As the auto makers of this country goes, so goes this country

[IsItJustMe]

Yes, I will make that assertion.

This country is giving banks and financial institutions over 700 billion dollars in tax payer money. Then you hear stories about how these CEO’s are still receiving 63 million-dollar bonuses. Where is the fricking outrage.

Now our auto industry needs some help. This help does not even come close to what was done for the financial institutions and yet you see the Republicans and the msm jumping all over it. And then I come to DU and read all sorts of ignorant posts saying that we can somehow allow these auto makers to fail.

I am here to tell you that this is not an option. I don’t know about you, but I know very few financial managers, but I do know a hell of a lot of people who are connected to the auto industry. I know people that work at part stores. I know people who work at car dealerships. I know people who work at factories that create parts for the big three. I know small towns where these plants are the economy, and if they go, so will the mom-and-pop businesses that support the people of those communities.

And the thing that really pisses me off is that auto makers create real wealth and production for this nation, unlike the money shufflers.

For those of you who think that we can allow these auto industries to go under, I would suggest you get your head out of your ass, get your priorities straight, and take a look at the big pictures for once. You may not currently be in a job that is directly affected by the auto industry, but from where I sit, it is all connected.

[YOY]

1. Unless we make some new industries STAT.

If those be better run auto-manufacturers then so be it.

Nowhere is it written that the big three must be our only industrial powerhouses.

[IsItJustMe]

2. No, it is not written anywhere. But I know this. You think we are in a bad place right now in this

economy, just allow one of these auto makers to go under right now. You have not seen nothing yet.

[YOY]

4. Then we have to move as fast as possible.

If federal money and manpower is needed than focus it here and not in Iraq. I am well aware that if one goes down and there is not a substitute in place it wil be VERY BAD.

[Sadie5]

5. You had better hope they survive

Or else this country is doomed. Would you rather the banks made out like the crooks and thieves they really are, or would you rather these industries helped the economy survive? Think about it!

[YOY]

6. Not buying it. New industry. Same Union. Same workers. Best of Engineering.

New executives. Sever ties to Big Oil. Strong movement to developing better technologies and less resistance to change.

The way to go. We still have the means to.

[CTyankee]

3. Sen. Stabenow made an important point. We have to actually MAKE something in this country.

WHAT we make is the question and I think it can be more fuel efficient cars. I can't see anything good by walking away from all those plants. Something has to be worked out. I say keep the auto industry open but force them to make the right kinds of cars for today, not SUVs.

[BeFree]

8. Nah

Give them a big bonus check. They are the experts... they know what America wants -- America wants cheap gas. And the big 3 have given us cars that NEED cheap gas. They aren't to blame, blame instead the Americans who are addicted to cheap gas. And to punish those damn yankees, take their money away from their kids and give it to the companies so they can build one last round of gas guzzlers so America can be happy again!

[CoffeeCat]

7. I used to work for a software company...

...and some of our big contacts were with major automakers. The company makes
virtual prototyping software.

Automakers were about 30 percent of our sales.

We also sold software to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that supplied parts
to the automakers. If the automakers go down, these OEMs will suffer greatly as well.
I can't even fathom how widespread the economic damage would be--when you factor in
all of these OEMs.

There are an untold number of businesses that are connected to the auto industry.

If they go down, they take many others with them.

[madhawk]

9. forms

i was wondering..........what forms do i fill out to get my government bailout? i am going under too.
hawk

[Cerridwen]

10. How much money could they save if they shut down their foreign

plants and built only here in the US?

Are the countries in which they have their foreign plants ponying up a few bucks to help them as well?

From 2005

DETROIT: General Motors, battling to stem its losses and stave off a charge by its global competitors, said Monday that it would cut 30,000 jobs in North America and close all or part of a dozen facilities over the next three years.

<snip>

The 30,000 job cuts, about 17 percent of its North American work force, include the 25,000 positions GM previously said it planned to eliminate in the United States. GM has about 325,000 employees worldwide. Once the plant closings and cutbacks are complete in 2008, GM will be able to build 4.2 million vehicles in North America, down about one million vehicles from its production capacity now, and two million less than it was able to build in 2002.

GM said it expected the job cuts to take place through retirements and a buyout package that it is negotiating with the United Automobile Workers union. Under terms of its labor agreement, the GM plants technically will not be closed until the two sides can reach a deal during the next set of national contract talks. link

From November 7th, 2008.

General Motors opens car plant in St. Petersburg

Global car making giant General Motors opened an automobile factory in St. Petersburg on Friday, the press service of the northwest Russian city's economic development committee said.

Carl Peter Foster, General Motors Vice President and President of GM Europe, said the company's presence in Russia was evidence of its confidence in the stable future of the Russian economy.
link but no additional information

Another link about their new plant in Russia

It would appear that at least GM is doing well enough to open a plant in Russia.

Perhaps they need to focus their monies rather than spreading out all over the place. Any business that grows itself too fast and spreads itself too thin can suffer. Moms and Pops would be required to shut down a few stores and concentrate their efforts if they wanted to stay in business and not go bankrupt. Perhaps the "Big 3" need to do the same.

[valleyreport]

11. UNIONS

REAL Democrats must support unionized labor. They are the only ones that have in the past. If we turn our backs on what's left of manufacturing and the union workers, well, you ain't seen nothing yet.