A perspective from some where near the bottom

[MotleyCH]

Up until a few months ago, sales are up for GM and Ford from previous years. But the growth per operating cost is keeping them from making profits.

[Steve]

uneducated

typo

[Getback]

Twas Franklin.  The quote has showed up in many variants, but my favorite is "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."

and Franklin is right.

[AWwrgwy]

Maybe when Auto executives go to Washington to beg for money, they should fly coach.

I found this interesting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3MWKBD3Iu4&eurl=http://benbittrolff.blogspot.com/2008/11/how-to-not-beg-for-billions-from.html

Like the host says, two flights could equal a workers yearly salary.



wrongway

[Simaril]

Up until a few months ago, sales are up for GM and Ford from previous years. But the growth per operating cost is keeping them from making profits.

Which is why "bailing them out" is likely futile. They're selling more and still losing money --

Without major restructuring -- which should NOT start with line workers, IMHO, but should emphasize operational and managerial overhead first (since that's where the fat is, and where the problem came from in the first place!)

The managers are the ones who ignored the oncoming train, watching the companies bleed billions away.

[Nwbie]

I guess i should have been a little more specific, the credit wings of the auto industry are the really desperate ones. If they do not get the same deal the other financial institutions are getting, then yes, the auto industry is screwed. i am amazed at how many people are ignorant to the amount of industry and service business that are connected to the big 3 auto industry. it is estimated that one in ten jobs in America are reliant on the industry. that means up to and not including the already almost 8% unemployment figures now, an additional potential of 8% unenployment. This affects all parts of the World economy.

[MotleyCH]

I'm sure executive spending is out of control, but maybe a $2-3 an hour pay cut for all employees would save the company(s).

Better to make a little less, than be out of a job.

[FLOTSOM]

I'm sure executive spending is out of control, but maybe a $2-3 an hour pay cut for all employees would save the company(s).

Better to make a little less, than be out of a job.

unfortunately Motley most of the workers involved are union workers. the unions would much rather bleed a company dry and then fight over the scraps of the carcass that remains than to give up even a penny for the greater good of the company and its survival.

i would be willing to bet that if the big three get government bail out money the first thing they will have to do is deal with the various unions involved and give them some form of raise or payoff to prevent them from striking. the unions wont allow the companies to get a shot in the arm without taking their piece of the pie also.

FLOTSOM

[Lye-El]

I'm sure executive spending is out of control, but maybe a $2-3 an hour pay cut for all employees would save the company(s).

Better to make a little less, than be out of a job.

Make it percentage cut...across the board for every employee of every entity the government is bailing out. The bigger the bailout the bigger percentage their pay is cut is.