Pushing the blame on the work force
This is simply an opinion piece. My statement, in any way you wish to take it, is simply my statement and may or may not be a shared view within this blog.
(Taken in full context from Yahoo, and is a Politico cover. Take it with what ever grain of salt you have to)
As General Motors announced the temporary closure of 20 plants Friday, Republicans who fought a White House-backed bailout plan want Americans to blame the United Auto Workers and think about Rod Blagojevich.
The GOP strategy, previewed in an "action alert" sent by a Republican lobbyist and outlined by Republican aides, is based on the idea that the best defense is a good offense -- and the hope that the taint of the Illinois governor will rub off on organized labor.
"This is the Democrats' first opportunity to pay off organized labor after the election . . . a precursor to card check and other items," said the memo. "Republicans should stand firm and take their first shot against organized labor, instead of taking their first blow from it."
Hours after that memo was circulated Wednesday, five GOP senators went before TV cameras to declare their opposition to a $14 billion bailout for GM, Chrysler and Ford. The House approved the plan Wednesday night, but it died in the Senate Thursday night when only 10 Republican voted for it.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081213/pl_politico/16545;_ylt=AsjxbASnEsCWe.JlwUjyzfCyFz4D
(Full link for rest of the Story)
Now I didn't agree with Wall streets bailout but you had to know other people would be playing the bowl game. This little bit sort of distubed me with the fact that a auto bailout with more strings attached then a matrix scene had failed were as bank are able to walk up and get a blank check with little to no oversite.
I have tried to find a story were it show what I heard over the radio, and I am not to sure how people feel about Sen. Chris Dodd, but he shares about the same feeling I have about this. Utter nonsense. The fact that they can pass out money to AIG and banks with little to no care, but had to stop a auto bailout when the pay cuts were not coming fast enough for them?
They are trying to make America swallow a horse pill by saying that most autoworkers make 70+ dollars an hour. According to FactCheck.org its closer to 38 dollars with Binifits included.
(In full context from FactCheck.org)
|
Q: |
Do auto workers really make more than $70 per hour?
How much does a UAW member make at a domestic auto plant? Various sites have cited the figure at an average of seventy-three dollars an hour (The Heritage Foundation).
Keith Olbermann says that the figure is actually at twenty-eight before benefits, which only add ten dollars to the amount.
Other sources indicate that Toyota workers (who are not unionized) made more last year after profit sharing was calculated. So clear it up for us. What's the real bottom line? |
|
A: |
No. That figure is derived from what the auto companies pay in wages, health, retirement and other benefits, and includes the cost of providing benefits to retirees.
A report from the conservative Heritage Foundation, opposing the auto industry bailout, said that members of the United Auto Workers union "earn $75 an hour in wages and benefits - almost triple the earnings of the average private sector worker." Later in the report, it's phrased this way: "The vast majority of UAW workers in Detroit today still earn $75 an hour." |
http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/do_auto_workers_really_make_more_than.html
(Link to FactCheck were I pulled the info from. Again take with a grain of salt if you have to)
It may seam that the GOP, In my Opinion, is still trying to fight workers in America. Even though the auto workers may still earn more that avarage, it would still hurt witht he sudden drop in pay that the GOP want rather that the drop if needed aproach the DEM are taking.
I did a rant on this type of criticism yesterday.
Blame the health care system on the people who choose to get sick.
Blame the broken educational system on third graders who do not work hard enough on their homework.
Blame the hungry for hunger in America.
Blame legislation that helped poorer people buy homes for the current economic breakdown.
And blame the worker for unemployment.
Good post.
December 13, 2008 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you. I was trying to debunk the pay rate of the auto worker. Maybe someone can use it to pull the rug out for under a few wind bags.
December 13, 2008 12:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Joe B, Media Matters really got into this the past week. If its not up now, just hit their archives. They were really mad about this $75/hr lie.
December 13, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I didn't know it was on Media Matters but I am more worry about the direction this is heading than the lie.
I dont think the Workers of America should have to shoulder this. Its just wrong if this is truely an attack aginst labor then soon it will be just another outsourced job.
December 13, 2008 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well put.
December 13, 2008 5:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
No JoeB--your post is important. I just meant there are pages and pages written on mediamatters concerning the entire topic of how bad people are manipulating the facts through the media for political gain. You are not wasting my time.
It is here:
http://mediamatters.org/items/200812100005?f=h_top
I still cant figure out how to get this site to you but you know how to edit/copy and paste.
December 13, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you. I will finally get to check it out though
December 13, 2008 6:36 PM | Reply | Permalink