They are actually attempting to further marginalize an American company in favor of the economic interests of those foreign corporations (who receive federal subsidies and who live in nations with national healthcare systems).

When did Japan, Germany, etc start providing nationalized health care to South Carolinians, and other southerners?

These senators aren’t marginalizing the American car companies, they’re doing a good job of that all on their own by paying too much and by being too inefficient. Dump the unions, come up with a realistic compensation package, and stop telling Tom he has to let Jim tighten a lose screw instead of letting Tom do it himself. What’s the worst that could happen? Failure? Too late, you’re already there.

If the government gets any kind of significant control of GM and/or Chrysler via a bailout that does not render the companies leaner and meaner and smarter, they are doomed anyway.

The other issue is that if the bailout only postpones the inevitable, it would be better to get it over with now instead of tanking the economy when it is on the path of recovery.

And we need to understand that what is really wrong with the big 3 is manifold: Poor management (especially supply chain); ridiculous union-created work rules that destroy productivity and flexibility; and the dollar cost of union contracts per vehicle produced.

If a bailout aggressively addresses those items (and there are others) then it might be worthwhile. If a bailout is just an handout, then it will be an epic fail. I for one, will not by a car built by robbing taxpayers.

Dumping money into it now simply fuels inflation, keeps a zombie alive another short while, and wastes your money and mine.

Dumping money into GM simply defers the inevitable. With the UAW master contract around its neck today GM cannot survive without continual governmental subsidies. And once those subsidies come in the UAW will simply keep raising the ante since they are now feeding off the government teat.

{^_^}

Kini on December 13, 2008 at 3:39 AM

You are just another misinformed parrot. The American auto companies have been making cars that compete well with Japanese and German products on repair rates for a decade now. You are spewing obsolete thinking and presenting it as fact. Please go do some research about repair rates and overall repair costs then try to tell me if your statement is still true.

They are so worried about the stigma about a bankrupt car company that no one will buy their products.

What about producing a product someone will want?
What about service after purchasing the product?

Too late BIG 3. My business goes to those that have pride in their craft and produce a great product….. Say HONDA!

DeathToMediaHacks

Let me guess… You don’t live in the south?

bluetick on December 12, 2008 at 10:09 PM

While you are awake in this world DeathToMediaHacks is asleep in another one.

I voted against Corker in the primary election a little over two years ago. Barring something unforeseen, I’ll donate money to him for 2012 if he faces any serious challenger.

I bet a reliable poll would reveal a large majority of Tennesseans are happy with Corker’s handling of the attempt to bailout the UAW.

The Senators that “come from states that are manufacturing bases for foreign auto corporations” did not vote on this one way or the other.

Break out the old civics testbook. It takes at least 60 votes to stop debate on a bill. The current Senate is close to even and there weren’t enough votes to end debate and bring it to the floor for an up or down vote. And you had a few Republican senators from the midwest who supported the bailout, but they couldn’t get their southern colleagues inline.

And this is the point. The supposedly “liberal bias” media is only barely covering this aspect of the vote. Fox has totally ignored it. CNN mentioned it briefly. And I can’t bring myself to actually watch MSNBC (except for Maddow who brought it up a ton) but I doubt that *shudder* Chris Matthews or Olby brought it up. But we have no problem demonizing an American union and supporting the politicians whose interest serve foreign owned car companies.

It seems that some of Corker’s reasoning had to do with the desires of his constituents in the Volunteer state including automotive plant workers. I am inclined to believe him.

Let me guess… You don’t live in the south?

Lived in the Plano suburb of Dallas for 8 years. Lived in Tallahassee Florida for 4 years.

DeathToMediaHacks

Let me guess… You don’t live in the south?

Interesting isn’t it. The part of the nation that is the most anti-union, also has the most foreign manufacturing plants. But beyond even that. They are representating their individual states business interest in the oddest way possible. They are actually attempting to further marginalize an American company in favor of the economic interests of those foreign corporations (who receive federal subsidies and who live in nations with national healthcare systems). Why are they allowed to blatantly lie and pretend as if these foreign manufacturers and their role as employer isn’t the sole reason for their non-support of the auto bailout. Even more ridiculous? Considering that the GOP is about to enter a long term minority positoin in terms of congress. It’s clear all these guys care about are winning their seats in 2, 4, 6 years. Southern GOP senators have a secure position..but it’s getting less secure and they could care two hoots about anything but their own political futures. And that means appeasing foreign corporations over American ones.

What’s the definition of treason again? I’m sure we aren’t going to say that Toyota is a legit constituency for Corker. And yet.

n0doz on December 12, 2008 at 7:55 PM

Toyota couldn’t make affordable muscle without the L if it had to. When they appeal to the Detroit metal’s most devoted fans, then the transplants can start speaking.

The R’s are going to lose on this one. The media is not going to educate anyone on the nuances of bankruptcy law, on the
choices that a government could have

They just want to be the ones who finished Reagan’s mission to bust unions. Then they’ll bail out more banks of Paulson’s choosing.