Nix auto industry bailout


Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 2:09 PM CST

Bail out the auto industry? I don’t think so. That is not now nor has it ever been a function of Congress. We are no one’s bank or safety net. If we want to place the blame for the auto industry’s apparent failure to maintain profitability, let’s put the blame where it belongs, on the United Auto Workers Union. This union is responsible for the exorbitant wage rate (plus benefits) of almost $80 an hour. The UAW is responsible for the retirement plan that adds $2000 to the cost of every American built vehicle. It is time to cut the fat out of not only this industry, but out of the banking industry as well. While we are at it, let’s cut the fat out of government by outlawing pork barrel spending and all these ridiculous earmarks that inflate our out-of-control budget beyond anything resembling intelligent thought and planning. Whenever government and its supportive bureaucracy controls the lives of every citizen of that country it is the formula for disaster, and we are in danger of this happening right here in the United States of America. It’ll happen a little at a time, as it has for years now, in hopes that we won’t recognize the theft, until we find ourselves completely at the mercy of the Federal Government. God help us all!

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Comments

    Chris Wilson wrote on Dec 19, 2008 8:31 PM:

    " It costs the COMPANY about $80/hour for each employee. The average wage of the auto worker is about $35/hour. And yes, that DOES add $2000 more to the price of a car. By the way, the reason that "foreign cars" cost as much as "American cars" is because of the tariffs imposed on those companies by congress. This was done because the "foreign cars", when first making it big in this country, cost thousands less than "American cars"...the American companies couldn't compete. So they pulled strings w/congress to even the field. "

    Southern Fried Brain wrote on Dec 9, 2008 9:03 AM:

    " The UAW workers make, w/benefits, approx. $58/hr. While the employees of "foreign" car co's in America make about $28/hr!
    Let the car companies file CH. 11 bankruptcy! This will force both the company AND the Union to re-negotiate their contracts! Let the car companies restructure just like any other company would! You don't throw "good" money after "bad" money.
    Some of this money will go directly into retirement benefits! Yes, this IS an operating cost, BUT it does NOT help the company to make money!! "

    what wrote on Dec 2, 2008 1:02 PM:

    " The UAW workers DO NOT make $80 per hour. If the auto industry fails so do MANY other workers whose livelihood depend on the auto industry all over USA. Last time I checked foreign automobiles cost as much/or more than UAW made autos and didn't cost any less. Must be the man sitting behind the desk raking in all the cash. "

    Limpblah wrote on Nov 27, 2008 8:19 AM:

    " $80/hr. wage rates and $2000/car retirement?

    You need to lay off the Limbaugh Neocon Kool-Aid, it is making you drunk... "

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