Now let me get this right. General Motors has to lay off 10,000 more workers to comply with the governments requirements for "loans" to help the auto industry get back on their feet, to create new jobs? And this is announced on the same day the Senate passes President Obama's stimulus plan totally $838 billion? Is it just me or is there something radically wrong with this picture?
I'm going to try to set aside the fact that I am from Detroit and I love every stinking chink in its armour. My first thought is every action that has been taken by our elected officials in Washington has resulted in a loss of jobs in both the auto industry and in the Midwest. First it was the whole "private plane" thing. As a "condition" of the loans GM, Ford and Chrysler had to divest of their corporate jets. Because I work at the airport this little ego trip by Congress has or is going to cost about 200 people their jobs. Not only at the Big 3's flight operations but also pilots, flight crews, ground crews, uniform suppliers, maintenance suppliers, landscapers, not to mention about $600k in lost revenue to the airport, which probably will result in more worker lay-offs. I mean it's not like the Republicans and Democrats don't have travel perks, right? The U S Air Force shuttles Nancy Pelosi home every other week to California. Maybe since times are tough she ought to hope a commercial flight.
The other amazing thing is this deadline they have set for a new business pan and implementation of cuts. If it is not ready by a certain date the automakers have to seek bankruptcy protection. That's certainly going to save a bunch of jobs, huh? Oh and let's not forget the wage concessions to have UAW workers earn as much as their "Foreign" brothers. I think this is the place that I'd like to point out that members of the United States Congress earn far more than law makers in other countries, perhaps a pay cut is in order there too?
Oh and who in the heel are they kidding with a deadline on the "turn around" plan for the auto industry? Are these the same law makers that are bickering about how much "pork" one can stuff in a bill, and try to fool the public by calling it a "stimulus package"? And let us not forget our friends on Wall Street and all of those strings they've attached to that money. I did an experiment this month just because I was curious.
Citimortgage holds the mortagage on my house and I decided to be late this month for the first time in over 5 years. Now keep in mind this is the same Citimortgage that received the single largest chunk of the original $700 billion wall street give away. Anyway it took Citi 6 days before they emailed me and left a message on my phone reminding me I'm late. Six days! And when they did call it wasn't, are you having problems how can we help? It was pay the damn payment. But then they must probably be hurting still since all of my tax dollars went to help them buy Walkovia. So much for conditions.
One last thought on this whole topic. I am trying my best to see the "change" Obama so adeptly rammed down the public's throat during the election, but so far it looks like business as normal in Washington. Since I can't attend any of his 'town hall" meetings I thought I might pass along a suggestion for him to think about here.
Instead of this bill with the curly tail, lets try this: This is a stimulus package, right? All $838 billion worth of it is to get the economy rolling again. Instead of this bill just send a check, not a tax cut, to every man, woman and child in this country for $30,000 right now and two things will happen. First the economy will boom because people love to spend, unlike the banks that hoard the money you give them. And second, the total cost of this is less than that pork filled piece of crap you guys are trying to pass off as a stimulus package.
You do that, then I will believe you really mean to change things.
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