to somebody else.
2. Give it away to someone more needy
3. Sell it at a discount. Selling it gets money moving.

Phase 2 spurs competition among the big 3 to race to market with products that meet our goals as stated above with real demand and sales, not just handing money over. If they don’t innovate, they won’t get their piece of the pie.

SUMMARY

This stimulus plan will protect 3 million auto industry jobs. The plan will actually increase employment as a result of a new industry for innovative green auto products. Phase 2 actually creates new demand/sales and stimulates our economy. The plan will create new green jobs; sell new insurance, new battery innovation and production, LNG autos, hydrogen autos, new registrations for autos, etc. etc. etc….

What might seem as the last straw in a failing U.S. economy could become a part of our solution to recovery. Let’s view the failing car industry as our biggest opportunity.

To: ALL AMERICAN'S

It is inportant for each of us to contact our Congressmen & women TODAY and tell them -

DO NOT US OUR TAX DOLLARS TO BAIL OUT AMERICAN CAR MAKERS!!

They need to go reorganize like any other busineses.

They MUST CUT THE OUTRAGIOUS WHITE COLLAR & UNION WAGES!!!

UNIONS ARE DESTROYING AMERICA" ability to compete in the golbal markets!!!

IT IS NOW OR NEVER - AMERICA