President-elect promised change, picking insiders

[Faustian]

True, the system is at fault, all are guilty as all are complicit.

 

 

Greed is good, right?

[itsmedave]

First, a handout is NOT a handout. If you go to the bank and get a loan...is it free money? Because that is what the automakers are about to get.

 

Just saying it's a bailout does not make it a bailout. Facts are something you conservatives should stop trying so hard to ignore.

 

That $68 an hour bullshit is exactly that...bullshit! The ones saying it know it's bullshit, but keep saying it. STOP IGNORING THE FACTS! That number is derived in part by counting all the retired workers (not executives...but actual workers) who collect a pension and adding their money to the paychecks of current workers. There isn't a single auto worker making $68 an hour. It's bullshit...and you know it. Stop stating it as fact. It makes everything else you say suspect. (Because maybe they do get paid too much, but why bother to consider the real point of your argument when you wrap it in lies.)

 

I agree with Suadam that it is a shame it has to come to this...but it has to come to this. Still, I would rather see money go to actual workers who produce an actual product than to investment bankers who produce nothing.

[cavanami]

The rule of thumb for what an employee cost and employer was to double his wages.

If he made $25/hr, then with benefits, he actually cost you $50/hr.

 

Benefits include; insurance, holiday pay, vacation pay, sick and personal days, workman's comp, money for retirement...it adds up quick!

 

The $68 cost if averaged over a 40 hour week, so when they work overtime, they cost their wages plus the workman's comp, that's it and a real savings for the company (in the short term).

 

One thing they forgot to mention, if they are paying $68/hr, how much profit does that worker generate? usually it is at least double that number!

[Bangkoktraveler]

HH, auto Unions should be done away with along with government employees' unions. Auto employees should be stripped of all of their benefits along side government employees who should have their benefits stripped from them also. We all know that the various governments are in trouble and that health insurance is one thing we can not afford for government employees and besides, by doing this, we will be more aligned with democracy instead of socialism, wouldn't you agree?

[Old Hippie]

What about the "junior"?

 

 

Will his Veep use his full name to reboot America's image among the Irish?

 

 

 

Knowing Biden, and I do, he'll just copy whatever Obama says...

[Old Hippie]

It's not the stock holders (who are losing money in these companies), it's the auto workers; read "United Auto Workers" union. All of the guarantees they have. Salaries + benefits total about $78/hour. WTF? And guess who gets the support of unions? Not the "GOPers" And guess who will save the jobs with taxpayer money? The Demoncrats. It's an overpriced job security bailout. Payback for union support and support in the future. Vote-buying. Pure and simple.

 

HH

 

 

What was your total (all in) hourly wage when you were working? how would you feel now if you former employer suddenly cut off your medical coverage? or cut your pension? this is part of what the unions are fighting for. The $78 you mentioned also includes payments to the pension fund which pays the already retired workers. Pension funds are almost all poorly run pyramid games which are killing every employer as people live longer. Even state, local and federal government pensions are going to hit a point where they just can't survive, then what?

 

Yes I agree, many auto workers get paid too much for too little, and that has to change. But the bigger picture has to be considered here. I am all for a restructuring of the "big 3" but just letting them die off is NOT an option here.

 

Free money? NO, or HELL NO!, but a restructuring plan as a condition of LOANS? yes.

[..]

Yes I agree, many auto workers get paid too much for too little, and that has to change.

C'mon OH. Do you feel you get paid too much for doing too little? Have you worked in an auto plant? I'd wager that 99.9% of the folks whinging about pay would not last a week in an auto plant at even $30/hour (which is much more than they actually make).

 

Why are you shitting on your fellow skilled labourors?

 

Cheers,

SD

[..]

HH, auto Unions should be done away with along with government employees' unions. Auto employees should be stripped of all of their benefits along side government employees who should have their benefits stripped from them also.

 

Unions are more necessary now than in the past 40 years as the rich are all about screwing the middle class moreso than ever. The Republic Windows thing in Chicago is just the most recent example: it consists of a) bank sitting on taxpayer bailout money supposed to be used to loan to biz; biz breaking laws and fucking employees. Without union support, they would have gotten away with it (as it is, the employees *still* did not get what was coming to them)!

 

Cheers,

SD

[chuckwoww]

Can't argue with that SD. Good to see the Republic Windows workers get their money. The bank and the owners may even get their knuckles rapped. Or more likely they'll start another company and pull the same trick.

[Steve]

Even state, local and federal government pensions are going to hit a point where they just can't survive, then what?

 

 

The state of California pension system called PERS needs its own bailout. It got caught up in the financial mess. The cities of Vallejo and Stockton may be in bankrupcty soon if they aren't already.