Big 3 Bailout

[bradisgoofy]

I am about to be laid off indefinably because of the Big 3 auto makers not selling vehicles. It doesn't help that many Americans keep buying foreign cars. I would like to remind everyone of how much these foreign car makers think of America -

How quickly everyone forgets . . the American car companies were good enough to contribute significantly to the Red Cross following 9/11, but when they are in their own emergency situation they are swept aside and ignored by people who very well may have benefited from their generosity.

An interesting commentary...You might find this of interest:

CNN Headline News did a short news listing regarding Ford and GM's contributions to the relief and recovery efforts in New York and Washington.

The findings are as follows....

1. Ford- $10 million to American Red Cross matching employee contributions of the same number plus 10 Excursions to NY Fire Dept. The company also offered ER response team services and office space to displaced government employees.

2. GM- $10 million to American Red Cross matching employee contributions of the same number and a fleet of vans, suv's, and trucks.

3. Daimler Chrysler- $10 million to support of the children and victims of the Sept. 11 attack.

4. Harley Davidson motorcycles- $1 million and 30 new motorcycles to the New York Police Dept.

5. Volkswagen-Employees and management created a Sept 11 Foundation, funded initial with $2 million, for the assistance of the children and victims of the WTC.

6. Hyundai- $300,000 to the American Red Cross.

7. Audi-Nothing.

8. BMW-Nothing.

9. Daewoo- Nothing.

10. Fiat-Nothing.

11. Honda- Nothing despite boasting of second best sales month ever in August 2001

12. Isuzu- Nothing.

13. Mitsubishi-Nothing.

14. Nissan-Nothing.

15. Porsche-Nothing. Press release with condolences via the Porsche website.

16. Subaru- Nothing.

17. Suzuki- Nothing.

18. Toyota-Nothing despite claims of high sales in July and August 2001. Condolences posted on the website

Whenever the time may be for you to purchase or lease a new vehicle, keep this information in mind. You might want to give more consideration to a car manufactured by an American-owned and / or American based company. Apart from Hyundai and Volkswagen, the foreign car companies contributed nothing at all to the citizens of the United States ...

It's OK for these companies to take money out of this country, but it is apparently not acceptable to return some in a time of crisis. I believe we should not forget things like this. Say thank you in a way that gets their attention..

 

[MicahGinaShannonBret]

you're goofy for sure, or maybe that is an understatement. that is an untrue email that's been circulated for years (gosh, you even pasted the exact one from the debunk site)

reality is ------------ go to red cross's site. furthermore, remember that those are COMPANIES, not CHARITIES. GO TO -

www.redcross.org/news/ds/0109wtc/donationwork/myths.html

and below further you can read it anyway. THAT IS THE OFFICIAL RED CROSS SITE. Not your fake email rumor forwarding copy and paste.

Also a reminder to you that many many "american" automakers now manufacture out of the USA. A few examples - the Cadillac Escalade is ENTIRE in Ramos, Mexico now. Believe me, I know. Want the long list of others? And why are they now in Mexico? with many parts even made overseas and shipped in instead of the (example- Gm or Ford) spinoff companies of those manufacturers?
U
W
A
and everyone knows it but the radicals of course still want to try to justify the gluttony of the
U
W
A
and their "brothers and sisters " that have gotten the USA in a good portion of the mess it is in.

$80+ in wages and benefits per hour compared to $30 in wages and benefits per hour is a big difference. Billions of bucks in U A W hotshot pockets while "members" lost jobs , homes and families, hmm... that's real "leadership" The loyalty of some radical U A W posters is perhaps admirable (COUGH) but misplaced obviously.


HERE"S THE RED CROSS SITE -----------
www.redcross.org/news/ds/0109wtc/donationwork/myths.html


From the Red Cross itself----------
A number of myths have been misreported in the media lately. The American Red Cross feels that it is important that these myths be addressed and dispelled.

If you gave the American Red Cross a donation with the intention of helping this nation heal from a catastrophe of unprecedented proportions, rest assured that it will be used for its intended purpose.
MYTH:
No foreign automobile manufacturers provided support for Red Cross relief efforts after the tragedies of September 11.

A e-mail from an unknown source has been widely circulated that improperly references a CNN Headline News article about automobile manufactures' support of charities after September 11. This e-mail falsely states that foreign automobile manufacturers have not supported charitable relief agencies responding to those impacted by the terrorist attacks.
TRUTH-
The Red Cross alone has received millions of dollars toward its relief efforts for the tragedies of September 11. In addition to the following corporate gifts, individual dealerships may also have supported these efforts locally.
TRUTH-
Below is a list of automobile manufacturers (both foreign and domestic) that supported American Red Cross relief efforts following September 11.

BMW

$1 million contribution to the American Red Cross
donated 10 SUVs with an estimated worth of $445,000 for American Red Cross relief efforts
Ford Motor Company

$1 million contribution to the American Red Cross
General Motors

$1 million contribution to the American Red Cross
Harley-Davidson, Inc.

$1 million contribution to the American Red Cross
Honda Family of Companies

$969,442 contribution to the American Red Cross
Mitsubishi International Corporation

$1 million contribution to the American Red Cross
Nissan North America, Inc.

$500,000 contribution to the American Red Cross
Toyota

$1 million contribution to the American Red Cross
Toyota's North American affiliates, including Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Toyota Tsusho America, Toyota dealerships and Lexus dealerships raised a total of $891,746.93 for the American Red Cross
Subaru of America, Inc., and its parent, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.

$532,000 contribution to the American Red Cross

 

[graciejane]

So sorry to hear you will be laid off soon. The shop my husband works at laid off 80% of their employees 2 weeks before Christmas, directly because the big 3 and the lack of auto sales. If they aren't selling cars, many many many people will be out of work. We are grateful that he is going back to work next week but don't know for how long it will be. Hopefully things will turn around soon. Saying a prayer for you and your family.

 

[stacktester]

Myth or not, too many jobs are being lost in this country due to companies sending jobs that were here to other countries. If Obama wants to tax something, tax the company until they quit sending work overseas. It's time America starts taking care of it's own people and not others. I'm not saying just make it all for us and be stingy, but we need stability here first.

 

[vick]

Everyone blames the UAW for the Big 3 problems. Unless you are a member and know what UAW members are actually getting paid and the benefits they actually get, you have NO RIGHT to post negative lies about them. My dh worked 24 years and was a member of the UAW. Yes, they were good to us, but he didn't make anywhere close to what everyone thinks. Over the years, we lost a lot of benefits, especially healthcare. My dh worked for Delphi. When they were in 'bankruptcy" procedures, the CEO and upper level management got millions of dollars in bonuses. It isn't the workers that have caused problems. It's management. Until you know what is actually going on, don't post negative lies about UAW workers!

 

[auntie]

I'm interested in the various viewpoints regarding this subject. However, I'd ask that the newcomer to the board(if that's what you are) do so in a civil and respectful manner. Name calling..only diminshes the validity of your position.
Welcome to the board.

 

[BRDof3]

I personally would like the new poster to use their usual name. This one was created purely to make that one post. Makes it hard to have a civil discussion that way.

 

[graciejane]

Myth or not, too many jobs are being lost in this country due to companies sending jobs that were here to other countries. If Obama wants to tax something, tax the company until they quit sending work overseas. It's time America starts taking care of it's own people and not others. I'm not saying just make it all for us and be stingy, but we need stability here first.

Amen to that!!

 

[auntie]

I personally would like the new poster to use their usual name. This one was created purely to make that one post. Makes it hard to have a civil discussion that way.

There was a second post..I'm glad to see it was removed.

 

[vick]

There was a second post..I'm glad to see it was removed.

Ditto!

 

[LONE-STAR]

Sorry to hear about you losing your job. Just have to say I have always bought American made vehicles and always will. 1 chevy (3/4 ton4x4)
2 dodges (3/4ton 4x4) 3 ford (1 ton 4x4) 1 mustang and 1 jeep 4x4. Thats mine and my wifes combine vehicles so far that we have owned and traded. My point is there is no other choice but to buy American vehicles because Americans are the only ones making real vehicles. For example last I checked Honda does not offer a truck to pull a 12 thousand pound toy hauler.

 

[vick]

Sorry to hear you're getting laid off too Brad. I was so annoyed by the mistruths of the deleted posts, that I forget to mention that. I hope things look up for you soon!

 

[4mickey2]

the company i work for is also directly related to the big3.. we have had a lot of folks get fired over the past year and yes about 30 more got let go two weeks before christmas. we don't have a clue what will happen when we return from our madatory 2 week shut down.

but, not only has our company released people from our usa plants, they also got rid of (if i remember correctly) 20% of their employees in china and india and i believe it was 50% of the workers in mexico..

so, it isn't just hitting the usa. this is definitely a global problem that my employer is dealing with. so, i don't feel it is all about work going out of our country. it doesn't help but, they feel it too..

 

[2goofycampers]

I know there is nothing I can say to help you and your family feel better. If you need to vent or talk we are here and on John's chat site for you.

 

[Flametamr]

Brad, I'm sorry that you personally are loosing your job. But the fact is no matter what I buy can't change that. Just like that fact that we have already given hundreds of billions to financial institutions and have nothing to show for it. The same thing will happen after we bail out the Big 3. They will talk a good game and squander the money just like they have all along. Then they will be back wanting more. Watch and see. Detroit management is stuck in the past and refuses to see the future. They have resisted changing things and fought legislation for years demanding higher mileage cars. Foreign companies have done nothing more than provide a quality products that people want. That is not unamerican. That is good business.

Has anyone thought about the fact that our next president is considering throwing 750 billion dollars after the 500 billion we have already wasted. There are only about 300 million people in America. That means the US Government could just deposit 4 million in each persons bank account and solve everything and still spend less money. There would be no more private debt. No instead were gonna give it to corporations who have already stolen us blind and went bankrupt doing so. Only in America does this make sense.

I see no difference in the Big 3 and the guy who owns the corner store. Everyone says we have to save corporations because they are so big and effect so many people. Well maybe that where the problem is. They are too big to manage themselves. Anyone in management knows it's easy to run things when business is good. It takes real talent to do it when it's bad. I think it's time these grossly over paid corporate giants fall on their own swords and stay out of my wallet.

 

[Judy Judy Judy]

Myth or not, too many jobs are being lost in this country due to companies sending jobs that were here to other countries. If Obama wants to tax something, tax the company until they quit sending work overseas. It's time America starts taking care of it's own people and not others. I'm not saying just make it all for us and be stingy, but we need stability here first.

Really this is how I also feel in a nut shell, we are so busy with everyone else around the world I think we should clear up some of our " at home " issues first!!!!!!!!!!

Brad, Godspeed my dh is facing the same problem, it's a very scary time for us!

 

[Gatordad]

The problem with giving Big 3 any money is that they have made no effort to change their business model. It's like $1500 of the price of each chevy goes to retirees. There is a unique socio-economic climate in Detroit/Michigan. Unfortunately, giving them money without asking them to change is like giving the town drunk a sawbuck, and he spends it on booze. In the morning, he's lived another day, and wasted $10 on booze with nothing to show for it.

Unfortunately, I say let them either change or fail.

RIP Milton Friedman.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Well, as you know, EVERYTHING you read on the internet and EVERYTHING you see and hear on the "NEWS" , truly is the gospel from the mouth of god
himself.

I can tell you this much,,
I am out of a job right now and it's the fault of space aliens and
Obama (even tho he hasn't taken office yet). I know this to be true because I read it somewhere. And from what I've read, neither of them have contributed squat to American companies, America, or anyother part of the world for that matter.

Thank you for letting me vent.




Oh,,, and would someone mind buying a new house so I'll have something to do.
Thanks

 

[des1954]

Frank...I'd buy a house from you, but my request to change my last name to "Bank" or "Auto" has gotten stuck in the quickmire of the legal system. I figured it would be relatively easy to change my last name & claim my share of the bail-out, but my lawyer charges $250 per minute to review my claim and that's after his paralegal has earned her $125 per minute. Therefore, all my money has been stuck in the legal system, which by the way, doesn't seem to be having any financial difficulty at all! Why's that?

Seriously folks, think about this.

Back in the 70's, the steel industry crumbled in the U.S. No bail-outs or assistance was offered to them. Now, we have the auto industry crumbling before our eyes. This country is becoming a sitting duck for a military invasion. Without our own steel and our own means of manufacturing weaponry, how will we protect ourselves? With the majority of banks being controlled by foreign investors, how will we fund the production of armament?

It's a very frightening thought when you expand the losses to their full ramifications.

BTW Brad, I'm very sorry to hear what is happening to you. It really personalizes the situation when you know someone who is losing their job in the auto industry.

 

[bradisgoofy]

It's nice to see my "friends" come to my defense and I know that my original post is from the Internet and "may" not have all the facts. But, I posted to show the DISboard community that ALL of us are effected by the BIG 3s problems not just those working directly for GM, Ford or Chrysler.

God Bless you for your good wishes to me and my family.