Big 3 bailout folds

[Genenco]

Agreed but they dont have the pull they had up through the 80's. This present GM mess proves it.
also people only name the big ones. Why not name all the thousands of little factories who have no union, never had a union all over the country who close up shop. .

Funny you should say that. I work for a company which shut its doors in Seattle due to the workers joining a union. I have no details in regards to what was demanded, only they did shut the doors and have said to us "Go union and then file for unemployment" I do think there's the problem of "Profit Margin" however, this might be due to them wanting to keep their nice salaries.

But again, that can be due to costs of operations, payroll, credit (We heard about Republic Windows for sure) that can cause a shut down also. Unions (As we agree) are not the ONLY reason companies are having tough times.

What about the trucking companies over the last 2 years of business with gasoline so high. They made nothing and were losing because they had to pay for their own diesel. What pull did the unions have on that? .

Unions obviously cannot control everything. If the trucking companies didn't add the "Tariff" to their shipping costs, then they ideed go down. I took a taxi a few times, when gas was outrageous, they added a "Pickup increase" of $2 due to high gas cost. I'm sure trucking companies did the same.

Now bus companies were a little different in that they were able to pay up to two years in advance for gasoline, so they did not get hurt like truckers did.

That makes me wonder, how can they do that, when trucking companies (And individuals) cannot?

[cooper_monica]

everybody is getting bailed out but the consumers

I understand that the auto makers are feeling the crunch. But are there anyone out there not looking at the clues or the facts oddly at the end of the year.

1. Gas has went down generously, which was the one thing that affected the high prices that we all went thru the last several years.

2. Diesel was at an ultimate high which caused the crunch that alot of the auto makers were feelings since it takes a truck, plane, or rail to distribute both auto parts and cars throughout the us.

3. They claim to be going thru so much yet they are still flying their corporate jets across the us. Not one of the big three, sat down and looked at their spending, and tried to cut other things out of the budget to save themselves so why should the public.

4. The big 3 need a bailout, but do u see semi truck dealers and manufacturers asking for money surely you can see the difference in price. The average semi costs 50 to 100 thousand dollars, i dont see peterbilt and freightliner at the governments knees asking for money.

5. If the government is going to bail out the big 3 what would you as a consumer that pays taxes would have wanted for your assistance. The government should ask the big three to allow to consumers to turn in old cars and offer a good trade in rate for them to increase buyer spending. Maybe extend warranties, or cover minor repairs for a discounted rate. For them to extend their hand back to the people who helped them.

In my opinion im tired of seeing a government that says its broke, clearing the debt of millionaires left and right and not assisting the very people that helped them stay afloat. A recession is not the worst thing in the world its a time, to sort out the should have and have nots. The people the business that managed their finances will stay afloat. The business that don't will open the door to others that would never have been in business for themselves. Small business will be booming in a few years, small people will be doing big things. And I love every minute of it. I can't wait till things get back in order.

[Bandit]

That makes me wonder, how can they do that, when trucking companies (And individuals) cannot?

I am not sure.

I will bet that the bus companies can buy oil staright away and store that oil for themselves. What do you think? & then use it, refine it, move it around as they need it. Buses like planes always fill up at the same hub. I have never seen a city bus at a regular gas station yet.

Trucks, limos etc. are never absolutely sure where they will be all the time and have to fill up as they need it & wherever they are at the time they are on empty.

[Genenco]

4. The big 3 need a bailout, but do u see semi truck dealers and manufacturers asking for money surely you can see the difference in price. The average semi costs 50 to 100 thousand dollars, i dont see peterbilt and freightliner at the governments knees asking for money.

Freightliner announced they are closing the Portland, OR plant in 2010.

Kenworth has been in Mexico for some time...

Peterbuilt also has a Mexico plant.

While doing some quick search, came across a VERY interesting thing about Mexico and what the government is doing to ENCOURAGE US companies to move there...

http://www.siteselection.com/issues/2007/sep/naReports/

[Bandit]

and to top all that off, they have a Union they are proud of and have not had any strikes. Imagine that.

Losing 25 people a week in NC at one truck per day? hmmm sounds like the northeast & midwest allover again, this time in the south.

That also reminds me these small towns & talk of going to community money. Forget the US dollar & uncle sams tax system, government with unfair trade has taken too much & wasted it.