Two Pennies for GM
Auto manufacturing became a sideline business for GM decades ago when they discovered they could make more money financing their products than they could building their products.
The only entity concerned about the worker is the union. (And they aren't all that pure themselves.)
Yet, the government gave funds to GM to save their sinking ship. So, to me, this is just another bailout to a financial institution. The jobs they save won't be your own.
Unemployment in Michigan just hit 12%.
Maybe the government should give money to the unions instead so that it would directly benefit the people instead of corporations. This would be done in the form of retraining workers. (Thinking green here.) One thing I know about regular werkin' stiffs is they don't really care what they do, they'll learn the new ropes, just as long as they get paid a living wage.
Giving GM money will not create even one new job on an American assembly line. It won't create one new job on a foreign assembly line, either. IMHO.
The only entity concerned about the worker is the union. (And they aren't all that pure themselves.)
Yet, the government gave funds to GM to save their sinking ship. So, to me, this is just another bailout to a financial institution. The jobs they save won't be your own.
Unemployment in Michigan just hit 12%.
Maybe the government should give money to the unions instead so that it would directly benefit the people instead of corporations. This would be done in the form of retraining workers. (Thinking green here.) One thing I know about regular werkin' stiffs is they don't really care what they do, they'll learn the new ropes, just as long as they get paid a living wage.
Giving GM money will not create even one new job on an American assembly line. It won't create one new job on a foreign assembly line, either. IMHO.
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Agreed. So many people are screaming about how GM screws its workers by asking them to sacrifice so often -- but frankly, GM screws its workers the hardest when forcing talented, reliable people to build shit nobody wants. Just giving GM more money to float along per normal is pissing it down the drain, and hurting the workers long-term. They've already let go half their factory workforce since 2006 -- how many more would be drained away slowly in another 1, 2 years of incompetent and directionless management?
The big question to me is how many workers may have to sacrifice something short-term while the companies restructure (and, ideally, repurpose some divisions) vs. how many workers would get the long, slow goodbye by maintaining the status quo.
March 31, 2009 2:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm working on a blog about this and hope to post it later today.
April 1, 2009 7:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
General Bullmoose:
What's good for General Bullmoose
is what's good for the U.S.A.
And by Dow Jones and all their little averages,
Don't you forget it! Right, boys?
Right!
Three rousing rahs and a few hussahs
And a hip-hip-hip hooray
What's good for General Bullmoose
Is good for the U.S.A.
General Bullmoose:
Good. Then proceed as planned.
Right, boys?
Right!
He calls the shots
And he expects to keep it thataway
What's good for General Bullmoose
Is good for the U.S.A.
C
March 31, 2009 2:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Give the goddamn company (blesses himself) to the UAW and forget it.
March 31, 2009 8:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
How to Make a Green Engine? Detroit could build electric or solar cars. Yeah, the Unions could takeover and become a worker cooperative like the Hoedads were here in Oregon. I know a guy who was an original member – retired now. He had a great life working in the woods. They all (men and women) made a really good living. Might work for the autoworkers as well.
http://www2.eugeneweekly.com/2001/08_02_01/coverstory.html
March 31, 2009 10:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great link, stratofrog. I never would have run across that on my own. Migwetch (thanks).
More questions than answers about the fate of union autoworkers right now.
April 1, 2009 8:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
I have a better idea.
The Government could preserve every single manufacturing job in Detroit by stopping the bailout of the banks and using the money to buy every single car GM makes. Guaranteed.
Then they can create a ton of new jobs in the transportation and recycling industry by sending these cars for salvage. Think of all the "green" jobs!!!
And since, as you say, the "werkin' stiffs" don't really give a shit about what they're doing, everyone is happy in the end.
Waste of dollars, you say? No, no, no!
Just consider how many jobs you can create by redirecting the stimulus money that's only a fraction lower than the total GDP.
April 1, 2009 8:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
A bit off the topic of GM. But GE went "down" because they too made finance too large a part of their company.
At least here at TPM we're not making a cent! Just plugging away - learning and having fun!
April 1, 2009 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
We may not be making a cent, but when we comment, we donate two cents. Can we write off our TPM contributions?
April 1, 2009 2:11 PM | Reply | Permalink