Congressman:
"I want to express my view on the notion of any auto bailout plan. I am adamantly against ANY form of bailout for the auto industry. I would rather pledge to never every again buy a domestic automobile than see the UAW get away with the outright scandalous and mobster like actions they have plagued the automakers with over the past thirty years. These unions although once were necessary, have caused the majority of this problem by the ridiculous benefit and compensation packages that they have strong armed for themselves. These contracts have even allowed an employee to be paid 90 percent of their salary even if laid off.
These are the same people who walked out on GM when they tried to put a better brake system on the Camaro a few years ago. The American worker has become lazy. We are losing jobs to offshore manufacturing because of the high cost of labor. A decent wage for a days work is expected in any industry but these workers have gone beyond decent salaries and get incredible amounts of money and benefits to do next to nothing.
A local company Dresser Wayne was a prime example of how the Union forced the plant to close down. It was almost like clock work how every spring the workers would go on strike. Guess what…Eventually they closed the doors and went offshore.
The auto industry is better off going bankrupt and starting new without the Unions so they can be rid of the dead weight that has drug them down for years. Who came to the aide of the many American auto manufacturers across this country over the past one hundred years? At one time nearly every major City had its own car maker. Many companies like Hudson, American Motors, and so many others where bought out or just simply closed the doors to the “Big Three.” Tell me who was at the aid of the horse and buggy manufacturers when the cars came along? Who was at the aid of the typewriter manufacturers when the word processor came along? Who? No one. Either a company restructures to offer a product the public wants or they shut their doors. I don’t want to see anyone loose their jobs but if these people are unwilling to take benefit packages similar to companies like Nissan, Toyota and Honda then there is no hope for their future.
I was against the bank bail out Bill. I wrote letters and called my Congressmen. As usual they played politics as usual and did not listen to the overwhelming American voice that screamed “No Bailout.” I proved to be on the right side of that issue as nothing positive has come from the Bailout just more job losses, more home losses, and more destitute Americans. Why would the Government not simply go to those who were delinquent and offer them 24 months of interest only loans and extend the term on their loans? At least that would have given a lot of people a chance to get caught up on their bills. The Federal Government continues to print and spend money it does not have. Lead by example if you want to have people fiscally responsible then start with yourselves. A consumer economy is destined to fail when Government’s only directive is to taxes everything we have in order to create more funds to overspend. Call this a Revelation if you will…but the way I see it socialism is on the rise and the Federal Government has become a crack addict of sorts and it’s going to take a revolution of ideals to get it under control again. I urge you do not pass any Auto Bail out. Those companies and workers will need to do what it takes to get things right for themselves. If they are not willing to make some sacrifice then it will not bode well for any of us."
"RFGAIN"
Laurel, DE
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
19 comments:
I strongly agree, they need to bail themselves out. Their wages and benefit packages are not represenative of what most worker receive in this country. The goverment has become an ATM machine. Look at most jobs that lay off, the CEO's and top ecexutives make big incomes and the ones getting laid off make meager wages. The economy is driven by the consumer and middle class worker who is continually the ones getting laid off. Take a look at the income and benefit packages our political leaders receive and that's another sore subject. But as the little man we have no say or power to act.
Stop blaming the unions for everything. The biggest cost in a car is the transportation of parts from other places, while union wages account for less than 10%.
Keep buying those myths of how unions ruined everything. They aren't the ones that got the multi-million dollar bonuses -- the execs did.
And after the 3 million MORE jobs are lost (your friend's job at the car dealership, the lady in the parts store), explain to THEM how you lobbied to get their jobs cut.
The brake job on the Camaro? Where do you get your news? Flush Limbaugh?
How about, they get a LOAN to be repaid back with Interest within a certain timeframe IF they shed the unions. Otherwise, they don't get a dime.
What an idiot!
Wonderful letter. It's a shame that you will get a vaguely worded form letter sent out by an aide as a response. That's been my experience when writing to my "representatives." I don't think our letters ever actually get to our Senators and Congressmen. They do what they want anyway.
You dont have an idea why dresser in salisbury closed . Haliburton closed dresser not the union.
take your union hate and go to hell . unions made this country , greedy people most likely like you broke it, NOw buy a car on Salisbury employers 6 or 7 dollar and hour job.
You greedy --- -- - -----
And dresser did not go off shore.
There in austin texas. Paying there help 6 dollars an hour, no health insurance and the pumps still cost the same , no price reduction because of labor cuts.
But i here they aint doing so well either. haha ha
I have worked in the airline industry for 23 yrs. I have worked for both a non-union as well as a union carrier. Trust me a union in some work places is what I've allways referred to as a necessary evil. Unions negotiate for their work rules, benefits and pay. None of this can even happen without approval by the company heads. Unions also provide guidelines to which the company heads must abide by,without such guidelines the big wigs riding around on the private jets would take advantage of its workers. I've experienced both sides. I'm not saying that I"m in support of these lavish contracts at all. I've been through 2 bankrupcy's with my company and in the long run couldn't be happier that today I still have a job. The Big Three's contracts will be voided and anything they get will have to be renegotiated. I now make about 1/3 less than i did 10 yrs. ago with pay and benefit give backs but my children and I manage and I can count my self as lucky and happy that I still have a job. NO BAILOUT PACKAGE FOR THE BIG THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You think the unions have a good deal, take a look at federal, state and local employees. They have the biggest and strongest labor union in the nation.
They have job security. Pension security.
It's the 800 lb. gorilla.
As a retiree and ex-union member, I agree with several points in this post. The Unions have been a vital part in getting the American worker better working conditions, better wages and benifits. The problem with the unions are they began using their members as puppets and not advancing their goals for their members benefit. The Union leaders have become bullies and lost sight of their goals for the betterment of the American worker. The Union Bosses or Leaders have be come greedy with power and lining their pockets by raising the dues on their members at will. Does this sound familiar or am I the only one that sees a connection. The Unions have become Dictators of the work force like the Politians have become Dictators of our Government. To clarify, Politians spend at will, raise taxes at will and line their own pockets from our tax dollars by raising taxes with no consideration for the working tax payer and the future. The Unions, demand their desires, raise their dues at their discretion and manipulation, even though they will say it was passed during their conventions and line their pockets without considering the future consequencies to the member and American worker. The Corporate bosses are also just as much at fault bcause they are so greedy to see how much they can suck out of the consumer and line their pockets that they give in instead of using rationale negoiations and totally ignore Business 101. Politians, Corporate bosses and Union Leaders or from the same mold. They have allowed greed to supercede common sense. They all want the worker to put out more money so they can line their pockets and not feel responsible for their irresponsible actions and decisions
Hell I need 'them' to help 'bail me out'. All I need it 85 k to assure I can stay in my very modest home.
When my wife and I started to look to by a house we refused to go for the 200k homes the realtors said was our only ,best option. We waited ,looked and where patient till we found a great deal on a small / affordable home. And now that is hard to keep up with. Having no job , laid off,not 1/2 my old salary in unemployment.
Screw them.Screw the banks. If it has to get BAD to self correct then so be it.
Jason S.
You people have to realize that its a global economy now, not by my choice I can assure you. The corporations care only about profit. They couldnt care less about middle class American jobs, homes, futures they just dont care. Nafta and cafta and numerous other trade agreements are the problems. Our goverment under the control of lobbyist and capitalistic corporate power companies sold us all out. We can argue our views on this forever, it wont change a thing. Our buying power is about the only leverage that we have left. Thats slipping away with every day that passes as well. You want to talk about unions, hell we need to unionize the middle class Americans befor we dissappear entirly.
you people just want to point your finger at a working man, blue collar getting a fair wage.
Does aig workers have unions, do the wall street worker have unions, do the creditors that got us into this mess have unions. NO they dont.
The greedy lenders ,corp bosses with multi million dollars bonuses there corp jets and who knows what else there stealing from the corporations ,while they take from the working american.
Looks like you might find out how well the great america works without american workers, hell even the mexicans are going home.
See how well we do when they collapse.
No i dont think they should bailout the big 3 ,but dont blame it on the unions , they are a part of the fault. Right now you can build all the cars you want ,not to many americans can afford to buy one. so why build more.
I came to the "bury" 27 yrs ago with nothing but the promise of a job when i got here.I've worked in this community and the lord knows how I struggled to survive.I helped make alot of our local business men very rich while I have barely got by myself. Being a man of strong spiritial beleif, I found happiness without excess. I fell in many pittfalls including alcohal and drugs,without compromising my instilled code for living. I worked and struggled untill I was able to educate myself to the point of acheivement.With in the last year I went from a small business owner myself ,with 3 employees,to now I am a self employed contractor.There have been a whole lot of hoops for me to learn to jump through.I was blessed with a son and a wife.I have been given the privledge of fathering a beutiful daughter as well.Now at this time,I had my son taken from me and my company,that was for my sons future, has failed.Times are very hard for all.I still hold fast to my understanding that there is a reason for all that happens to each one of us.Everything I have been taught,which I thought was fact,has been proven to be wrong.If anyone who reads this has tried their hand at owning a bussiness,which was what I was taught was the American dream,and owns their own home,also the dream,then you know of the hardships. Instead of people seeing someone willing to work for what they need and being happy for them,they them selves find it a threat to themselves.I guess Im spouten off but my point is is , no one bailed me out and I take it very personal that I won't get bailed out unless I can find a way to make it on my own.
I vote "NO !" for the bailout but it isn't about what I vote.Not any more.Because the state and federal representitives have already got what they want.Over the years I have found that fear lives where there is no faith and trust in knowing all will be well in the end.
As hard as times are and will be worsening we still find those that are self seeking to use the "bad" times to acheive what they think is right.Without the insight of what their actions will unfold.
Obama for president? Come on ,is this some kind of sick joke the wealthy are playen or just a distraction for them to rob us all blind.WAKE UP AND SMELL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKING" I just hope this is the beginning of the world to drop its boundries .Then maybe success for all won't depend on who you know but on what you are willing to contribute to the betterment of all. thank you for allowing me to voice out.You really have begun something great here Joe,so lets keep it up beat and not beat up on those not yet educated.
Unions did not make this country, 9:12, DREAM ON!!! They are helping to ruin, but they did not make this country. This country was made by people with ingenuity, talent, and intelligence, the likes of which you will never find in a union boss. They distort market incentives and they rightfully deserve a good portion of the blame in this case. Go read a book and enlighten yourself before you make comments like the one you just did.
Does anyone out there being helped with personal home foreclosure?
Like Joe said at a council meeting, the bank that loaned the bad loan for the condo on Fritzwater bought it back at a $4 million dollar loss. Is that who banks are helping bailout on foreclosures or are they going to help American families keep their homes?
Unions are no longer about protecting the American worker,they are about extorting outrageous pay and benefits from companies.Toyota and Honda both make cars and trucks right here in America and they pay pretty decent wages but the American automakers want more,more and still more.Why? Is their work any better?NO!
If this proposed bailout goes through,there is an easy way we can fight back and that is to STOP buying their inferior crap."Just say no" to Ford,Chrysler and GM!Want a fuel efficient vehicle that will last 200,000 miles or more AND retain a high reslae value?Buy a Honda,Mazda or Toyota-or better yet,a Volkswagon.Dont complain about the buyout if you are driving a Chevy Suburban....
If the auto industry was gone, this country would crumble. Plain and simple. You have to think of everyone who would be effected by this.
We are a capitalist country,which means the auto industry is going to have to do like the rest of us and operate within their means.Diversify their products so that they CAN make a profit.For one thing,the employees and CEO's are overpaid.You have to cracka few eggs to make an omelet and they cannot expect the government to bail them out while they are still spending in excess.this is NOT a socialist country(yet) and it is not the governments job to save every failing company that comes down the pike.Its simple business 101-build a better,more dependable and desirable product than the other guy,one that people can actually afford to buy and they will buy it.
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