Jp2's Comments (46)

“By the way, "maddow" is not the news. I think we have found the problem.”

“I would love nothing more. Although a bit unfair wouldn't you say? Two that speak truth, and two that spew lies?...hmmmmmmm.......seriously???? Maddow take Beck apart ??? Would she "quirk" him to death?”

“Anyone against free trade is a dinosaur. Protectionism is for neanderthals.

Does Jp2 stand for Jurassic Park 2 ?”

“where do you get this crap? did you add in all the perks that congress gets???”

“YOU answered you own question. The 14-16 MILLION HIGH PAYING, or better yet the 14-16 million over paid and under productive UNION JOBS making our products uncompetitive. THE word FEATHERBEDDING IS UNIONISM AT IT BEST.”

“Free trade is not always good nor always bad.

Fair trade should be the goal but even that wouldn't change the fact that GM is screwed. They can't hold onto their market share here.”

“I agree with your point about the federal government policies. But both parties have had a hand in the globalization that has taken place. And I am not "you people who want to blame the unions". Hell, if I was a union boss, I would try to get whatever I could for the workers, as long as the management was willing to pay it. Furthermore, leave the unions out of this completely for the moment. It is the job of the people running the company to be able to see five, ten, even more years down the road to ensure long-term financial viability. And in that, the executives clearly failed. They have known for years that they were losing market share, that their salaries and benefits (and executive compensation) were totally out of whack with what they would be able to pay and still make a profit. The execs should have told the unions, "look, we want to work with you.... but at this rate, our numbers are unsustainable." Again, it is not the Federal Gov's job to prop up poorly run companies, and in this case, I would say that GM falls squarely into that category.”

“I agree but, they wouldn't get anything done. Washington isn't welcoming to the average citizen.”

“Ted Kennedy is the biggest healthcare advocate around, and he is a millionaire and has not had to struggle to pay bills. You do not have to be poor or middle class to understand what they are going through.”

“I would like this too.
This would be a dream.
A 'Joe the Plumber" type with brains.
Even a Jesse Ventura with a few more brains.

But it doesn't seem likely.
I have read the list that Paterson was considering before the entrance of Kennedy into the fold.
None of them are inspiring figures.

We are going to have to choose between people who either are millionaires, or who can raise about $30,000,000. Them's the facts. Of the possibilities before us, I think Kennedy is the closest we can get to a true breath of fresh air.

Now if we can only get Ralph Nader to be taken seriously by the so-called progressive left that has done nothing but trash him, we might eventually have a chance to elect the kind of people we would like - people who run on their ideas. But until then, I'll take Kennedy over the alternatives without hesitation.”

“You mean you did not approve of Millionaire Clinton in the seat?”

“Actually I'm for saving the automakers but first they must have a viable business plan. The current UAW contract makes that impossible. It must be scrapped ASAP or the automakers will keep losing money and coming back to Washington for more handouts.”

“Average pay in a non-UAW auto company is $46-47 dollars an hour. Average pay in a UAW auto company is $65 and hour. That would be a 20 dollar difference, not a 3-3.50 difference.

Of course, average figures are not a really good comparison in these cases, because we don't know if either case has a large proportion of extraordinarily high or low pay that is changing the stats.”

“I don't see your point. First of all, if you're somehow reading my response and thinking I'm a Republican, you're waaaayyy off base. Also, why would you respond to my comment with some indication that because I don't support the current bailout scheme that I somehow I'm anti-veteran or something else. And you're right, Iraq has been an indescribable fleecing of the taxpayer (among other egregious wrongs), but what does that have to do with this?”

“Right, Jp2! It's way more than 3 million people who rely on the auto industry. Way, way more. Michigan will be totally devastated. Think ten million people whose livelihood will be ruined, and a good many who, in spite of savings and planning for catastrophe--will never be able to withstand what is going to happen. Small businesses of all types rely on the auto industry, and they will be doomed. Where will all these people find work, find medical insurance, find the means to keep their homes and businesses from going into foreclosure? This is a catastrophe in the making, and those who will suffer most are just everyday people, hard working family people. Maybe they own a flower shop. Or a restaurant. Or any number of businesses that will crash and burn when no one can afford to patronize them.

This is not just about the AUTO industry, nor the UAW This is about the entire population of a state. How many will be able to hold on? Where will all these people go when Michigan is a graveyard?”

“You are mistaken or have been misled.
If you worked in the Auto industry you would know better than to post such things. There are certain components that are imported from outside the NAFTA group and this is the case with all North American automotive companies.
The vast majority in dollars and parts are built by suppliers located within the NAFTA goup of countries. [U.S.,Mexico,Canada]
Don't take my word for it, ask the Production control department at your local assembly plant where the parts come from.”

“They shut down one factory in the U.S. and that was in California. No auto manufacturer in their right mind should be operating in California. Those jobs went to Mexico and has been part of a plan that is at least 5 years old. I worked for Toyota 4 years ago when they began moving the production. So don't act like this is because of the economy because it is not. The other plant they own have temporarily stopped production but those workers are still being trained and paid. Production resumed last month so maybe you should try getting up to date on your reading.”

“That's not even remotely accurate. Here are some quick examples:

2007 REVENUE
GM -- $181 Billion
WalMart -- $374 Billion
Exxon -- $390 Billion

2006 REVENUE
GM -- $205 Billion
WalMart -- $344 Billion
Exxon -- $365 Billion”