Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan  I voted other, because I think the government should only fund very progressive projects.
Basically, I think they should bail out GM's electric car division, but not all of GM. |
Thats an interesting vote.
I'm conflicted about this mainly because I'm old enough to recall the debates, protests, violence and other tactics used on both sides during the reign of powerful unions. Today the UAW is really just a shell of what it used to be.
I've always been a blue collar thinker and believed in unions. Unions represented the tough hard working guy simply attempting to do what had to be done to support a family. I'm also keenly aware that managers and executives were only doing the same, I've been both a worker and a manager. Too bad we have this adversarial mindset here in the U.S.. I'm as guilty as any.
It is after all mostly the expenses of having to honor those union contracts from the 60's, 70's and 80's that is so heavy on these companies, isn't it? Are they violating the spirit of their contract by not remaining solvent? No matter what, doesn't the government pick up the tab for some of the still due benefits to their retirees?
Theres no question that the American auto industry has been guilty of not being forward looking enough, but conservatism has been the behavior of America when it comes to change. We do everything at a snails pace.