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So the Big three from Detroit (GM, Ford & Chrysler) decide rather than try to wiggle out from their ridiculous Union choke holds (and be like their auto competitors to the South that aren't going broke) they are going to ask old Uncle Sam (and the American People) for an enormous loan that they may (or may not) pay back. here is why we should send them packing back to Michigan, empty handed:
1. They are WAY behind the times as far as using cleaner, more efficient forms of fuel technologies.
2. They haven't kept up with other Automobile designers as far as advanced propulsion technologies. if you think this isn't important, ask yourself why no one isn't coming forward (investors) to 'rescue' these beloved old American companies? It's simple. they're not keeping up. They build old Grandma cars. Older people might like them, and people who like to drive gas guzzling tanks, but let's face it, they're terrible for the environment and other companies got that message about 20 years ago. Many have been building trucks and vans that are fuel efficient, cost effective and clean for many years now and their companies are in pretty good shape. (hint: they're not located anywhere near Michigan)
3. Allowing your companies to continue to be under the bullying force of a Union in this day and age when we have legislation and laws that protect Workers is no longer necessary and Unions are extremely damaging to both companies as well as communities. On average, they're costing $78 per hour for a job that is costing $50 per hour in the South and the contracts, alleged kickbacks and 'favors' and threats that permeate these relationships have threatened these companies and communities throughout Detroit for years. This has not created a healthy environment for the Auto industry and certainly has added to its' inevitable collapse of today.
4. The Union healthcare plan should go private - use a blueshield or bluecross plan with a Third party Administrator to Administrate the claims with the capability of each employee putting a portion of their paycheck pre-tax into a vehicle that pays for prescription drugs, co-pays, out of pocket costs or out of area costs with the total amounts able to be written off on the tax form each year. In addition, the total could also alter the tax bracket, ultimately lowering the employee's overall liability, which is a nice plus. The Union doesn't always offer this and they should not have a say. This should be set by federal law, not Union opinion. get rid of the Union. this can be done by court, set with the chapter 11.
I've given a few reasons above why the Courts should deny federal funding for the Big Three - but should also step in and Force the Unions to terminate all agreements with the Auto industries in Detroit. All of them. Bring in Experts, renegotiate all agreements, re-do them, so that the design, fuel injection capability, body size is more in keeping with what is happening with 'American Style' and not the style of the 70's. If I were their Attorney, I'd also explain to them that it's not a good idea to keep the current plan of rolling out a new Hummer in two years that gets six miles to the gallon. Who in the hell is going to drive that? What a dumb idea! But More importantly, I'd explain, a little more sternly to my clients, that when attending a Congressional hearing, with your hand out, FOR a hand out, it's not a good idea to show up in a private plane that is being funded by the American people.
It just doesn't look right. And why should WE pay for it??
Annie Hamilton
Annie Hamilton is a Constitutional Conservative that lives in Southern California. She loves to paint abstracts, write, compose music, hang out at the beach, swim and blog about what she calls the 'Lunatic Fringe' in today's politcal world. She loves people, cultures and opinions of all types and although Conservative is pretty open minded. She can reached at Annie.Hamilton@gmail.com |