Comments on: Majority oppose taxpayer aid for automakers, poll finds

By: Lizz

Lizz — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:15:48 +0000

Why can't the Big 3 borrow money from the bank?
Since they have aplan on how to survive or even to be profitable.

Govt has bailed out the banks and it is the banks' turn to help the auto industry.

By: JS

JS — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:15:10 +0000

Ask automakers if they be willing to take half paid cut to keep the company alive. If not send them back home with their hands empty. After all, this is a time for all of us to make sacrifice.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:05:59 +0000

Perhaps us taxpayers would support the bailout if there
was confidence the automakers could honestly change the
incompetent way they've done business for the last what
40 years...telling the American consumers that they offered
vehicles they say we said we wanted. The reality is they
just marketed to the American consumer as such while they
were covertly in bed with the oil industry, getting corporate
tax shields, other bailouts (yes, we remember) and handsomely
paying their top executives from the once high profit margins.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:02:38 +0000

Yes to a bail out but make the UAW make DEEP concessions to put them in line with other workers and MANDATE that they make acceptable cars that will sustain their businesses after they have paid us back.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:34:42 +0000

Let's get something straight: THEIR CARS SUCK. Perhaps this is the only thing that truly needs to be considered.

By: Gene

Gene — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:33:30 +0000

I think they should get aid.. but not the kind they're asking for.

Let them file Bankruptcy, re-organize, slim down... start again with a leaner and hungrier company... then use the money they're asking for to invest in research and development of more fuel efficient vehicles. It's a win/win situation... they get their money.. but that money goes to securing an energy future and the future of those companies, as opposed to paying for all their mistakes.

By: Vic Siesto

Vic Siesto — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:29:32 +0000

I can not belive the senate and or the house is trying to tell sombody,actually anybody how to run a business.Look how they run the goverment(health care,social security).thats just two of the examples.Were in trouble when the tail is wagging the dog!!!!!

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:27:01 +0000

"Oh you Americans! You're so gullible! We'll spoon feed you socialism until you're Communists and don't even know it. We'll never have to fire a shot!" Nikita Khrushchev

By: Adam Smyth

Adam Smyth — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:23:29 +0000

maybe....just maybe the problem is workers who make 55 bucks an hour and who strike because they arent making 60 bucks an hour with 4 weeks of paid vacation double overtime and benefits many would kill for, to sort bolts and weld....

Years ago when I worked at a gas station I had tons of these guys come in and complain about their wages and benefits....while I stood behind a counter at a job I could get shot at...and made 7.25 an hour.

Seriously wanna blame someone...blame the Unions for too much of a good thing.

Conversely, paying CEOs 40 million after you fire them isnt smart either...not by a long shot. Corruption and stupidity in business is not something to be rewarded with a golden parachute...this situation has alot of factors, maybe if the workers took a cut on wages and their over developed since of intitlement and the ceos stopped buying 50000 dollar umbrella stands we could rebuild our economy a bit faster and better.

By: Jason Tabrys

Jason Tabrys — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:16:32 +0000

I understand that the C.E.O.'s of the big 3 coming to DC with a tin cup in hand as they stepped off private jets is bad on the surface, but for the most part it is unimportant. If these companies fail those 3 executives will be just fine, with millions tucked away, but almost 3 million workers, 9-5, lunchpale workers who scrape to get by working the line, those are the true victims of inaction, and focusing the story anywhere but on there needs is criminal. Yes the automakers need to demonstrate reform and a new business plan, but we can't get sidetracked by grandstanding politicians and semantics, real people, people who wont be able to easily dust themselves up are the ones in the firing line, the blame game can start along with the punishment one they are safe.

By: brian

brian — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:15:18 +0000

anyone who does not think that the big 3 failing would effect them obivously has no concept of economics.

By: Richard Larson

Richard Larson — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:00:36 +0000

Sad to say, but most of the people who respond to this proposition do not consider the main point of the situation. This country should never allow the auto industry to fail. A total failure would immediately wipe out all of the anti-depression measures the government has taken in the past 3 months. The country, and the world would, within six months de in a deep depression that would be disastrous because this country would very possibly be unable to defend itself in the case of a national emergency and could very well mean the loss of up to 10 million jobs within six months. Once it is gone, it is gone forever and we would then be at the mercy of the Japanese and Germans for all our transportation needs. Also, There is nothing that says the auto industry in these countries will survive a deep, worldwide depression.

Maintaining an auto industry is a matter of national defence. This is the only remaining heavy industry capable of producing the necessary materials to conduct a major war if necessary.

By: ladymary

ladymary — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:59:41 +0000

I read somewhere that $700 billion divided by the number of TAXPAYERS in this country comes to roughly $250K each. Why not forget about bailing everyone out and give this cash to the TAXPAYERS? They will pay their bills, buy houses, cars, etc and get this economy going again. 2/3 of our economy is consumer driven..put the TAXPAYERS in the drivers seat and let us start driving!!!!!

By: TERRY

TERRY — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:57:27 +0000

IF WE ARE GOING TO BAILOUT MORTAGAGE COMPANIES FOR BAD DECISION THEY MADE WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BAIL OUT THE MOST IMPORTANT WORKFORCE OF OUR COUNTRY.

By: LIVE AND LET DIE

LIVE AND LET DIE — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:54:24 +0000

THERE IS NO AMOUNT OF MONEY WHICH WILL SAVE THIS SHAM OF A INDUSTRY,FOUR DECADES OF GREED AND EXCESS,WILL NOT BE CORRECTED BY ANY AMOUNT. THE CULTURE WHICH HAS PREVAILED SINCE THE SIXTIES WILL NO LONGER FLY, IN THE FACE OF WORLD COMPETITION.REAL CHANGE LIKE STRONG MEDICINE OFTEN HURTS DEEPLY.....YOU MAY OR MAY NOT MAKE IT, INACTION IS A DEATH WISH,LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY!

By: Peter (CA)

Peter (CA) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:49:50 +0000

I think the Big 3 blew it over and over. When they knew oil was going to be a problem, esepcially after 9/1, they gave us the Excursion and the Hummer. The government, which should have pushed for higher mileage, turned a blind eye. The CEO's should suffer for the decisions they made.

Problem is, they won't. The workers for the Big 3 and all of the companies down the line that supply them will suffer. Further, if the Big 3 go down, so does Michigan, and maybe Ohio and Indiana. Tough decision to make.

By: hollyglightly123

hollyglightly123 — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:49:18 +0000

No bail out. NO BAIL OUT! The airlines survived bankruptcy and so can the auto industry. It's not enough to own banks and their corrupt securitization process, now we have to own car manufacturers who make cars that we the consumers don't even BUY!? They should've been smarter a long time ago.

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:48:41 +0000

I dont understand why we don't simply put mandates on the Auto companies in exchange for our money. Let's demand that every new car model be hybrid-electric by 2012. Let's demand that our money be used to pay for fuel efficiency research. Let's demand that no new SUVs are created and that the Hummer brand is removed. Let's put the auto companies to work building electric buses and alternative vehicles for our cities and municipalities. WHY ARENT WE TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY SERIOUSLY???? It's infuriating. We want the auto companies to change, we need to save our environment, and we need to stop relying on Middle Eastern and foreign oil. What better opportunity than now?

By: deb

deb — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:41:35 +0000

Something does need to be done because if the whole auto industry collapses there will just be millions MORE people out of work. The CEOs and other high management people need to cut out their BONUSES! This is where all the money goes! It happens in ALL big businesses and it's really pathetic. I work for a large business and see all of the waste that goes on. Management doesn't know what it's doing most of the time. We have managers who "travel" all of the time for pointless meetings, mainly, from my point of view, to get frequent flyer miles! I don't know what the answer is but the auto industry needs to prove that they will do the right thing, create eco friendly cars, etc. We definitely need to quit sending jobs to other countries. Who is going to support all of these out of work people! The whole thing is just a dominio effect! The young kids graduating college won't have any jobs waiting for them and seniors won't be able to retire when they should. I'm really afraid for what's to come in the near future. I feel for Obama. He has a monumental job ahead of him for which he will be blamed, unjustly, when things aren't "fixed" in 6 months! Bush has just ruined our great country.

By: Voter

Voter — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:38:31 +0000

We have to help them because 1 in 10 American jobs is riding on their success, even with bankruptcy, which has the advantage of wiping out the obscene retirement benefits, huge salaries for white collar and greed laden union deals.

I say Chapter 11 to free them from the contracts, then oversee the restructuring.

You can make a profit building cars in America. I didn't see Honda or Toyota, both made right here, at the table. Why? Because they pay their NON-union workforce well, give them substantial, but not obscene, benefits and offer retirees a fair package. And they don't pay themselves $21 million a year – Mulally's salary at Ford.

Time to go back to "go."

By: FreeNLovIt

FreeNLovIt — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:36:43 +0000

You know, the auto industry actually worked hard so I do want to give them a chance, but Wall St really DOESNT deserve bailouts. They sit around and cheat on the innocent.

By: Roll Congress

Roll Congress — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:28:30 +0000

The big three are not the problem, congress is the problem. The big three are supposed to present a plan for a 25 billion dollar loan, and the executives are supposed to work for $1. What about congress? How about they give us a plan to stop the out of control spending, trillion dollar debts, and a "viable" budget. Oh, and in the meantime they can work for $1 a year, until then. How about that?

By: Will 18E

Will 18E — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:25:18 +0000

Surprise. Yet accouding to Legilative services for the congress 92% of email sent to the hill also apposed the $700B . So it does not matter, congress wil do what it wants to do, not what the voters want congress to do.

By: Ernie

Ernie — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:21:52 +0000

Obama voted for the big bailout that taxpayers have to pay for but he is giving us a little tax cut. He is out to screw us folks. It's just a slow one so we don't notice it so much.

By: cmc

cmc — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:18:14 +0000

Everthing from the auto industry to Mickey's D's will go down the tubes. It's not just them, but entire businesses will loose, think about that, there is more to this than the auto industry. If and when that happens there wil be no more bloggers because no one will be able to afford it. For once I wish people would think about their families and grand-kids instead of their own interest, that what is wrong with this world, too much of the "I ME" syndrome.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:14:02 +0000

When average citizens get into trouble because of poor money
managment, they may have to file for chapter 11, after doing so
they are forced to see just how the mistakes they made,brought
them to that condition, then if they have learned from these
mistakes they change the way they manage their finances.

These Auto Makers must experience the sum total of all the past years when they should of been making cars that were very good on gas, or whatever else was out there, such as alternate energy.

They should not be bailed out !!!!! They will survive and do just fine !

They need to change their very bad ways !!!

Rewarding them with huge sums of money is not right at all, it
teaches them nothing ! And they have a lot to learn !

By: cmc

cmc — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:13:50 +0000

HEY LIP,just sit at an intersection and watch the vehicles that you see. Count how many are big SUV'S trucks etc. Tell me why Detroit built them? Oh yeah, people wanted "them". WE did it, they built what the majority of people wanted, so now people start to complain, doesn't make sense to me.

By: email4kh

email4kh — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:13:50 +0000

The vast majority of voters opposed the bailout on the FIRST vote, but your legislators didn't care.
If you subsequently voted to re-elect them, this is YOUR fault.

By: Lori In DFW, Texas

Lori In DFW, Texas — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:10:39 +0000

Bye-Bye, "Big Three"! Every American car I've purchased in the past 30 years I've hated and traded in to get a Japanese car. They failed to see the writing on the wall and kept building those monstrosities with horrific gas mileage. They did not keep current with the times and this is why they're ready to go bust. Good riddance. I am sorry about the jobs lost, but why prop up something unsustainable? I'm tired of my tax dollars going for companies who can't pull their heads out of their rears but are more than willing to line up at the tax trough when it looks like the party's over and they don't want it to be. Let the CEOs wait in the unemployment line like so many of us are doing. I'm still ticked-off about the Wall Street Bailout. NO MORE MONEY FOR INCOMPETENCE!!!!!

By: Precious Coker, NY

Precious Coker, NY — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:09:41 +0000

Screw this auto makers!!!

They had all the time in the world to make auto vehicles for the 21st century but their conivance with "oil" crooks would not allow them.

Where is LEE IACORCA? Please guys read this able American's book and you will see – what is plaguing the auto industry is not new and it is absolutely avoidable.

Once more, screw these guys!!!!

By: hugh ~ california

hugh ~ california — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:09:18 +0000

If the auto-industry gets help, their CEOs need to bankrupt their salaries first.

By: The car is dead

The car is dead — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:01:55 +0000

The gasoline powered automobile is dead. We should as much bail these guys out as bail out the manual typewriter manufacturers. Guess what, typewriter manufacturers moved from manual, to electric, to computer manufacturers without cent ONE from the taxpayer. These idiots have refused to make even the slightest adjustment for safety or energy efficiency without government forcing them to. I say good riddance.

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:01:38 +0000

How many people opposed the financial bailouts though? 80%? 85%?

Take the money back from the banks, they're not using as it was intended. Give it to Detroit with managerial and green-development strings.

By: Noelle, MT

Noelle, MT — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:58:36 +0000

Greedy men who want more money because they were too selfish to think of anyone but themselves. And now WE have to pay for it. Congress should be ashamed of themselves.

They should get zip, nada, nothing. Let the auto companies go out of business and come back with fair prices and better cars. It's called the free market. Why should we have to pay for a free market?

By: Joe Deitering Anoka, Minn.

Joe Deitering Anoka, Minn. — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:56:07 +0000

It doesn't matter what the "majority" thinks. The unions run the Big 3 and God help anyone who doesn't vote for the bailout. So Pelosi, Reid and the rest can stop posturing. You are going to pay up, come hell or high water and Mr. Obama is in the mix. He is so lucky that he is not in office till Jan. Right now, he can throw up his hands and say "there is nothing I can do." That won't be true once he is inaugerated. What he does with the auto business will tell you whether the "change" is a plan or an election gimmick. You only make one deal with the devil, he doesn't like to renegotiate. Mark my words. The bailout will go thru.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:55:15 +0000

So many people don't truly realize what failure of these companies would mean to who knows how many people. For starters their employees would lose their jobs, UAW retirees would lose pensions and benefits dependants of current and former workers would lose health coverage, people would lose their homes, the loss of jobs would most certainly affect the economy of the towns in which they are located. for example one factory employees 1000 people, if that plant closes; the loss of revenue to grocery stores, retail stores, restaurants, banks, hospitals and other services and goods could truly devastate the local economies causing even more job loss.
The government will lose more in the long run (by way of income tax and corporate taxes from the loss of jobs failure would cause) than it will cost to bail them out or simply have money there just in case as is the case with Ford.
But hey, people in this country are all about ME ME ME. So let's not worry about the millions that could be affected by this and keep the very small amount that it would cost per person to prevent the failure.
Oh yea let's not forget without the big 3 we all are forced to buy imports and support the economy of Asian countries a little more.
Out with the old in with the new.
Give them what they need to survive, let them provide an incentive to buy American again and we all win.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:54:47 +0000

Why should we taxpayers be required to pay higher taxes to support lazy, worthless UAW retirees who made tons of money and now expect us to pay to continue their lavish lifestyles???

By: indiePA

indiePA — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:53:25 +0000

Billions of taxpayer dollars are being given away to entities that have, over the years, maintained very, very poor business practices. The banks granting loans to customers who lacked any insight into the business and had no hope of repaying if the value of the homes plummeted or they lost jobs or sustained an illness or injury was unforgiveable......and costly. Now the "big three" wants its share. We're asked to ignore the facts that 1) the head honchos have been overpaid for years; that 2) energy efficient automobiles were available from these companies, but were sold overseas; that 3) unions have obtained wages and benefits far too high for the work done. Since the answer appears to be the printing of more money (inflation), increasing our debt to Japan and China, and letting the American taxpayers foot the bill, I wholeheartedly OPPOSE the proposed bailout.

By: Rache from Bowie

Rache from Bowie — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:53:03 +0000

These robber barrons ran these companies into the dirt. Reclaim all of the salaries and bonuses FIRST, then come see me. You can't sell crap in a good market or bad. They need to go to bankruptcy.

By: Jessica in IL

Jessica in IL — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:52:12 +0000

They are having all these troubles because Americans are not buying their cars. How is that going to change with a bailout? I personally LOVE my Toyota Prius which I purchased new in 2007... there is nothing even close to a Prius in a so-called "American made" car (and my car was made in Portland,OR, not Japan!!)
And when is the government going to pay off my car, house, and Visa bills?? Oh, they're not?? I should have been more responsible? Hmm. Yep, the big 3 should have been, too.

By: Ken Williams

Ken Williams — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:51:03 +0000

Want to create jobs? Want to build for the future? How about using taxpayer's dollars to create jobs burrying powerlines, then have a car that is ready to hoover over the ground or fly using electricity and solar power? It will create jobs that will last for at least 40 years and become independent on foriegn oil.

By: Carrie Goodeagle Hayden, Idaho

Carrie Goodeagle Hayden, Idaho — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:47:15 +0000

I cannnot believe how ignorant people are about Unions. Without Unions, we would work for $1 an hr, and have nothing but sweatshops. GOD BLESS THE UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICAN AND ALL THE OTHER UNIONS IN THE AFL-CIO.

By: NatV, NYC

NatV, NYC — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:46:21 +0000

No, no and no bailout for anyone.

By: pv, VT

pv, VT — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:41:09 +0000

No bailout. I don't believe the top guys would willingly give up the $$$,
they'd just figure out another way to get the cash. I feel the money would go down the black hole and they would fail anyway. It looks to me that they are hysterical since their personal source would dry up.
Restructuring might be a better road...

By: standupguy3

standupguy3 — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:39:25 +0000

The UAW should not have to give an inch. Why should the UAW workers be asked to give up $60,000 – $89,000 jobs, guaranteed wages when laid off, full medical coverage and our leave and absence privileges. The UAW should wait this out because Congress will give up the dough. They know we control who gets elected. Cutting Saturn loose makes a lot of sense because they have fought bargaining since day 1 and they do nothing but cut into our small and midsize unit sales beacuse they make cheaper cars

By: RICK

RICK — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:38:04 +0000

Let 'em fail!
Pull the money back from the banks, too!
Who cares that it will drive us so deep into a depression even those of you who smugly think your pensions are safe will wonder what happened.
Give the loans not with 'strings' but with ropes; make the conditions of the loans significant and meaningful. With 3 million plus jobs and my grandson's future at stake, it would be irresponsible to do otherwise.

By: shannon

shannon — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:36:43 +0000

A waste of taxpayers money. They big 3 are suffering from decades of making substandard cars and very poor decision making. They may have better cars now, but it will be decades before anyone believes in their quality again. This was going to happen...economic crisis or not. They have been losing market share for years now...selling SUV's that don't make sense anymore.

NO bailout. It is throwing away money.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:36:37 +0000

let the government give us the taxpayers the money, so that we can buy cars for cash, payoff bills, and stimulate the economy that way.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:36:16 +0000

LIP @ December 3rd, 2008 12:31 pm ET,

Not bailing out the auto industry is equivalent to killing the child, not punishing it.

By: Nimi from NY

Nimi from NY — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:34:20 +0000

What do they know. I am sick and tired of ignorant people making life changing decisions for others. I can understand why people may be angry at the leaders of these Companies but I can't seem to fathom the reason they despise the Company workers too. After all, the loan is to help save people's jobs and the last time I checked people that work in the fcatories and related auto industries out number the people in management. So, can people just cut these people a break.