Boycott Alabama: Joe Babiasz, Big Three Sympathizer Angry At Sen. Shelby, Starts Site

WWJ Newsradio 950 :

Joe Babiasz says he's sick of the 'circus of the Senate hearings'--and he wants 49 states and the District of Columbia to boycott the state of Alabama. Why? The Huntington Woods man says he's tired of the criticism of the Big 3 by Alabama Republican Senator Richard Shelby.

So, he's set up a website to further his cause: www.boycottalabamanow.com

Babiasz, who retired from General Motors after 34 years, told WWJ his boycott is for "any travel into the state, or the purchase of anything that's produced within the state of Alabama."

Read the whole story: WWJ Newsradio 950

Comments

[wicket0605]

I am quite curious why Mr. Shelby is going after the northern states like he is. It is like he is on some kind of quest to destroy our main industries. I think at this point everyone knows how much money he has supported going to the foreign car companies. It is unbelievable how he gets this grin on his face whenever he talks about not supporting our American Car Companies. One would have to wonder if it has something to do with his Great Great Grandfather Captain William Houston Shelby who (I believe) served in Company F, 31st Alabama Infantry of the Southern States of America during the Civil War. I have a question for you Mr. Shelby, is this a slap to the Northern States because you are angry about the War? Are we in another North vs. the South? You don't seem to understand that if you bring the American Car Companies to their knees you will bring the entire country to our knees. I wonder if your buddies in the banking companies will be able to keep you afloat. I can not believe that any American can look the other way while our American Auto Industry crumbles. Maybe if you are so thrilled with the foreign car companies you probably should move there and give up your American Citizenship. I am sure you would not live in the mansion on the hill and you certainly would not be able to talk about their main industries.

[jhink465]

As far as I am concerned the Southern states are a nest of traitors and always have been. After we whipped their treasonous asses in the Civil War we should have kept our foot on their red necks. Bind up the wounds my ass. You meant well Abe but treasonous dogs have it in their genes and are never to be trusted.

[wizkid4freewage]

It’s that kind of attitude that started the Civil War.

That was then this is now and it’s about the survival of all of us.

I don’t think the union has helped the auto industry at all. I as the rest of America don’t know all the facts. But I do have common since and I know that all any employer should be forced to pay for labor is just that, the people that do the work, a fair amount for the productivity and not union personnel and job banks (money for no work). If this money will help to make the big 3 work with all involved to bring back the profit and American pride then I’m all for it. If it’s going to be the same old business as usual then I’m not.

[Tessaprn]

ROLL TIDE and kiss my Southern redneck butt. By the way, Abe was a Republican.

[wattsdem]

You are generalizing an entire state because of Shelby? It seems to me you are more backward and ignorant then the supposed red necks you refer to. I gurantee from the ignorant comment that you are not sitting high on the educated pool of thought. While you criticize the entire south, which I do not agree with southrn politics at all, but there are other people in thisstate. I graduated from Vandy with a 3.8 how about you. Do not assume anything that you have no evidence to prove.

[noUAWinAL]

You whipped our asses? How old are you dude? At least 160 years old if you faught in the civil war. Drive wheel chair, rascal or whatever down here and try putting your foot on somebodys neck without breaking your hip.

[UnknownSoldier]

Shelby must not realize that if the Big 3 go down there will be no more NASCAR in Alabama.

[sparkyth67]

maybe they need to start putting their money into running a company instead of sponsoring races

[outragged]

Does this governor realize how many people from Michigan travel to Gulf Shores every spring. I have for many years and the Michigan lisence plates are everywhere. Wonder if they all went somewhere else or couldn't afford to visit how his state may suffer. I personally have relatives in Alabama some who are retired GM workers. In general there is alot of people in Alabama with ties to Michigan. Good luck with your own, how don't you understand the massive trickle effect.

[wakeupYawl]

Hey Outragged number one he's not a gov, he's a senator.If your so outragged by this senator not wanting to give the big three billions of dollars to cause all of our taxes to go up so you can drive your over priced cars to our beautiful state for vacation, when theres people who live here that can't even afford to go to gulf shores for vac, then tough crap!!!Why don't you people put your efforts towards your gov,who's got your property taxes so high you need 28 or 30 dollars an hour plus benies putting on radio int's,or door panels or even sweeping floors. Get real you guy's have rode the gravey train to long and it scares the hell out of you putting you where weve always been hard working Americans not card playing UAW workers? and ya know that's the truth I also have relitives in Mich, that laughed about playing when times was good

[Tessaprn]

Shelby is a Senator. He is doing what his voters want done. My mom retired from Chrysler, did not finish the 9th grade, at retirement was earning $45/hr. has excellent benefits, still goes to Tunica every weekend, gets pissed because $5 copay is increased to $10. That is ridiculous. We have elderly who cannot afford medication, food, housing, and bare essentials. Sorry folks, I am a college graduate, MSN degree. I not only do not make that amount of salary, my benefits are very expensive. The only retirement I will have will be what's left in my 401(k), Get rid of the unions and I will be more than happy to see the Big 3 get a little help. You want all of the taxpayers to be glad to use tax money that they paid into the system to help others? Then get rid of the CEO's who bring in their big salaries. By the way, who is suppose to buy these cars and trucks? No one can tell you where the money for the bank bailouts went. People are still losing their homes, certainly cannot afford new cars and trucks. You don't want to come to Alabama, then don't come. For the poster who indicated that without tourist and the Big 3 NASCAR would not exist. I suggest you read up on the history of NASCAR and Ford seems to being doing alright without any bailout. Tell me how many people from Michigan actually travel to Gulf Shores?

[UnknownSoldier]

Doesn't one of those "A"s in NASCAR stand for AMERICAN, and until the season before last no FOREIGN car makers were allowed in NASCAR. Toyota being allowed in because they build cars in America.

As far as tourism goes people are free to travel where ever they want.

[got2Bkidding]

Yep,

We need to get to a point where CEO's get richer and richer, and everyone else is working for minimum wage, with no health care or retirememt benefits. That'll show those darn unions!

[trinity]

Just because you don't have good benefits with your college education, you take it out on those who do like your mother? Get a grip! If these right-to-work state leaders had their way, we'd all be making 7.00/hr with no benefits at all. Everyone has a right to decent benefits and if you work hard for many years, devoted to a company, you have the right to a decent pension.

I have double Masters degrees and I work as a teacher...­pay isn't great. My husband who never went to college makes double than I do as a union electrician, and thank goodness for that. I am certainly not jealous because he makes more than me.

It is interesting though seeing all the union electricians from Right to Work states flocking to our Pro-union state (I've seen dozens of Texas plates driving around just this week) because our wages are $10 - $15/hr MORE than what they can get in their beloved anti-union state.

[sparkyth67]

tessa is exactly right I do avionics work on helicopters for an army contractor and I don't make as much as uaw workers and I also work for a union and if a helicopter breaks it is not like they can pull off the road.

[wattsdem]

Governor Riley is for the bailout and so am I. I am not a republican and I believe in helping the auto inustry. So, before people go on a mission to hurt the state get the facts and do not generalize the entire state from the actions of one misguided senator. People assume people in the south are backwards but it would seem that ignorance is not just inthe south.

[Nofuzzydreams]

This guy typifies the problem in Detroit. He believes Detroit makes cars comparable to the Japanese and the Germans. This is exactly the problem with the Detroit cars makers and his attitude shows. Nothing will change because they believe nothing fundametally needs to change. It is all the consumers fault that people are not buying Detroit cars. We have heard this for 30 years. Only a catastrophe like a bankruptcy can fix this attitude where you fire management, union and start over.

Ford may be the exception. Since they hired Mullaly from Boeing, he basically fired the people who think Detroit way and ordered that Ford just build their European cars here. No expensive redesigns necessary. He also shrunk Ford and took out a line of credit at the right time. But he will also fail in the long run until UAW is dismantled. That why Mullaly also needs to take Ford to bankruptcy to void the union contracts like the Airlines did.

[UnknownSoldier]

Germany and Japan don't make the same quality of Light Trucks that the Big 3 make. Yes, they are not as competitve with Germany and Japan when it comes to cars, but if they go out of business there will be no light trucks built either.

In China they want the Silverado and the F-150, and real deal Harley's not the knock offs. IMO Detriot just needs to forget about making cars and stick to the trucks. Make them better and more taylored to specific markets.

[XLintLuvR]

Not for nothing, but have you had your head in the sand for the last year or so? The problem with the big 3 is that people can't afford to drive the trucks that they've been pumping out once gasoline tops $3 a gallon. They've been forcefeeding ads for Pickups and SUVs for the last few years. They put all their money on those two things and when gas got that high, people couldn't afford to fuel them. Sticking to trucks is what got them in the problems they're in. When's the last time you've seen a commercial for a Mustang?

[KillTheMessenger]

Try this

http://managingthedragon.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/chinese-truck.jpgg"

with an F-150. But call the ambulance and the tow truck before you put it in first gear.

[sparkyth67]

back in 93 I had an 88 toyota pickup when an 18 wheeler ran into the rear end of it and I still drove it home so maybe they don't make as good of a vehicle as the big 3

[Jonni Rae]

It is kind of crazy to boycott Alabama. But it is a good idea for American workers, especially union workers, to start standing up for themselves and get the truth out to the public. I am appreciative of all the facts presented in the comments. I am happy about what happened in Chicago, it is a first step. I would be up for joinging some kind of movement or signing some kind of petition that deals with the importance of union workers, and American-made products. I have had a Toyota Tercel, and now have a Ford Focus (bought them both used). I don't see much difference, except the Focus is stronger. I don't believe the bs about foreign cars being better, maybe that was true fifteen years ago, but not now.

[Nofuzzydreams]

American car makers make good cars in Europe and Asia and compete vigorously there. They are also profitable there because there is no UAW. No one will buy a Focus for a higher price, thanks to UAW and bloated management salaries even if it has the same quality. Plus you may not thinks Japanese cars have a higher quality but that is at least the perception created by years of bad products from Detroit. And it will take years of building very good cars to change that and bring people to their showrooms.

[KillTheMessenger]

There is no UAW in Germany? Of course not. Instead you got these:

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kategorie:Gewerkschaft_(Deutschland)

And you do not want to have to deal with these guys:

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/IG_Metall

The German Metal Workers Union packs a nasty punch. In comparison the UAW is like kindergarten.

[OhgReaTone]

Senator Shelby is wrong - and so is Barney Frank. They are all missing the point of supply and demand - they are missing the point of capitalism. ..........­...

http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/12/10/why-government-management-of-auto-companies-will-not-work/

[Hawka]

Dude, free markets run a muck, time we started curbing already.

[1murillo]

ORT,
"They are all missing the point of supply and demand - they are missing the point of capitalism­."

Supply and demand is not the point of capitalism. Getting more money is the point of capitalism.

By your logic: we should allow any worker from around the world into the US; remove govt regulations and investment from all media; end all govt aid to energy companies, hospitals, universities, states, cities, transportation entities (including highways, local traffic concerns, driving laws, etc.), port investment, armies, law enforcement, courts, national parks and forests, international aid; immediately remove ourselves from international organizations; while we remove every bit of government investment that exists.

Of course, we'd take all locks and security from all military (including nuclear) weapons, understanding that the fastest and strongest (or those currently living the closest) will get the nukes.

If your response to my 'suggestion' is, "Yes, that's what we should do" then I disagree.

(This might save a lot of money - in the short run - but) after the ensuing deaths and destruction there wouldn't be many people around to enjoy life.

It's combining the worst parts of libertarianism and laissez faire. But at least we'd have 'true' capitalism (sarcasm), for a short while anyway.

[DeliBoy]

Ulterior motive = Richard Shelby

Alabama is home of Hyundai, Honda and Mercedes plants and all of their transplant suppliers. The guy is a crook.

[Nofuzzydreams]

They are all successful companies for the right reason and Shelby wants Detroit to be like them. Make management lean and dismantle UAW through bankruptcy.

[got2Bkidding]

They are succesful because Japan pays them a subsidy, and so did Alabama. They are successful because they have no legacy expenses.

Everyone here seems more than willing to allow the UAW to be busted. They make too much money? Are you kidding?

Isn't it the American dream to have a job that has benefits and offers retirement security? Wouldn't we like to see a single income be able to provide for a family? Wouldn't we like to see the ability to have a parent at home for the kids, if they choose to run the family that way?

Do we really want everyone to have to work two jobs, just to make ends meet? C'mon folks, do you really want to work for what an illegal immigrant will work for? If we keep going down this road, that's where we're going to end up. For they will be competing for our jobs even more. If we just allow the pricing of labor to be pushed further and further down.

[Tessaprn]

Richard Shelby is not a crook. Hyundai, Honda, and Mercedes plants do not let the UAW tell them how to run their businesses. Their employees make a decent wage and have healthcare benefits.

[mommadona]

Shelby is the designated UnionBuster.

Alabama is on the list of the top 10 most corrupt state governments in the US.

Shelby talks out of the side of his mouth.
Literally.

Shelby is a SCAB.

Alabama's poverty rate 6th worst in country
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080826/alabamas-poverty-rate-6th-worst-in-country.htm

Alabama Power Seen as the Worst Polluter of Hazardous Substances
http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/features/hazardous-substances-act-toxic.html

Alabama Roads Among Nation’s Worst
http://www.nbc13.com/vtm/news/fact_finder/article/fact_finder_alabama_roads_among_nations_worst/20908/

[wattsdem]

You are correct about Shelby and Alabama but Boycott Alabama is dumb. People are generalize all the people in this state and not everybody shares the view of Shelby. People always assume Alabama is backwards, but this train of thought is backwards do not attack a whole state for the action of one. I am educated and have all my teeth so do not assume we all support shelby.

[jeffrey678]

Just close any military bases in their states!!! That would change their minds.

[wakeupYawl]

Then who would defend our country the UAW

[fairplay500]

What, Michigan owns the military? Ban the the UAW and you will get sympathy..­.

[Discomustachio]

Best to just let all of "Jesusland" succeed from the Union.

[uglicoyote]

That would be "secede" genius.

[ErnestineBass]

It's hard to take someone seriously when they can't spell, isn't it? LOL

[wakeupYawl]

Hey disco christ is the same there as he is here he gave us all freewill but it looks like the CEO's and UAW got some of yours.

[BlueZoo]

I am not a fan of Senator Shelby and serious question his reasons for railing against the Big3. Could it possibly be the fact that Alabama has car plants which ALL belong to Japanese and European entities? His motives are extremely suspect, in my opinion.

[HowietheScreamer]

You have to understand Shelby is in the pocket of European big business. Mercedes, you know... the guys who date raped Chrysler and EADS. Shelby is just another bought and paid for mouthpiece.

[Nofuzzydreams]

Nobody raped Chrysler - they raped themselves.

[1murillo]

Oh, and then there's the BMW factory in one of the Carolinas. Of course it's non-unionized.

Sanford is one of Shelby's partners in shortsightedness and stupidity. They act like they're concerned about America, but they are representing their states (that's what Senators should do) at the expense of the country (that's not what Senators are supposed to do).

You've seen that the Shelby/Ses­sions/Sanf­ord/Rove clique is the GOP slice moving further right in trying to re-define their party.

Also, Jan. 6 is fast rushing upon them, they're trying to use whatever power they have before their numbers change drastically.

[Wiserone]

OF COURSE!! That's the reason why Shelby is against bailing out the Big 3. His state has received over $400 Million from the foreign auto manufacturers in Alabama.

[wakeupYawl]

Hey they all looked in your state too but your gov. tried to stick to them the way she sticks it to you high TAXES

[zorak1704]

And I wonder how much of it went to his campaign?

[Tessaprn]

Did you know that Chrysler is part of a German car maker?

[sonoffestus]

What's there boycott from Alabama, pork rinds and turkey calls? Oh, Toyota....­..mine was built in Canada.

[lskeith]

Boycotting Alabama (Peanuts? Corn? World-Class Medical Care?), in my opinion, that is an inappropriate response to the issue. Appropriate responses are: (1) Move the "Big Three" manufacturers to Alabama and let them benefit from our workers and their work ethic or (2) Make the changes in the Rust Belt to make the profit margins on the Big Three's cars adequate.

I know the gentleman who has the website is retired GM, but it is the contracts that GM agreed to over many years that are keeping the profit margins for their vehicles below cost of production.

His anger is mis-directed, and I am hearing my Alabama citizens say on the radio--"no more Fords, Chevy, or Dodges for me! He is making them angry, when he ought to be making the Big Three's profit margins better. If he persists in "Boycott Alabama", the citizens here will not look to the Big Three. We are proud of Honda, Hyundai, and Mercedes.

[lj9283]

If the Big 3 could get paid off by the State of Alabama and Mississippi for the same amount that they paid for the Mercedes and Hyndai jobs (about $120,000 per job in tax breaks and incentives).

240,000 jobs x $120,000 per job....why that 's about $28 Billion. Guess we don't have to worry Mississippi and Alabama can bail out the Auto Industry.

(Detroit Three employed 239,341 hourly and salary workers in the United States at the end of 2007.)

BTW: If the General Motors shuts down Alabama loses 21,000 jobs directly, and 76,000 jobs if the entire domestic auto industry fails.

http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2008/12/08/daily8.html

[plaidsportcoat]

Yes, the work ethic built on slavery. It must be quite a work ethic. The example of all those hundreds of years of completely unpaid slaves with their wonderful choice of working or getting murdered by whippings.
"Shelby's position is not merely that of a fiscal conservative. His home state has provided millions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies to lure Honda, Hyundai, and Mercedes-Benz to build huge plants there. Indeed, some critics believe that without the incentives from Alabama - and similar tax breaks given by a number of other states to a dozen foreign automakers - the Detroit companies would not need a federal bailout."

[Tessaprn]

Excuse me, but do some American History reading. Slavery was in the North too. Again, let me say that Chrysler was purchased by a foreign car maker.

[fairplay500]

And yours built on GREED? It must be quite a work ethic... Go build reliable cars.. and NO corp jets... while begging

[UnknownSoldier]

Let them stay in Alabama for 30 years, and they will have the same legacy worker issues the Big 3 have or they we have cars with the quality of Mickey D's hamburger.

[Tessaprn]

Yes, I like the way you talk! But can the masses understand the logic you just made?

[FogBelter]

You want to save American industries? It's called a Tariff.

Also, let workers unionize and if foreign owned subsidiaries based in the US don't want to accept that then put a Tariff on their products as though they were built abroad. Allowing products into the United States consumer market is a choice not a mandate, and when you protect the American Worker you protect the American Consumer.

[Chbronze]

Look how tariffs increased the length of the great depression, Europe emerged well before we did for reasons including free trade. The American worker will be protected by building a product which people want at a price the American consumer is willing to pay.

[1murillo]

Tariffs are a poor - but visible! - economic response.

If we set up walls to other countries, then we start a 'trade war,' we're not in a position to win it.

When the economy is strong we don't want tariffs because we want world products to sell here while we sell ours elsewhere.

Think of the steel tariff (2002-2003, yes GWB) meant to protect our industry. We lost miserably.

The EU announced its own tariffs and subsequently won a WTO decision saying the US violated its own tariff commitments. (!)

Tariffs might sound good to some, but like 'let the 3 fail, burn, and prove to us that capitalism is still around,' many of these problems need more attention than the 30 seconds alarming newscast usually gives.

[Rosey]

Gobble gobble Shelby....­. you hubris is a joke. It is a wonder that you were elected...­..but then your state is last in just about every category. Concentrate on bettering life for the folks of Alabama, not on your petty jealousies.

[ErnestineBass]

Typical NitwitNation.

[Icantbelieveher]

#43 in education
#2 for most obese people
#5 in most STDs
#43 in health

Great state!!! And they underpay their autoworkers!!!

[Wiserone]

Why does the "Deliverance" song keep playing in my head now after reading your post.....

[fairplay500]

But we are not broke like you...
and look at your Stats: Crime rate:
http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?city=Detroit&state=MI

Most dangerous State:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21870766/

To quote Forbes:

Top on our list? Detroit. The Motor City experienced 418 cases of murder and non-negligent manslaughter in 2006. That's 47.3 murders per every 100,000 residents. Detroit also ranked high for violent crime (No. 2), robbery (No. 4) and forcible rape (No. 12).

To put it in perspective: Detroit's murder rate is more than 8% higher than the country's second most murderous city, Baltimore, and eight times that of the least murderous metro. More people were murdered in Detroit than in San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas and San Jose combined--and each one of those cities has a bigger population than Detroit.

http://www.forbes.com/2007/11/08/murder-city-danger-forbeslife-cx_de_1108murder.html

I feel safer here in Alabama than crime ridden Detroit..

[never bought foreign guy]

One important thing you Southern traitors and kin of Richard Shelby have yet failed to realize is the State of Michigan sits smack dab in the middle of the largest fresh water "puddle" on the planet with much of the Great Lakes water in our control and possession. Ever think Richie, there could be a world fresh water shortage???? And do you think your arrogance has made any friends with those of us who control the spigot? While southerners bicker over who owns what trickle of a stream and want to change state borders to screw each other out of water rights, we have plenty. I doubt there will be any legislation soon in Michigan to channel any your way. So sit on your arragant behind and keep thinking Alabama is the center of existence while the state bakes each summer and I go off to my beach house and enjoy my Michigan fresh water. By the way, if you'd like to negotiate for some, I already have a water czar in mind (does Rick Wagoner ring your bell?). Tariff per bottle is $1K!!
Better start charging those foreign manufactures who you shack up with a little more rent so you can at least stave off dehydration and grow a crop or two, not to mention get more than your occasional weekly shower. And Mr. Shelby, please wipe that sorry**s smirk off your face when you think you are in the country spotlight with your "littleman" control syndrome.

[darthdarcy]

The world's largest fresh water lake inland sea in fact if in Russia as I understand it..

[darthdarcy]

Lake Baikal...S­iberia..

http://www.thercg.org/youth/odds/0501-afalb.html

Lot's of unique facts about this huge lake containing 20% of the world's fresh water...

[never bought foreign guy]

darth, is Russia going to channel water to you for you to drink? This is not a who is always right kind of competition. I am soooooooo sorry you know Russia better than I know Michigan. WGAF