Gosh dangit, I was with ya right up till the last line; “But… the Dems owe the UAW and Michigan for this election. It’s payback time. So…”

According to the Obama folks, they owe THE AMERICAN PEOPLE for this election – the one’s who rallied behind their cause, that is. And even though the UAW is a few percent of that group, it’s much less of a power base then it once was. I’d be curious to see the numbers if anyone has them but, to the extent that this is true, Obama owes a much broader group of voters for this election more than any single group.

It will be interesting to see how he backs his promises. Will he promote the future economy that our college grads will face tomorrow? Or will he check off to Pelosi and Reid who anti up to the old power base of the unions, which include teachers, utility co’s, skilled laborers, etc, etc…

“Contrast this with non-union Toyota, whose total hourly U.S. labor costs, with benefits, are about $48 per hour. Those lower labor costs mean Toyota enjoys a cost advantage over U.S. automakers of about $1,000 per vehicle. Is it any wonder that Toyota is outselling American automakers and from plants that have been built on U.S. soil? According to James Sherk of The Heritage Foundation, Japanese car companies provide their employees with good jobs at good wages: “The typical hourly employee at a Toyota, Honda or Nissan plant in America makes almost $100,000 a year in wages and benefits, before overtime.” - LINK

While the big three lose share and billions every month, Honda, Toyota and Kia are building plants and creating jobs in states all over America. Bankruptcy would let the big three restructure, get out from under the union contracts and compete effectively with a rational cost structure. If they get a bailout, it’ll just get be burned up in a few months and we’ll be right back in exactly the same situation, well – except your kids will owe China another $50 Billion or so.

But… the Dems owe the UAW and Michigan for this election. It’s payback time. So…

Done deal.

It depends on HOW a bailout is structured, but one should be attempted.

BAILOUTS ARE COMPLEX BEASTS, but Try something outside the box like this to save the U.S. Auto Industry – - -

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/11/solution-for-detroit-gm-friends.html

Toyota and Honda also depend on the same suppliers who feed GM and FORD. No need to let “Detroit” disappear.

There is also much creative talent hidden inside the U.S. Big 3 that has been smothered by mismanagement and the UAW.

i agree GM should be let go. Lets let these ppl go on to fill more productive positions in society.

i am pure democrat but lets keep our country nimble and flexible.

I read his methodology but unless I see his figures I can’t put a lot of stock in his findings.

What surprised me so much is that I thought GM had really made a turn around the last few years. Their Silverado Truck line has really come on strong and surpassed Ford as the #1 full sized workhorse, I thought. I guess it shows that the damage done in the ’80’s and 90’s to the brand is difficult to overcome.

We rent cars all the time and I’ve been impressed with so many of the GM vehicles; Malibu, Impala, Cadillac, and the smaller SUV’s are all good on gas but not lacking in power. Autoworld’s chief editor was recently on CNBC and that was his sentiment as well. He spoke about the great improvements GM has made, but that it may simply have been too late when the economic factors complicated things. That’s a shame. Sounds like a tragic shame, actually. Maybe we could’ve helped GM with their come back, if they deserved another chance – if only we could afford to buy a new car!

Given this list, one would argue that GM is the one American company to save, not let go into bankruptcy…