Comments on: RGA chairman warns Obama against bailouts

By: jackie ohio

jackie ohio — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:52:21 +0000

AS A GM RETRIREE WE DID NOT MAKE 75 DOLLARS A HOUR THAT IS A DAM LIE, I HAD TO RETIRE EARLY FROM MY JOB AT THE AGE OF 48 BECAUSE MY JOB WENT TO MEXICO, I EARNED MY PENSION AND I DON'T NEED THOSE IGNORANT SOUTHEREN REPUBLICANS SAYING LET THE CO. GO BANKRUPT, WHO DO THEY THINK WILL PAY MY PENSION, YOUR PRECIOUS GOVT, WILL HAVE TO PAY IT, PAY ME NOW OR PAY ME LATER, BY THE WAY THEY ARE ASKING FOR A LOAN I'M A TAXPAYER TOO, AND I WOULD BE PAYING FI\OR THE BAILOUT TOO, OUT OF MY PENSION, WE MADE 28 DOLLARS AN HOUR, AND LUCKILY, THEY DO PAY FOR OUR BENEFITS, RIGHTFULLY SO, ALOT OF PEOPLE WALK ED AWAY FROM THERE JOBS, WITH CANCER, ARTHRITIS, AND EVERY OTHER ILLNESS, SO I'M SICK OF PEOPLE SAYING WE WERE PAID TOO MUCH, WE WEREN'T PAID ENOUGH, AND THE PEOPLE WHO SAY GET RID OF THE UNION, ARE MAD BECAUSE THER JOB DON'T SUPPLY THEM WITH BENEFITS, TUFF

By: Gobama

Gobama — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:44:44 +0000

Funny how the so-called 'public' opposes funding of the auto industry, as if they are expert in how to handle macro economic matters. lol

The so-called 'public' that is griping about the pay of union workers are dead to the fact that there are execs of the companies who are making as much in a minute what the union workers are making in a week!

If the auto companies created much wealth over the years, why shouldn't the union workers participate in the auto industry wealth? Are they little more than slaves to the auto company?

The so-called public should relax and allow people with greater economic expertise do their job.

Spiting the auto comapnies when they are down is revenge; but it is not right for the company.

Go after the companies when they are wealthy and were acting stupid.
Example? Go after the oil companies now when they are making record profits!

By: Lauren

Lauren — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:44:44 +0000

I happen tot hink that his comments were some of the best I have heard for a long time,,,, I would vote for him in 2012

By: jacques

jacques — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:44:34 +0000

Where has this clown been for the last 8 years? Republicans have no credibility in any issues anymore. Go home, please. We are trying to clean up the mess you are leaving us with.

By: jackie ohio

jackie ohio — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:40:18 +0000

who is this clown and what shape does his ignorant azz think this country would be in if they didn't bail out, there wouldn't be a country left, IT'S THE ECONOMY STUPID

By: Sue T

Sue T — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:26:45 +0000

Why do you think the republicans suffered so badly this election......your Ideas are old......the same old stuff that we've been doing for the last 8 years and look where it has gotten us......nowhere.......most of the economists say we need finanical help.........give up this no taxes crap.......I'm even willing to pay a little more in taxes if it will get us out of this mess.........Republicans are just not willing to make the changes needed to get this country back on it's feet........keep your idea's to yourself if you can't come up with something new and different........

By: Adele

Adele — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:26:17 +0000

Thousands of people will lose their job if nothing is done. I don't care about the CEO's, I care about the working man.

By: Adele

Adele — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:24:25 +0000

The Republicans and Bush got us into this mess. What is Bush doing?

By: surprised?????

surprised????? — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:21:12 +0000

conservative is a failure PERIOD

By: Dan in Chicago

Dan in Chicago — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:17:01 +0000

I'm pretty sure Republicans don't believe in conservatism anymore... if they did they wouldn't be losing elections..... Still, I'm surprised Sanford wasn't censored for being truly Republican. Maybe he should have run for President... well, there's always 2012. I'd much rather have Sanford than Palin.

By: Voter

Voter — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:04:39 +0000

This guy sounds just like Bush, and look where 8 years of that got us. The only thing I agree about what he said was the union portion. I think the unions, at least in the car industry, are too costly and their unreasonable demands have sent the auto industry into bankruptcy. I oppose an auto industry bailout because a lot of the money will go to finance the unions (past, present and future commitments)

By: brian

brian — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:00:20 +0000

Sanford in real English:

1.no taxes to fund any projects...
2.free trade with other nations to deplete our available jobs...
3.forget workers rights, they are lucky to have a job....
4.since we don't want to collect taxes forget spending, see #1.

Hey Sanford, been there done that....

I'm surprised he didn't throw in the old capital gains tax garbage.....

By: MsRotten

MsRotten — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:53:43 +0000

RepubTards have had 8 years to offer up "solutions". Now that the Dems are in power they are going to start shooting their mouths off? That's about right!

By: MsRotten

MsRotten — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:51:47 +0000

Yep! All of those "conservative solutions" have worked thus far; haven't they? NOT!

By: Arkansas Undertaker

Arkansas Undertaker — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:48:49 +0000

Where was Gov. Sanford the last eight years when G.W. Bush was leading this country into a deep hole?

Barack will be just fine making his own decisions thank you Gov. Sanford but no thanks. Its the Rethuglicans that got us into this mess in the first place.

By: Arlene, Illinois

Arlene, Illinois — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:47:46 +0000

He is another reason the Republicans are in trouble!

Plus, no more bailouts for the tobacco industry in S.C.!

By: Marie banderas

Marie banderas — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:42:18 +0000

I too want a bailout, or stimulas, whatever its called, and think we the people ( who voted Obama IN ) should be taken care of before the 3 giant auto makers..no one would help me avoid bankruptcy if I made a bad choice, neither should Government bail out the automakers !

By: Desert Storm Vet

Desert Storm Vet — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:42:10 +0000

I read alot of anti-republican comments here and that is ok, I understand why you are upset with the past 8 years. This is not a Republican or Democrat issue this is our country we are talking about. When are we going to realize or at least ask the question, Where is this bail out money coming from? It all sounds wonderful, but nothing is free - even "Free Healthcare" isn't free. Someone is going to foot the bill and whether you are Dem Or Rep guess who that someone is? Well we could just print more money, that will only deepen the recession. Most people I've talked to Dem or Rep do not agree with the bail outs and it doesn't take a math wizz to figure out that the money they are throwing around could almost buy every American a car... Problem Solved- No, because the Auto industry will still be back, the banks will still be back with their greerdy little inefficient hands out. Sounds like we are being sold a bill of goods, but waitm, we're not buying. That's OK - We're the government and we know what is best for you inignificant people. WAKE UP AMERICA!

By: Elizabeth in Texas

Elizabeth in Texas — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:37:54 +0000

Doesn't anyone see what is happening? He is trying to become the 2012 GOP Candidate! He is everywhere grabbing the mic at conventions, going on PBS and network news. Before this he was so quiet! Someone is gunning for 2012.

By: Lesley

Lesley — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:34:40 +0000

The Republican vision has not worked. Let the Dems provide new policies. By insisting on keeping business as usual we'll never get out of our economic crisis.

By: john from sandiego

john from sandiego — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:30:20 +0000

The United States of Welfare...thank you Barry

By: JJ12345

JJ12345 — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:27:03 +0000

If we are going to bail them out do it right. You can say they are loans but what happens when they default? We all lose.

Just make the auto workers government employees and get it over with. Let the govenment produce cars if they are going to spend that much money in the auto industry.

By: ran

ran — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:25:58 +0000

I notice that Sandford 's plan did not include limited CEO compensation or Corporations off shore tax breaks. He only wanted limited union power or limited worker's rights or the use of poor work environment like in Colombia. He is just another Republican who cares about the rich and not the worker. Trickle down economics has never worked for the good of us all and never will.

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:25:03 +0000

And this is the guy who couldn't remember what John McCain's economic policies in a CNN interview?
It's amazing that he got elected governor, or does that say something about the people in SC!

By: Darko

Darko — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:22:27 +0000

Cutting taxes and increasing free trade DID work. GIVING houses away to people with no money is what didn't work!

The govt raises more money when taxes are cut and the public spends than they do by raising taxes. THIS IS A FACT. Why give a stimulis when you can just cut taxes instead? Oh, because Congress gets to give it to those THAT DON'T PAY TAXES. (AKA buying votes)

Bush screwed up the other half of the equation with out of control spending. The democrats allowed it to happen because they'll give into any bill that has enough pork in it. The only thing the dems threatened to filibuster before 2006 were SCOTUS judges.

Sanford is right. I guarantee you that chapter 11 will not kill the auto industry. People will still need cars and who in their right mind would not build them where there is billions in equipment and workers ready to go.

What chapter 11 WILL DO is kill that parasitic UAW union contract and that is the reason why BO and Congress are going to cough up the money.

By: sick n tired

sick n tired — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:13:38 +0000

I love how all these Republicans are suddenly experts on how to fix things! Makes me laugh!

By: Karen - Missouri

Karen - Missouri — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:13:11 +0000

The Republicans got us into this whole mess! so what clout does this guy think he has? His warnings mean nothing. When an economy is in as bad a shape as ours is right now...the govt. has to spend money to get the economy rolling. Any Econ 101 student knows that. But then, it seems all the Republicans never took Economics in college or remembered it anyway.

We BAILED out Wall Street....so there should be no question about giving the automakers a LOAN.

It's going to be along time before most of us Americans listen to what a Republican thinks.

By: Vern in SC

Vern in SC — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:12:28 +0000

I have been reading alot of the post that the american people have been writing but i have a question for all of you. What if is was your company that needed a bailout to ensure that you still had a job, would you be against the bailout then. The millions of workers and suppliers that are connected to these business will suffer more than the people that ran the companies. No one wants to bailout them out for poor management, but they should be helped to save millions of families that may lose their jobs if help is not extended to these companies. Alot of people that have been on some of those jobs have been there for so many years, how would you retrain all of the older workers for up to date jobs now. There are so many other problems that will add to the nation crisis if these companies are not bailed out. This is a great nation in which we live in and with alot of sacrifice this country can recover and be the leader that is should be for the whole world. The question is what are we as a nation willing to do to help someone else other than just me, myself, and i, or us four and no more.

By: Pete Collins

Pete Collins — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:12:03 +0000

Obama really needs advice on the economy from Republicans. ROFLMAO Mark Sanford must be smoking some bad crack. The election is over, and you guys LOST. America has rejected your GOP financial playbook. You claim to be all about helping "Joe the plumber" but when "Joe the autoworker" who actually MAKES something -- which America does far too little of -- and works for a living and pays his taxes needs help, you're all against it. Republicans were eager to give the $10 billion bailout to Goldman Sachs, which immediately gave $6.5 billion in bonuses to their staffers. But to people who work for a living they say we should give nothing.

By: Nola

Nola — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:09:34 +0000

Does the state of South Carolina have sufficient income to survine this down fall in our economy? The state of Kentucky is looking at a 4B deficit-the city of Louisville has two large Ford plants that will probably close if their is no bailout – What auto companies are in South Carolina?

By: Willy Brown

Willy Brown — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:08:22 +0000

Obama was a tool used by Bill and Hillary Clinton to get them back into the W.H.

By: Brian G, Sugar Land, TX

Brian G, Sugar Land, TX — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:56:50 +0000

Right, no bailouts...except for the S.C. tobacco industry. I hear its sales are down as people die off...

By: Spencer/NY to VA

Spencer/NY to VA — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:54:31 +0000

Thanks for the advice Mark, but if you want to lend your advice, try giving it to GWB while he's still in office. You must have not got the memo either, we will take republican suggestions, but we won't consider them. Save that conservative mumbo-jumbo for when Mr. 666 arrives.

By: OBAMA GIRL

OBAMA GIRL — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:51:54 +0000

shut up Mark! You make me disgusted to be a South Carolinian.

By: Arden

Arden — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:51:49 +0000

AS a christian I don't recall Jesus giving us a blank check for an easy life. My grand-parents survived the depression, my parents survived the second world and we can survive this recession. Unless these people are being watched 24-7 with the money their asking for (which we won't do) then maybe chapter eleven's are going to have to teacch them that americans are tired of being ripped off. They have had eight years to take care of their mess. If they didn't do it then I don't see it happening now. As long as the employees that work for these auto companies get full unemployment benefits and they are allowed to take part of their retirement with them without being penalized then maybe the auto industry should really clean their house. I do believe in PE Obama. We need to swear him in so he can get to work instead of waiting for when its to little , to late.

By: Harvey

Harvey — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:48:02 +0000

No Bailouts in the private sector!
And for those who think the republicans are to blame for everything, you have been brainwashed my friends. It all started years ago and it can all be traced to the NEW DEAL THE GREAT SOCIETY and a few other democratic failures at socialism.

Carl Marx said, "Democracy is the beginning of socialism." We are supposed to be a Republic, but everyone is preaching democracy so let's see how far in the mud we can sink before we realize what's happened.

By: Joe Unger, San Francisco

Joe Unger, San Francisco — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:47:03 +0000

Some of you people have no memories or were not paying attention.
Conservative Republicans were unhappy with Bush and his spending ways. I"m sure this guy said the same thing when Bush was president but Bush didn't listen.
But he is misguided if he thinks Obama won't support bailouts. He already supports the auto bailout. Remember, the Democratic party relies on support from unions. The unions want to keep jobs so Obama will support bailouts.
The people may say no to bailouts but you haven't heard Obama say that, have you?

By: creighton

creighton — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:41:40 +0000

1 in 10 jobs tied to the Domestic Auto Industry. Is the Governor ready for a depression. That's millions of jobs lost, those people would be in need of some kind of social service. You can't just let them starve and go homeless. Sounds like he's just posturing for 2012. What a total empty suit this guy is, sure glad he's not in charge and in no position of influence over the national economy.

By: JD

JD — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:41:16 +0000

Gov. Sanford is obviously an economic lightweight. He hasn't the slightest idea what he is talking about. You don't take a bludgeon to spending and let core industries fail during a recession.

By: C.T.

C.T. — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:40:21 +0000

Silence Dogood, GWB will be making this decision on the car industry. Why don't you ask him.

By: Mari

Mari — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:39:47 +0000

WOW............ did Sanford actually use the word "MORAL"?????? Where was Sanford when the Republican president launched an illegal....... immoral war on Iraq?

Where was Sanford when AIG and other Wall Street rich were bailed out?

But......... now that the auto workers will lose their jobs...... he doesn't want to help? Hypocrite.

By: C.T.

C.T. — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:38:13 +0000

I'm curious... Where was the Govenor's advice when GWB was driving in the wrong direction for the past 8 years. What's with these people that watched or steered this economy down the drain, and wanted no complaints, now they have all the answers. By the way, if the govenor's know so much ,why were they already seeking govt. monies for their states at this meeting? Go home and shutup. Hey Alaska, no big oil taxes this year....

By: Gary

Gary — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:37:38 +0000

Sanford better worry about South Carolina, we rank worst in every catagory. Education, crime, health. Do your job at home first

By: Greed is not good

Greed is not good — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:37:16 +0000

What is with the Republican obsession with "free trade" with Columbia??
How many Columbian lobbyists are working with the Republicans and why does McCain/Graham spend so much time there?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:35:49 +0000

I am not a believer that every mis-managed business deserves free-money and or a bail-out. However, if you look at the last eight years and the lack of accountability that has taken place on the part of our government and the auto-industry; its time to grow up and start making the same sacriffices we americans are expected to make. Unless PE Obama can come up with a plan and a group of people that can be tursted (trust is a word that americans no longer believe in) to insure that the moany will be spent properly then maybe it is going to take Chapter eleven's for the auto-maklers to make them understand that we have had enought of our tax dollars being blown on CEO's and private jets. As a christian I think it is foolish to believe that Jesus gave us a blank check for an easy life in this case a bail-out. I do believe in PE Obama and he will and is trying to do the best he can to help get us out of this mess. What we really need to happen is PE Obama needs to be sworn in as President so he can get to work and begin the healing process that has to take place. By the time we get the Bush Administration out of office it will be too little to late.

By: Bob from NC

Bob from NC — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:32:54 +0000

Same old threadbare republican answers to new and more complex economic questions. Why is it almost every republican administration since Nixon has driven our economy into the ditch with these philosophies and then they turn right around and swear they have the answers.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:31:56 +0000

Of course, the republicans hate unions because they can't stand workers having any power. Why do you think Bush and the Republicans have pretended to care about illegal immigration but done nothing realistic to solve it? Why of course...because they like all their big business buddies to make more money by hiring illegals.

By: karen raleigh

karen raleigh — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:31:52 +0000

Why didnt this guy speak up in the last 8 years???Where was he??? Did he mention these ideas to his boss , Bush????

By: Pam

Pam — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:31:13 +0000

So republicans create the problem and then "warn" Obama about fixing it?? Nice try.

By: Get over it

Get over it — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 21:29:42 +0000

Let's see.

1) $77 /hour UAW employees.
2) having to pay UAW employees even if they refuse to work.
3) paying healthcare for UAW employees that retired 10 years ago.
4) CAFTA standards.

No wonder they are not competative!!!!

I say, let the Big 3 FAIL and file Chapter 11 so that they can undo this mess.