GM touts electric-drive models amid bailout requests

By: kristimaggi I sent this to our US Reps and Senators by email. I strongly urge you to do the same if you agree. The possibility of losing their Power Positions in D.C. is the only thing that makes these out-of-touch ELITIST politicians LIKE PELOSI/REID listen. Dear XXXXXXX, I most strongly urge you to oppose any bailout for the auto industry. It is irresponsible and will not correct the problem: mainly, overinflated wages, benefits, and retiree plans. The "other" American auto industry is thriving with happy employees, efficient output, and quality products that American consumers are buying in record numbers. The Big Three are simply non-competitive in the global economy - or even in the domestic market! The Big Three will not disappear; they will either reorganize or be acquired by other automakers - there is simply too much brand value and infrastructure in place for them to disappear. But a bailout will only prolong their demise and cost us - and our children - billions. It is nothing more than pandering to the unions. Your support of a bailout will ensure my not supporting you in the next election and resolve me to work hard to see that you are replaced with someone who truly represents the desires of the majority. Please oppose any more bailouts for anyone!

This is way bigger than the union. This is about more than 3 million jobs in every state of the country. White collar jobs, hairdressers, restaurant employees, teachers, city workers, the list goes on and on. The ripple effect would be severe and sustained. Companies like GM, where I work (and I'm not in the union) were well underway with solid turnaround plans when the credit crisis hit. The sudden, extreme lack of available credit for consumers, combined with declining consumer confidence, is what brings us to Washington. GM's 2007 negotations with the UAW went a long way to close the wage gap with Toyota and Honda, and the UAW agreed yesterday to start negotiating again. We are making progress and doing what needs to be done. We've made mistakes, but we're well on our way to fixing them. Seriously, though, this is not a blue collar problem or a white collar problem. This is an American problem that affects us all.

They pay $10/month for full health care?! I pay $700. Where's my bailout? www.offeringcommonsense.blogspot.com

The transition plan should have started 8 years ago. If people really thought global warming was an issue Congress could have looked into starting the transition. The Big Three are just looking to government to replace all of their infrastructure that they should have been replacing in phases over the years and to relieve them of some of the Union back breaking negotiated entitlements that the Democrats in Congress have endorsed to get them reelected over the years (union IOU's). As a relative comparison, how much would it cost the Japanese to retool for electric cars? The Congress also needs to be looking at how to implement the support infrastructure, standardized exchangable batteries, disposal (environmental), maintenance (electric cars are dangerous to work on) and impacts on business processes (heavy load capabilities for just in time), cultural environments (urban and rural) and social systems (compacts vs luxury).