Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: mark higgins Location: reno,nv
on Dec 4, 2008 at 11:44 AM yeah the auto workers unions officials are corrupted. You dont think your govt. is corrupt? Dont you wish you could get paid when you are laid off? Republicans tell us constantly how bad government is,,, get elected, rape pillage, plunder, and steal total royal screw up of everything and then say SEE HOW BAD GOVERNMENT IS!!!! Then they say FREE MARKET, FREE MARKET,, until we need a trillion dollars for bailouts. The car companies are in trouble a large part due to the banking/credit crisis.[maybe they will tell us who shot kennedy]
UNIONS HELP WORKERS GET BETTER CONTRACTS AND LIVE BETTER LIVES!TOETHER WE BARGAIN,ALONE WE BEG! Posted by: wombat Location: Seattle
on Nov 21, 2008 at 11:34 PM Any money given to the Auto Makers is just a direct transfer from taxpayers into the pockets of the UAW and their workers. They have 12,000 laid off workers as Job Banks who are getting paid 90% of their wages to sit around playing cards, doing crossword puzzles and watching videos! Until these Job Banks disappear there should be no bailouts.
Oh, one more thing. They should tell what where Jimmy Hoffa is buried! Posted by: MARK HIGGINS Location: nevada
on Nov 20, 2008 at 12:44 PM all you union busters are petty ,jealous whiners. union members used to be shot by law enforcement and federal troops. pull your head out. together we bargain ,alone we beg. do you act5ually believe that employers care about their workers. pull your head out Posted by: Colin Location: Alberta
on Nov 19, 2008 at 06:47 PM Its interesting to see how every person becomes an economist once there are financial problems. Obviously it makes sense for the governemtn to 'bail out' the auto industry not because of the execs and such but because of all the people who work in the INDUSTRY, if 3 major auto manufacturers go out of business who's going to buy the car parts? its the same companies that make the parts of GM Chrysler Toyota Honda ect ect and if a large chunk of their business is gone how are they going to continue to operate? It seems that people dont want to waste their tax money on bailing out jobs... they just want to spend it on unemployment benefits to a huge part of the population... Posted by: Obama Snake Oil Co Location: Washington
on Nov 19, 2008 at 08:47 AM Alex, there is a lot of influence by the mafia and also both houses. I agree, they should let them file bankruptcy and clean house and start over. It is the UAW that has made them non-competitive in the auto industry. But, everyone is on the take, even management and government. Yesterday the CEOs of all the big 3 said they would work for a dollar, what about bonuses? Doesn't sound like they deserve one having run the corportations dry of money. Posted by: Doug Location: Greenville
on Nov 18, 2008 at 06:00 PM People, hold on tight to your money if you can. You are not going to believe what's going to happen in the next year or two. Cash will be KING. Posted by: Alex Location: Vanceboro
on Nov 18, 2008 at 04:26 PM This is nothing but a free check to the mafia influences United Auto Workers union. If this passes i will never buy another American car Posted by: Dwayne Location: Greenville
on Nov 18, 2008 at 01:23 PM Alan Mullally CEO GM (probably mispelled) will go before Congress begging for his handout. Let's see, take his salary x just one year plus bonus and divide it out to his employees (you know/spread the wealth around) and it would help tremendously. I do not support any kind of bailout for our car makers. Ford also offers same sex benefits to their employees. Think about that next time you make your Expedition payment. Posted by: American Biker Location: Eastern Nc
on Nov 18, 2008 at 11:28 AM Here's the plan. The government just purchase every "LEGAL" American family an automobile. This gets the ball rolling. Helps out the people that need help, keeps all auto manufacturers employees employed to the hilt,thus keeps americans working, and then the companies can't just squander the money like AIG is doing. WOW.... I should have ran for president. " A Car In Every Garage..... Posted by: Obama Snake Oil Co Location: Washington
on Nov 18, 2008 at 10:26 AM Used to be that the CEO of a company was salaried based on merit and performance. Well, the CEO of GM as an example, makes 250 million per year plus bonus. Now you want us to bail out this company? The only way to do that unfortunitely, is bust the union, restructure management and salary based on this; ready; performance or lack of it. No wonder they are not making money on cars, its all going to unions and management in excessive amounts. Well, I am not paying it and I don't support it until they explain to "us" the American taxpayer, what are you going to do to clean up GM, Ford and Chrysler? How are you going to cut overhead? How will you pay the money back? What will you focus on in the future to get your corporations back in the black, not what you will do to status quo. We bailed out a corrupt banking institution and now we "have to" do the same here? Then some want these companies to have strings attached by government? Since when did an attorney know about cars? Posted by: I Agree with Who's Fault??? Location: Belhaven
on Nov 18, 2008 at 09:43 AM Whose Fault is exactly right. I agree with him 100%. These companies are not longer competative. OK, if they go under the whole country will suffer. Well guess, what sometimes in life bad things happen. Everyone suffers at some point in their life. Our standard of living is artificially high. Even the poorest have cell phones, computers, TV's etc. We are way overdue for a major readjustment. It's going to happen and congress sticking band aids on the problem isn't going to stop it. It will come eventually. Think you have money? No you don't. You have bytes of information in a computer that you can trade for stuff. That's it. The only intrinsic wealth you have is what you can put your hands on. Food, skills, knowledge, tools, they are true wealth. Get ready for a rough ride, because a major adjustment in how we live is on the way. Congress propping up noncompetative industries with imaginary money won't stop it either. Posted by: Leslie Location: Pitt County
on Nov 18, 2008 at 07:49 AM These companies should NOT be given a blank check. Some kind of accountability should be made before one penny is given to anyone.This money should also have to be paid back in some reasonable time frame. How about the CEO's taking a pay cut as well? This really makes my blood boil! Posted by: Wickerman Location: Beulaville
on Nov 18, 2008 at 06:59 AM Well if you took the 10billon$ aday that is being spend over seas to fight a war that we cant win,and put it to work here i think we might could get back on track.The big three should bail them selfs out.this isnt the frist time they have been in trouble and they pulled through but even if the goverment helps them no one is going to rush out to buy a new car and there, they would go again down the same road.cut your loses down size and move on. Posted by: BC Location: Wilmington
on Nov 18, 2008 at 06:37 AM If we continue to "bail-out" everyone in trouble, then who will "bail-out" the United States when we go broke. At nine trillion and counting I'm not sure how much longer we have or who has enough money to do it. I vote for GM to go to Chapter 11, reorganize itself and proceed with producing cars and trucks our citizens want and need. Remember what happened to American Motors and all their crappy cars? People quit buying them. Why do you think people are buying Hondas and Toyotas? Refer to Consumer Reports magazine and see who gets a "thumbs up or thumbs down". GM will prosper when it gets a handle on costs and figures out that it can fail too. Chapter 11 folks, that's the answer for GM. Posted by: Auto Exec Location: Kinston
on Nov 18, 2008 at 12:34 AM Also,recently there were 3 dealerships that just went out of business in eastern NC.One was GM,One was Mazda/Suzuki,and one was Nissan. In the triangle a Ford store and Honda went away. I have 2 import dealers that are really in trouble right now! You don't realize that the big three has financial implications for the automotive industry as a whole and the United States!!Jobs,Jobs, Jobs Posted by: Auto Exec Location: Kinston
on Nov 18, 2008 at 12:31 AM Just remember the lost jobs, tax increases, SS contributions & all sharholders.Also it is idiotic to give the Japs the bailout money.Are you crazy?Do you think they are going to put that money back into the US economy? Think about the Yen/$$$ and labor cost?I was with Honda for 6 years and they built the Marysville Oh plant so we could say that they were built in the US for sales.This will not only hurt us but Globally as well.The big 3 sells cars all over the world.Go to that website and look at the Autonews in Europe and China.As for natural mechanics working on foreign cars ask a tech can he work on a Honda in his back yard. Talk about high tech!You also need special tools to work on them.Ask your natural mech.if he has them and if he doesn't what do they cost?You mentioned the factory makes you bring it back to them, well Jap cars are the worst.Lots of them have onboard computers that can only be reset by the dealer. Hope I have the stats the avg car loan on imports is 6yrs now
http://www.autonews.com/ Posted by: Auto Exec Location: Part 1
on Nov 18, 2008 at 12:01 AM You just don't get it.Remember the country used to say as GM goes so does the country.The UAW is not going anywhere.You don't realize the Japs are are not going to just open new plants up. Honda sales are down 29%Toyota 32%,Nissan 41%What do you think the Japs are going to do with their prices on cars,parts and serv if the US competition goes away? Yen/$$$ Do you know what the law of supply and demand is?What about TRW,C&A,BorgWarner,Federal Mogul? These are just a few suppliers for the automotive industry will go under. Lots!! of people would lose their jobs and livilhoods! The bailout needs to happen along with the Obama reorganization with their emp packages to get expenses under control. That along with the bailout of cash will help. They are priced out of the market because GM for example adds almost $3000 to the cost of every car for company emp packages because of the UAW.Take control,but you will not eliminate the UAW.They have too many allies in Wash.For more go to this link
http://www.autonews.com/ Posted by: No Bail OUT Location: Kinston
on Nov 17, 2008 at 07:30 PM The bailout will not do much of anything. Yes it MIGHT help for a few months but the big 3 will still go under. Reason is simple, Japan makes better cars for many reasons. This is a great example for everyone that thinks unions are good for anything besides taking YOUR money. I say let them go under until someone else can start over without unions involved and make good quality cars. bottom line is that even if the gov. bails them out, the american consumer will continue to buy great quality cars from japan. maybe we should consider giving the bailout money to Toyota, Handa or Nissan to build their cars here in the us. that would help american jobs... Posted by: WHOS FAULT??? Location: GREENVILLE
on Nov 17, 2008 at 05:25 PM i agree... Its true the board execs stopped making quality cars so they can send you back to the dealership every 5 years to buy a new car, because your 5 year old car is now a piece of crap. Then to make it even worse, they made the engine systems complicated so that even a natural mechanic would have to take the car back to the dealership just to get it fixed... then they made up these crappy warranty packages that are worse than insurance companies because they look for any reason to say your car is not covered... it goes on and on.. and even tho its sad to say.. all of these horrible practices keep people employed because if everyone drove cars that lasted 20 years like back in the day, the big 3 would have been out of business a long time ago...! Posted by: No USA Cars on Nov 17, 2008 at 03:51 PM I would not own an American made piece of garbage if my life depended on it. The cars reflect this country. They have to be the biggest and the best. Everyone else is inferior. Such arrogance. Posted by: WOLFGANG Location: CHOCOWINITY,NC
on Nov 17, 2008 at 03:16 PM Barack Obama’s victory in the presidential race will give labor unions and the embattled U.S. auto industry a strong ally in the White House. The Auto Unions have Collective Bargining Agreements with. Gm , Chrysler & Ford. Posted by: XXX Location: Greenville
on Nov 17, 2008 at 01:09 PM I drive a GM product (98 truck). Solid vehicle, no trouble, and would own another; but not until the unions are GONE. I will drive and repair the one I have until it becomes too expensive to repair, then I'll buy new. But, it won't be a vehicle made with union labor. There are several other makes of trucks made here in America whose employees are not overpaid union workers. Yes I understand the negative chain of events that would occur if they recieved no bailout money. Let them restructure and the situation should go back to normal, provided the unions are removed or their power limited to zero. And you CAN get rid of the unions; just buy an automobile from a nonunion manufacturer, easy as that. The big 3 will have to conform or vanish completely. Not even the GREAT obama(pro,pro union) could prevent it from happening. I say conform or die. NO UNIONS & NO BAILOUT. Posted by: whatever Location: pitt
on Nov 17, 2008 at 12:42 PM people don't realize it will cost the government and the tax payer more if they don't bail them out - unemployment of all the jobs lost, retirement, social security - you think it's bad now and plus within the next couple of years - these same companies aren't paying any taxes into the government due to the loss - we're in this for the long run people - we say we don't have money now - it's going to be worst next year if we bail them out or not. Personally, I would like to keep my warranty on my car and for people to at least have jobs. As for unions - if ran correctly can be a good thing.... but not my area of expertise so I don't have much to say about it. Posted by: hope Location: NC
on Nov 17, 2008 at 12:22 PM Your industry is only part of the problem. As your product goes exponentially up in price, people are forced to stretch payments upwards of 6 years. Meanwhile, the paint pops off, while it rattles & knocks down the road, often spewing a black plume of smoke out the back pipes, etc... Instead of investing your energies on that technology you made mention of, you have confounded the product, already on the market, to the point that it has to be hooked to the factory computer to be fixed. AND we all know they have to be fixed a lot more these days. Wonder how many backyard mechanics were put out of business with this brilliant idea. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that your current business as usual approach ain't workin' "exec". Maybe you need to be in the board room. Posted by: Thomas Location: Chocowinity,NC
on Nov 17, 2008 at 12:20 PM Auto Exec Is Right. Hi Hope & Betty I was a Union Rep for the IBEW In New Jersey. The Knights of Labor was founded in the United States in 1869. They opposed child labor and demanded the eight-hour day. They hoped their union would give workers “a proper share of the wealth they create,” more free time, and generally more benefits. Police,Teachers,Actors Pilots,Doctors, Electric Workers Communication Workers, Carpenters. Ect. I only have 1000 words. The bottom line is Auto Exec is right a company canot just get rid of a Union in the USA this is not Nazi Germany. If want to find out more info on US Labor Laws there is a lot of info online ,and plenty of books on the subject. Lets pray we get out of this economic mess soon,and everybody keeps there job what ever you do to provide for your family. Have a blessed day. Posted by: hope Location: NC
on Nov 17, 2008 at 11:27 AM Auto exec, You mean like we might end up in a depression or something, and have to cut our car in half, and hook it to a mule? I was also against the bank bailout. GET RID OF THE UNION AND BUILD A QUALITY PRODUCT! Actually, as dim-witted as I am, I believe this country would once again rise up out of the ashes that your big 3 helped to create. It is sad when anyone loses their job, yet many of your union employees realize how they have been ripping us off. They may even be willing to take a cut in pay. I believe there are innovative people in this country that would step up and make a better product. Some of your future out of work ex-union guys & gals could easily be trained to make a quality product I am sure. Posted by: betty Location: cortland
on Nov 17, 2008 at 10:19 AM I agree with most of you, get rid of the unions. They have taking down our country long enough. Sure it's good pay & benefits but we all should have the same pay & benefits in this country. Some think they are better because they work for a union shop. They put their pants on just like the rest of us.
Now for A Class Tech's comment. I thought that was what was going on and now I know it is. The big ones rip you off all the time. Now lets let them go down. See how they like it.
As for Auto Exec's comment: yours don't hold any wait now does it?
Down with the 3 big ones. Posted by: Auto Exec Location: Eastern NC
on Nov 17, 2008 at 09:13 AM Hope,I am not here to argue with you but it is obvious that you have not given this seroius thought. The UAW is not going away. Now if the Govt steps in and they can restructure their union packages like was said on 60 mins. then this will free up working capital and also keep the research going for the alternative fuel based cars. Also, what kind of car do you drive? One of my car dealers told me this Saturday. Guess what happens if the big three go under?If they go under, YOU HAVE NO FACTORY WARRANTY Repeat NO WARRANTY. All car dealerships will become pre owned stores to keep the doors open. What about parts? What about diagnostic equipment? What are we going to do when they break down? Are you going to fix it?How is that going to look to our foreign auto makers? You can say get rid of the UAW,good luck. It's clear that you are obtuse on this subj.and don't know the full economic impact this would have on the US.We can do w/o some things but not transit,this impacts the whole US Posted by: A Class Tech Location: Triad
on Nov 17, 2008 at 09:00 AM I left the dealerships in 1993. I saw then that the big three were building gas guzzeling hunks of junk and I knew that if the economy went south, no one could afford to drive a super-sized SUV. I was laughed at and told I was crazy but I learned ALL vehicle makes and models and I know for a fact that one don't need dealership training, everything you need to know to repair any problems is available if you just look past your nose. The big three have built the wrong line of cars and flooded them with fancy gadgets that work just a few months after the warrenty expires. I saw a single mother of three having to wrap her children up in blankets because the parts to fix the fancy HVAC system costs almost 500.00 I have saw families having to park a Chrysler minivan because even the dealership could not get the vehicle to pass inspection and no problems were apparent. Take your medicine Auto Execs, you can find work in agriculture, at least your work will be worthwhile! Posted by: hope Location: NC
on Nov 17, 2008 at 08:17 AM Auto Exec. Get rid of the union and build a better product. It's not my responsibility to carry you. As for the sky is falling bit, maybe that is exactly what this country needs. Bad business practices have critically wounded this country, & the auto industry, the big 3 that you mentioned, have blood on their hands. Posted by: Auto Exec. Location: Eastern NC/KC
on Nov 16, 2008 at 11:38 PM People you need to get a grip. Do you know how many jobs are tied to the automotive industry. Look at how many plants around the US not just Detroit make items for automobiles. Yes the big three need to be restructured. The UAW has had a stronghold on the industry long enough. Hope Starbucks, Krispy Kreme doesn't drive this economy. When we had the first gulf war and after 911 it was the auto industry that kept us afloat. If we don't help GM, Ford, and Chrysler you need to think hard about how many jobs will be lost not just in Detroit but all over the country. I saw a dealership close that had to give walking papers to 86 people. That is just one car dealership. Who employs more people, AIG or GM, Chrysler, and Ford. Besides the democrats are going to raise taxes anyway, why not put it to good use instead of giving it to people that are not going to try to get a job anyway. Posted by: auto tech Location: eastern nc
on Nov 16, 2008 at 11:06 PM I am very worried about my job I work in the auto industry it is already bad enough that i have not been busy sept of 07 dealerships are closeing left and right. people that actually drive to work might been in trouble if the get in a wreck or have a parts failure. with nobody working due to no help from our "great" grovment me and over million repair shop will close. people are not going to walk 10 to 100 miles to get to work Posted by: hope Location: NC
on Nov 16, 2008 at 10:14 PM Why is it the tax payers responsibility to bail out the auto industry? Who's next, Starbucks, Krispy Kreme? STOP THE MADNESS! Get rid of the unions and focus on a quality product. Posted by: ??? Location: NC
on Nov 16, 2008 at 09:00 PM Wow, what a story.You really had my interest and then suddenly it was over. This may set a record for the shortest story ever on WITN. Posted by: Jessica Location: Robersonville
on Nov 16, 2008 at 09:00 PM The first Bailout shouldn't have happened in the first place. To bail out an industry that is strictly a luxury would put our country into further debt. I am quite suprised that the US flag doesn't have any sponser patches from other nations. What's next America? Posted by: Ken Location: Greenville
on Nov 16, 2008 at 08:38 PM If the government can bail out the airline industry years ago and now the banks, I see no reason why the auto makers should not. There should be restrictions attached.
Save
Email
Print
37 comments
