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[...] Via The Weekly Standard, see also John Dingell for another specific case – although that may be just him not being allowed to be too publicly [...]

This isnt a handout...it is a loan. They are required to pay it back. seems like you people dont watch the news much.

The financial industry was a handout. Also people want to think that we should let all of these companies fail but they dont realize that if the auto and financial industries would have failed, this country would be in a decade long depression. Do you really want that? It's a dominoe effect and you would be effected.

I support this Auto Loan, especially if it stops a 2+ million job loss.

Typical politics.....when things dont go your way, you accuse your opponets of being "unpatriotic". Well you know what Rep. Dingell, I'm against the auto makers bailout, and I dare you to call me unpatriotic. Oh, and I'm from the south as well. Have these people ever heard of something called bankruptcy? Ford, Chrysler, and GM could declare bankruptcy and still continue operating. The only thing is that they would have to downsize, and maybe lay some people off.

I worked for a company that had to declare bankruptcy less than a year after I got hired. I continued working there for more than 2 years before getting layed off. Laying people off was something that management when to great lengths to avoid, but in the end were unable to do. It hurt me financially to lose my job, as it did the others, but now that company is out of bankruptcy and once again profitable. It took several years and a lot of fat cutting, but it worked. What I'm saying is that this bailout is a band aid on a gunshot wound. It's nothing but a short term fix, and we need a long term fix.

Oh and a few monthes ago my dad went to buy a new Ford truck, he picked out what he wanted and worked out an agreement with the dealership, but on the day he was supposed to pick his truck up, they called and said they needed another $600. My dad balked at that, and he was told that without $600 the deal was off, so dad told them to stick it. If Ford is willing to loose $45,000 over a matter of $600, then go crying to Washington, then screw them. They dont deserve free money when people are willing to buy a car and they refuse to sell them.

Where was the bailout for textiles in the South. I guess Dingell's chickens have come home to roost.

Oh also if you want a $14 Billion bailout to save jobs. I could give a $100000 loan to 140000 Small Businesses and save just as many if not more jobs.
The biggest lie is the loss of 3 million jobs. At most it would be 200000 short term with a longtime very solvent company not a bandaid on a cut artery with a patient on life support.

Interesting.......$700,000,000,000 for the fat cats on Wall Street and $0 for the jobs of Americans who actually work for a living.

We certainly see where the loyalties lay.

Money talks and jobs walk.......

If the UAW could figure out that they can save their jobs and their companies by making concessions, this would all be a moot point. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is meant for just this situation. As a taxpayer, i do not want to pour money into a black hole of mis-management, part of which is enabling the greed and excess of union demands. It has to end and if the UAW ants to cut off their nose to spite their face, so be it. No bailout!

@boered1.......excellent comment and right on the money

@ charlies nj......I beg to disagree with you on Toyota, Honda, etc making better cars with better resale value. I've driven a Chevy Corvette (now on my 7th one) since 1972 and they hold their value much better than any foreign made car.

Do NOT buy a foreign car for the next four years. Buy an American car. I am unemployed at the moment, but when I have a job, it will be from Chrysler.

Yes!! Time to boycott anything that is coming from the South.

I have taken their names and the names of the states that opposed it.They will receive their just rewards in the coming years.I will not buy anything made in their states nor be a tourist in any.

Problem with the US Auto industry is 1) poor management in the last few years. Bringing in someone from the outside like Ford did was a good move.. Look what Ford has done in the last few years, their vehicles now have the same reliability as Toyota and Honda now. 2) The people in the South are in right to work states. Meaning, it's very hard to form a Union to fight against management, so management can set whatever wage they want. That means no health care, no anything else for the people in the south, or if they do, it's not quite the same.

Now, I'm not defending the auto worker in MI. MAtter of fact, they DO need to make some concessions. I pay 1/4 of my health care, and I work for the US GOv't. GM employees threatened a strike for having to pay up to $50 a month for health care to help cover the costs. Scuse me? I saw an article that said a lot of the reason companies are shedding money is due to the outrageous cost of health insurance.. It's well documented that the average line worker at GM makes, combining their benefits, nearly $90K. I have 2 college degrees and don't come anywhere close to that with my benefits..

Being a former midwesterner, I am sorry to see the economic destruction of the midwest continue. However, if southerners are willing to abandon the midwest, maybe midwesterners can return the favor when the next hurricane hits South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, etc. No federal aid for idiots dumb enough to build houses, businesses, etc in the potential path of hurricanes.

This will cost you!

Wait until you see the REAL BILL !

When these people loose their jobs and their retirement pensions.

Who will pay then?

Take down the names of the politicians that voted against this and then send them the BILL !

Never forget!

Dingell is correct.

The UAW and the workers they represent have consessions on the books. Who asked AIG how much it paid in bonuses? Who asked AIG what it pays it's workers hourly? Or how much per hour it cost to pay a salary and benefits. I am guessing it is way more than the 71 dollars an hour it cost the big three to pay an hourly wage and benefits to an employee.

To paraphrase/highjack a very popular bumper sticker in the south....if I would have known it would come to this, I would have let them succeed.

I'm registered Republican, voted Republican all my life until this year. It is no longer the "small Government, stay out of people's personal business" party. More like facists for religious fundamentalist idiots now.
Under Republican majorities in both houses of Congress for 6 years, and a retarded monkey Republican President for 8 years, we now have the biggest Government ever, the biggest trade deficit ever, the biggest budget deficits ever, more intrusion into our personal business since the days of fascist Mcarthyism, and a foolish occupation of Iraq costing taxpayers billions per week.
Let's see the overpaid GOP Senators take a pay cut, and give back their FREE FOR LIFE health care with no deductibles. More idiocy from Republicans, let's just let millions of people be put out of work.
There's a reason the south lost the civil war....they didn't think that out very well either. Maybe next time they rise up it will be high enough to kiss this Yankee's rear end.

Let's see,

Last week the auto unions said they were willing to come to the table; then yesterday the said we won't talk until the end of this contract. This, rightfully, upset some senators who understand that when your hourly labor cost is about 40-50% higher than your competitor you can't really compete. I am almost to the point of saying "let it fail", almost. The problem is that there are too many innocent bystanders who would end up as collatteral damage and that would be too painful.

Given all of this I hope and PRAY that the UAW is taken to the woodshed when this contract is done, that is if they are still around and their workers still have jobs.

Funny, isn't it? All of these comments vaunting the superiority of the foreign car companies? Let's see. The foreign car companies don't even pretend to be willing to build a factory in this country unless they get tens of millions (nowadays it's hundreds of millions) of "incentives" (i.e., subsidies in the form of tax breaks and outright capital investments by state and local governments). Oh, and their home countries protect them with high tariffs and direct subsidies. Oh yeah, and they have universal health care that they (the companies) don't have to pay anything for. And, in this country at least, they haven't been in business long enough to have a lot of retirees. So anybody who doesn't like government subsidies to corporations should be up in arms and picketing daily in front of all the foreign car company plants in the US. Otherwise, you should just keep your ignorant, hypocritical mouths shut.

As for Corker and Shelby: There couldn't possibly be two more despicable politicians. Corker was elected only because he ran a purely racist campaign and Shelby smeared a genuine US war hero, claiming that the real hero was a friend of terrorists. What scum.

I would hate to suffer a stroke and become so stupid that I would think that this whole Republican charade was anything other than political posturing – they are just suckering the same people who are eager to blame hard-working, good American citizens for the hard times that the US auto industry is experiencing. It's not that simple, folks. The reality is a little more complex than that. But then, complexity is not exactly a Republican strong suit. Neither is real patriotism.

scumbag republicans, I can't stand them, and the sad thing is the south is full of them, rednecks scumbags!

I live in Alabama and I support the LOAN (it's not a bail out). Senator Shelby has the foreign automakers in his back pocket. His statements about him believing in free markets and capitalism are just words. He took $75 million from federal government to bailout the fishing industry in May, 08 because he said that the fishing industry was vital to Alabama's economy. Now, if the Big 3 aren't vital to the US economy, I don't know what is. If he believed in free markets he wouldn't have bailed out the fishermen.

By the way, I called his office to ask him to please vote for the bridge loan to the Big 3. His staff answered my questions from a script. When I asked who would supply our military with equipment if the Big 3 went under, there was a long pause...then, I'm not sure...then, thanks for your call...then, I was disconnected. So, I'm still not sure why my state re-elects him every time he runs.

It looks like the moderators of this don't want to hear about fair labor wages. The republicans have represented the rich elite for over 100 years and they have been against organized labor that has fought for a living wage.

Why should the US tax payer bail out poor management and over paid union workers who caused 90% of the problem the industry is in. a
reorganization in bankruptcy is the only way. It gets ride of poor management and the non competitive union contracts.

New competent management and competitive labor contracts are the only way. American ingenuity from the privet sector will do the rest.
The government can help by participating in the financing during the bankruptcy reorganization. Any other solution will be putting good money after bad and unfair to the US taxpayer.

Dingel is an idiot

This is for Nola. It is ignorant people like you that make this country as backwards as it can be sometimes. Blaming the country's financial problems on the wonderful people in South is stupid, and unfair. I hope to God that you are waiting in a line when we enter a depression.

why is it that these southern senators always block any legislation that benefits the country?.. that mitch mcconnell has done nothing positive since hes was elected.

and why havent the southern people thrown these bums out?

They view it as punishing the union for not backing down to their demands that the innocent workers who relied on the mindless imbeciles running the country take a hit to their paycheck in order to save the company. The GOP would much rather see that than force the narrow-minded self-serving executives to forfeit their ill-gotten gains from the past few years when this entire catastrophe was completely foreseeable but they refused to do anything because they were in it with Big Oil and willing to send the companies to hell to make ridiculous money for themselves, all while fighting against the R&D expense of coming up with alternative energies, better cars and emissions standards. Line 'em up CNN. Who were their lobbyists who have fought Congressional measures to have things like better missions standards? How much did those bastards haul in over the past few years? Corner them. I want to hear what they have to say for themselves and about the people who paid them.

I am a 40 year straight ticket voting Republican who will change to straight ticket Democrat after the hypocrisy shown by the Southern fools so-called senators. This is nothing more than Us vs Them and now I know who Them are. The next time Katrina hits the South I hope they rot in their mess. I am for cutting every penny off from below the Mason-Dixon line. I hope Rush hears this too, because I am not alone in this. I loved the conservative ideal, but crooks have taken over the party and I want nothing to do with them.

Houses are a necessity!!!!!!!!!!!! Cars are a luxury!!!!!!!!! End of story!

It is amazing that the Senators of Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky have foreign car plants in their states and they especially Bob Corker's racist butt from Tennessee have sold their constituents down the river. I hope the Saturn plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee who had workers vote for Corker against Harold Ford Jr. two years ago are happy with their choice. What a joke that little "country a$$" person is! He's an embarrasement to all Tennesseans!

Well, if the shoe fits. I fully expect "southern senators" (read: the last bastions of racist politics) to recoil from the fact that they must evolve to fit the societla mores of the 21st century and to entreanch themselves in the politics that have turned the GOP into a behemoth pariah. Just watch. Should be a grand 4 year soap opera of sour grapes and bitterness.

Temporarily relief for the workers is necessary, but rescuing three failing companies would be useless. Obviously, they did not care what customers want and continued producing unwanted cars. They have to shape up before we can give them any bailout. It is illogical to ask the customers and/or taxpayers to bail them out at this point.

Amike- who would bail out the insurance employees that would be unemployed? Just sayin'

Hey libs, Bush supports and helped write the bailout, where is the loving adoration for him? This is too funny, the person that democrats and bloggers hate and loathe, Bush, is now their partner in the bailout. This must immediately make him a super intellectual. It now sounds like Bush may do what the democrats couldn't accomplish and give the UAW, I mean auto companies, their 15 billion out of the 350 billion at his disposal for the banks. If and when that happens it will be great to hear all of you who spew hate and racists remarks towards republicans, proclaim that Bush is now the second coming of messiah. Come on libs lets hear it, he is on your side, lets hear the love.

@ chi town..OBAMA IS NO LONGER A SENATOR. HE RESIGNED..THAT IS WHY HIS SEAT WAS "FOR SALE"

AWWWWW poor Dingel..... where were you in the 1970's when the American auto factories started producing the crap they call cars?

Oh I am sorry.. did I say something that wasn't PC. The Big 3 deserve this for too long they produced second rate cars at first rate prices and now they expect the US tax payer to pick up their check.

Kiss my foot there is no way in hell this bailout or any other bail out should ever happen.

What happened to Capitalism and when did I wake up in the USSR?

Maybe the South can still secede……ya think? Do us all a favor.

No money for a failed UAW company! All thieves and ganstas. Only will be good money after bad.

Dingle the Poster Boy for TERM LIMITS!

Thanks to the Plantation faction of the Republican Party for putting their devotion to the foreign automobile plants in their states above the welfare of the nation. What a proud moment to be a Republican...

People who keep yelling "socialism": Do you listen to the news? Do you see jobs lost and companies collapsing all around you? Do you not care because you still have your job? The lost of those three companies will affect way beyond just the autoworkers. When things become terminally bad, you will be the ones who will scream, why didn't our leaders do anything and it will be too late.

Why is it that the union gets blamed for wanting $20-$40 an hour for their members, which adds up to around $90,000. On the other hand no one is blaming the CEO's and Directors who pay themselves $22 million a year in salary and bonuses. We only give them a hard time about their private jet? The US President makes less than $1 million!

My senator didn't kick anyone the gut–he helped save the American taxpayer from a $14 billion waste of money.

You know, It is funny, all those southern boys, whom history has shown are racists, also forget something else. America invented the automobile. Lets see Henry Ford invented. And Bush allowing compaines tax breaks for shipping job overseas. Hey maybe the southern boys don't likeunions. My grandfather grew up in an era where women could not work. He joined a union and was able to alter buy a four bedroom house, pay for my grandmothers extensive medical bills when there was no medical insurance. And schooling for my mother and uncle and aunt. I am pro union, and morons who are against unions, well you have no idea what you are missing. Walmart needs to become union. And bailout our automakers. I drive American cars, and I would rather die than ever an a foregin car. They suck, and they are expensive to get fixed. Other countries don't deserve our money. The US needs our money.
GO Obama and buy only american.

Doesn't matter how much money we throw at the car companies, they are going to fail. The bottom line is the U.S. wants value for their money, and you don't get it paying for UAW employees. Throw out all the auto execs, it's still not going to get people to buy enough cars to justify the pay the unions demand for their employees when there are far cheaper and more reliable cars available.

The new congress should strip the south of all defense contracts and then let's see how loyal their supporters are to the southern strategy.

We need unions down here in the south like they have up north. Workers are taken advantage all of time in the southern states. The southern senators that are looking out for the international auto makers ahead of the US auto makers are UNpatriotic!

The same "patriots" who told us to buy American for years are the Republicans wanting them to go bankrupt.

This is the GOP plan: Defeat this bailout / loan because of the oversight that was put in place, Bush flies in with his red capp and gives a bailout with no oversight so these cronies can get their share. Do they think we are stupid. That what happened to the wall street bailout money.

Let me educate the rest of you on what it is like to live in a state where "foreign" auto manufacturing plants are located. First of all the state of Tennessee gave millions, if not billions, in tax breaks to get Nissan to locate a manufacturing plant here. I don't recall Tennessee giving GM any tax breaks to locate the Saturn plant in Tennessee. There is no state income/payroll tax inTennessee so poor people like myself have to pay the same tax rate that the rich people pay – 9.25% sales tax on every purchase including groceries and I have no idea how much in hotel/motel/entertainment taxes, excise taxes and tobacco taxes because I can't afford to set foot in the stadium where the Titans play or the arena where the Predators play! But I know some of the sales taxes I paid helped to build those facilities. Now Tennessee has an $800 million budget shortfall. Most Tennesseeans are either uneducated blue-collar rednecks or educated rich rednecks so that is why Tennessee sent an idiot like Bob Corker to the Senate. Never mind that he was employing illegal immigrants at his construction sites. Corker and Shelby from Alabama – home of the Mercedes plant near Birmingham – are trying to steal a page out of Ronald Reagan's playbook to once again break the backs of the unions. When Americans open their eyes and start buying cars built by American based companies and quit sending people like Corker and Shelby to Washington then GM, Ford and Chrysler can get back to the business of building quality cars like they did for many years before the government started telling them what to build and how to build it. If GM goes under who will build our military vehicles? The might and wealth of America was built by companies like GM, Ford, Chrysler, AT&T, Standard Oil, U. S. Steel, railroads and many others. We must support our American companies and give them a level playing field!

It is unconscionable on the part of senators to have defeated the bailout. GM and Ford are among the few companies that have a well funded pension plan. They have been among the biggest employers in the US. As one famous person said "When the tree falls, the earth shakes". It is not an ordinary tree that will fall, but a banyan tree with all its vines shaking the entire nation. In short, it will be earth shattering.

REPUBLICANS to AMERICA – DROP DEAD
Happened to NY.

no one really wants a bailout.

but anyone who has a modicum of business sense knows what a tidal wave this bankruptcy would cause. you think you're safe living in california, arkansas, tennessee, etc? think again!

bankruptcy of the big 3=suppliers going under=dealers going under=factories going under=local communities going under=advertising agencies going under=media planning/buying companies going under=production houses going under,banks that have extended credit to all these business going under=those people losing their jobs, etc etc etc.

those of you who are against this loan (not bailout), you have NO idea how this is going to affect you. think of this moment of reading this as your warning. you may not like the government helping, but it's going to save your future. this is not a political statement – it's reality.

don't say you weren't warned.

It's no surprise that the southern red states have the highest rates of child malnutrition and overall poverty in the nation. And it's no secret that they also have the highest illiteracy rates in the country. If they want to remain backwards and ignorant states, let them. If they're stupid enough to embrace feudalism, let them. But they should secede from the Union for the good of our country, and this time we should let them.

Dear irratated In Florida....well while you are only making $8.00 an hour ..find out what your Senator and Congressmen are making in your area at YOUR expense...I am sure they are making more than you...You should have graduated from High School you would be making more than $8.00 an hour by now

sorry nola, but no one bailed us out when the company my husband worked at for 23 years closed. if the unions hadn't jacked wages so high, car price might have been more reasonable and I might have bought a new car and then there wouldn't be this mess.

get over the pity party already and live within your means.

Japanese and German companies based in old South... 3 defeated states...

Make a car that doesn't break down constantly and I'll buy it. Honestly, I have little sympathy for the unions here. They're paying out more than people with masters degrees make. Why reward failure?

Good call by Dingell!
It appears that a handful of Dead White Males from Wal-mart states is attempting to sabotage the American economy before President Obama can take office.
Don't they get the message from the electoral beatdowns in 2006 and 2008? Or do they just want to drag the rest of the country down to their sub-standard of living?
I hope somebody is taking names and making a list. We'll see what happens the next time these Maynards and Bufords want their tobacco price supports.

So people down South make just $8.00 an hour and that's the UAW's fault? According to taxfoundation.org most red states receive more money from the federal government than they send. Alabama gets 1.66 for every dollar it sends. Not bad huh Northern workers? I guess having a union job would affords us welfare for the South? Right? We subsidize the less wealthy states for years and this is the thanks we get? Well, this Yankee knows why he's not Republican any more.

What if the Big 3 was headquartered in the deep south. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

A Detroiter and UAW family member

Nola, nice try genius. "What those Southern dummies does not understand..." Priceless. Your post reminds me of a joke. A Southern woman and a Northern woman are attending the same function. The conversation goes like this:

Southern woman: "Where are y'all from?"

Northern woman: "I'm from a place where people don't end their sentences with prepositions."

Southern woman. "Oh, excuse me. Where are y'all from, B#@%h?"

It has been said that the senators from the south are protecting those foreign auto companies in their states. That may have an element of truth but the Republican Party from all over the United States, the party of big business and the rich, are attempting to reach their ultimate goal. That is to break the unions. If they can push the American auto industry under they think that will break the union movement. There will be thousands and thousands of working people without a paycheck that will be willing to take anything to survive, and as been said, be thankful for it. The Republican wet dream comes true.

Sucks that the fate of my state is left up to some backward hicks.

If congress really wants to help the auto industry, borrow a page from other counties, one raise our import taxes to equal import taxes on our products in their countries who import here or open their boarders and taxes to equal ours, two, require that ownership of foreign plants in USA be 51% USA citizen owned, only allow 49% of profits to allow to leave the USA, 51% has to remain here.

"What those Southern dummies does not understand about the auto business......" Take a moment to think about this quote. Thank you Nola!! think about your statement too and come back with better ideas.

What everyone is NOT informed on is that the Southern States paid $BILLIONS OF BUCKS to foreign Car/Truck manufactures to relocate in the USA.
Alabama gave Mercedes $253 BILLION plus $250 to $300 MILLION in FREE Land to open up shops in the State of Alabama.
You know, with friends like that who in the HELL needs enemies.
Ask Senators Shelby, Crocker and Crapo. There are 13 foreign Car/Truck operations in the USA with nearly all located in Southern States under GOP Control.
Everyone of these operations is NON-UNION because the GOP is ANTI-UNION.
When it's all said and done, we'll see a level playing field for all Car/Truck manufacturing with normalization of pay and benefits to all.

Well, UAW screwed up, should have supported both parties equal, just paid for their one sided support

Then you should also blame the voters because we DON'T WANT ANOTHER FAILED bail out attempt like the AIG mess.

Wow irratated in Fl. You are so right! I am a dem that feels soooooo bad for you southern republicans because those bad bad dems are messing up america. I didn't realize that dem and rep are more than just stupid labels being used by people like you to separate instead of unite. Oh by the way as a teacher I feel I am working hard for every dollar that I see and I KNOW that the workers up north that are reps and dems are doing the same. Have a heart and feel a little empathy for those that might lose their jobs because politicians from other parts of the country are not helping. It wasn't their fault that the CEOs don't know how to run a sustainable company.

As a 40 year GM employee I am glad that these Republipukes blocked this loan. I for one would hate too have to have too know I owe my $36,000.00 a year ( Before Taxes) to these TRAITORS to this country. Just so everyone knows that is $490 a week. Yes GM will indeed survive and will with the concessions already given by the UAW be burying these Jap Rice Burning government owned plants.
Nobody and I repeat nobody has ever made or ever will make $73.00 an hour. However the haters will never understand this so to hell with them. ( Isn't that what the haters told us?) So when the next national crisis comes and it will, run off and see if these Rice Burners will build your planes and tanks. As far as we are concerned just keep your Welcome to WalMart badges handy.

"lets b real" wrote: "When Republicans lose the majority"

Seriously – that is rich. The Obama electorate has never been better defined.

Morons – there aren't 51 Republican Senators, and there aren't 51 Southern senators. Therefore, 51 Republican Southern Senators did not sink this bill. But, catchy headline and story for Dingell.

Regardless of partisanship or whether you are from the North or South, have an automaker in your state or unions (which every state has). To vote no on the bailout does not make since. It has been widely acknowledged that the Big 3 provide 2.5 million direct and inderect jobs without the foreign transplants, and each of those jobs provide a minimum $5,000 to $15,000 in annual federal, state, and local tax revenue from the employees as well as a matching $5,000 to $15,000 in annual tax revenue from the employers. Which means that if we vote no on the bailout that would be anywhere from $12.5 billion to $37.5 billion in tax dollars lost per year. If the governement gives them the loan, which they must pay back with interest, the worst thing that would happen would be that the Big 3 breaks even. How many of you would pay $14 dollars today to maintain $37.50 per year. Seems like simple math to me.

Four Democrats voted 'nay': Baucus, Tester, Lincoln, and Reid.

Four Democrats did not vote: Biden, Kennedy, Kerry, and Wyden.

Why doesn't the media report this and ask these democrats why they don't care about middle America and union wage earners????

It was the demo and clinton who didnt help the steel or bail it out
it left it for dead we all lost everything
what makes them so special?
what happen to capitalism?
are we now in the socialize job market
this is nothing but socialism

As if it wasn't already apparent that Republicans are the enemy of the American worker.

It is so so very sad to be dumb – If the Big 3 goes under so does the non-american auto companies- What those Southern dummies does not understand about the auto business is they all intertwine – they all use parts from the same venders – the same starter switch on a GM is also on a Toyota. So if the 3 goes down then venders will go down – therefore Honda, Toyota, BMW and others will go down.

It would pay for those Southern too take the time to read or make a visit to auto plants and discuss the whys and whats with the employees before they vote- So when this country hits a depression
you folks from AL, SC, and Tenn can stand in line with the rest of us

Hello!!!

Spit the truth!!!

It's more than a coincidence that the largest opponent is from a state where BMW and Kia have plants..........

ummmm....to you (us) living in the South – wages topic – guess what you are "republican states!) get it!~~~ you don't get a decent wage – and yes you beg for food stamps...duh~!! I'm for working folks getting a living wage (not insane amounts – I know folks who work in plants and make $15 + an hour – + they have health insurance) – there is nothing wrong with a living wage! The folks up North have to contend with higher costs for heating etc. living costs – wages are usually relative to the area you live. Some (a very few) are getting extremely rich off the backs of the working poor – If you don't correct that – you get revolutions! look at history and learn!

the problem is that the majority of people are not in favor of allowing the auto industry to go down. The poll numbers are always wrong on this stuff.
No matter what the media polls push out, Most americans know that "that many people out of work will not be a good thing" especially if you want a recovery of the economy. I'd like to see the auto industry in america forced to make some changes, I'd like to see the unions which really made life difficult for the auto makers take the hit also. I dont want to see just the auto makers take a hit while feeding the unions, they need to be adjusted to real world standards, and if that means attrition of the big money earners through that restructuring or that the unions remain but take a huge pay cut, then so be it.

OMG.......how old is Dingell anyway? His picture looks like a still from "Night of the Living Dead".

Chi town,

Obama has resigned his senate seat, and I believe Biden as well...I don't think they CAN vote.
Let me tell you, if these three companies go under, it will not be a Midwest depression, it will affect all of you! If the automakers are gone, the suppliers, dealers, mechanics...all gone...and that will be felt nationwide. Not to mention the unemployment WE ALL will pay to them, the shelter that our communities will have to provide, support for their children...are you ready for an influx of GM workers into your state? I can't believe the heartlessness of you people.The numbers being thrown out there are insane..check out the Detroit Free Press for an article comparing union salaries/benefits to non-union foreign car salaries/benefits-you may be surprised. It's easy to blame the unions-but they are people, and Americans too, just like you. How come you weren't outraged about the bank bailouts -many more billions with no strings? Two wrongs don't make a right, but in this case, the government needs to step in with LOANS to keep the companies going. This is political, nothing else. And we will remember who sank this country long after this vote is history. This is a sorry day for America. The day we sold our souls in the name of what?

In answer to the person by the title ( get real) on this page.IF IT WAS'NT FOR THE UNIONS YOU WOULD BE WORKING FOR PENNEYS IF THAT. WE HAD TO FIGHT YOU GREEDY BAS-– WAY BACK THEN. READ SOME HISTORY IF YOU ARE ABLE TO READ AT ALL.

A LOYAL UNION MEMBER– RETIRED

The Republican want the APWU to make concession? Where was this big outcry when the banks got their money, and the ceo's got their bonuses. Do they want to use this crises to break the union's. Shame on them these are really job's that will get affected, unlike the banks that haven't use their money to help homeowners.

How did the comment "Where are you getting this "$70.00″ p/hour crap from??? You're mama doesn't even make $70.00 in a whole month selling herself on the streets." get approved? That is completely innapropriate.

To get the facts about the auto industry you need to listen to public radio. NPR news. The only way to get the real news.

If the auto industry goes under, it's going to be a trickle affect. Well it's good to see that at least the welfare system still exist, looks like alot of people are going to be on it soon.Thank you Republicans and everyone else who rejected the bailout.

There is plenty of blame to go around. We have demanded the biggest monsters on the road and the big 3 has given it to us, irrespective of fuel efficiency or durability. The auto industry has simply given us what we want so in essence we have the auto industry we deserve. I generally support unions but in this case, the unions have made demands in the past and the auto industry was pretty much in a position to give in to the demands. As a result, we have auto workers with benefits that are unparalleled in the industry. I also agree with Representative Dingell that maybe some Republicans are taking this opportunity to stick it to the UAW. Maybe the UAW has it coming, but really, there has got to be a better way to do it!

I agree with Mr. Dingell. Sen. Shelby and Bob Corker are a disgrace. Saw Corker on media circuit dodging and ducking and making a fool of himself. What a self serving idiot! This our time to voice our opinion and let our reps hear from us ....

…. this is not right …. THIS IS NOT, repeat NOT the time to turn our backs on auto industry …. This economy can't take any more job losses …. We got to keep them alive until this economy recovers …. Please write to to your reps … I just sent a letter to Sen. Shelby.

H'ble Sen. Mr. Shelby:

I'm writing to express my displeasure on your stance on the auto industry bridge loan proposal.

The country is in a dire condition. Unemployment rates are at historic high. More and more businesses are shutting their doors on employees. Families are struggling to meet ends meet. I had never seen such a low and depressive situation in this country.

Mr. Shelby, you and your colleagues had done a very unpatriotic act today in killing the auto loan package and by putting the livelihood of millions of blue collar workers of big 3 and a vast network of related companies. Stock futures for tomorrow are looking miserable. Asian markets are dropping already. Your (in)action has resulted in adding fuel to an already burning wild fire of faltering economy. I did not expect this kind of insensitive and reckless decision from a thoughtful person like you.

Like me, millions of hapless Americans are distraught by the Senate's action today.

I'm in no way related to the auto industry, except that I own a couple of cars. But, I can feel the pain and the helplessness that each and every blue collar worker is going through right now. And, hope you would too.

I sincerely request that you reconsider your action and help the struggling big 3. I'm confident that when once the economy improves they will flourish too and repay the tax payers with interest. WE NEED THEM for our present and for this country's future.

Thank you and God bless …

Respectfully,

What really ticks me off is listening to McConnell, Shelby et al pontificate about workers taking a pay cut when I didn't hear boo out of any of them when their rich banking and finance buddies came looking for a $700 billion handout. No talk of a paycut for THEM, even though they were RESPONSIBLE for the majority of the banking mess to begin with. Why should the UAW take it on the chin? Only rich people are allowed to get richer? The average worker can make SOME money, but not too much??? Talk about elitism.

And for all of you pushing for bankruptcy instead of a bridge loan, just wait until you're looking at 10+% unemployment rates in your state. If you people outside of Michigan seriously think that the end of the auto industry as we know it won't affect your way of living, you are in for a RUDE awakening. If the big 3 go down, it will take what's left of this economy down with it.

I'm sorry, but anyone who thinks that a Republican gives a crap about the American worker is just an idiot.

That's bogus. You don't blame southern GOP for the fallout and first of all, I think is disrespectful that he's picking a certain group and second, the GOP in particular have been opposed to this for a good time. At least they are talking but is gonna take a little more than what Hillary said about my boy in the primaries..."Let's all sit and wait and hope the skies will smile and everyone will be happy...(God, I hate her husband, LOL!)."

I do feel bad for the millions of people that are being affected and let's do in fact show a good gesture that we do care about them, especially that is the holidays. This time is about being together and striving to help one another. The lord wouldv'e want this...

As my favorite cable person now (sorry Countdown Host.. ) RM would say .. lame duck watch!!!

Since when does the GOVERNMENT have the right to bail out bankrupt businesses with tax money volun-told to be contributed by the working public? So much emphasis is placed on the POOR WORKING people that will suffer IF a bailout is not given, is so much political blue smoke filling the air. Without proper over-sight and concessions by the UAW the $$$ today will be squandered with the $$$ of yesterday. Next to the government, there is few industries operating with such a low level of ETHICS as that of the automovtive industry as_ a whole. I bought my LAST NEW car in 1984 after getting caught up in the devious tangled web of what was billed as a "LEMON LAW." The BBB the corporate office of the AUTOMOTIVE manufacturer, GM . . . and the so called UNBIASED arbitrators that are being paid by the MANUFACTURE, who also pays for the office space at the BBB in St. Louis, MO are all guilty of scheming to hold themselves out to be one thing while clearly wearing the cloake of a rabbid fox.
I AM GRATEFUL THAT I AM ALIVE AND BENG ABLE TO SEE THE POSSIBILITY OF GM GOING BELLY UP; A WELL DESERVED AWARD THAT THEY CAN HANG ON THEIR WALLS.

Maybe the southern senators are just a little more informed than the good ole boys up north give them credit for. See, the southern people average about 8.00 an hour and the Senators have watched their people struggle for too long. You yankees brag about what a good life GMC gave you, buying three houses, college etc. Well, down here in the south the majority have to spend 2/3 of their paycheck for some piece of crap rental housing and barely make it payday to payday. And yeah, we pay taxes too. maybe not as much because we don't make as much but trust me, those taxes hurt when it comes time to buy groceries. It seems that only the states where corruption is prevalant and big bucks flow into politicians hands, does the way of living exsist above the poverty level. Down here in the south, we fight to stay republican because we want equality. The majority of democrats here are kicking back on welfare and foodstamps and loathe to see their way of life change. Fortunately, I live in a county where one has to work for their welfare and foodstamps unless you have small children or are disabled. Guess you can see why we are having a baby boom of democrats huh? Some people will always find away around the rules. I thank god for our leaders here who are actually for the people. Government is getting too big.

Why does everyone think an autoworker makes $70 an hour? That' simply not true.

What Dingell doesn't seem to remember is that the bill did not have the support of the majority of Americans. Polls repeatedly show the majority of Americans against both the auto and financial bailouts.

Those crazty Dems are at it again: saving American taxpayers from having to fund years of top-down mismanagement, over-priced and gas guzzling vehicles, and just down-right backward thinking stupidity. Of all the nerve.

Why is it we resort to blaming people? Dingell has been in Congress for five decades and it shows. Hopefully Obama can help change this culture of blaming everybody when something doesn't go right. The blame should be with the US auto makers. GM and Toyota made approximately the same number of vehicles last year. Difference in profits – over $50 billion. TM made money, GM lost (and lots of it).

to Terri D.
You wrote:
We contribute to our community with our tax dollars and by supporting local trade (markets, restaurants, cleaners, service stations, malls etc.). We have taken a big cut in medical benefits at the beginning of this year. For most of the years my husband was employed, we had free health care but now we have a Blue Cross plan which we have to pay for all office and lab fees.
I've been working since 1975 supporting our community merchants and I've always had to pay for office and lab visits. And I made a lot less per hour that the average unionized auto worker. And I am supposed to feel sorry for your current situation?

conservative indepent: you do realize that the two political parties flip flopped on what they believe, dems yes many decades ago were the party of states rights and were southern racists, and republicans like lincoln fought for a stronger federal gov and was opposed to slavery, but to use that as the example to discredit the left is just silly.

Just like republicans to cut off their nose to spit their face. What a bunch of idiots, nothing like putting a couple million more American out of work. Let's pour billion into overseas markets.

I work for a japan auto parts co , that 50% of our work is for GM AND Ford I am ashamed of both of my senators, I HOPE GOD WILL FORGIVE THEM because I will ever be able to ,from a Tn.auto worker

Hey Jason, who posted at 5:31 - Read your history!

The Republican party was founded in large part by abolitionists seeking to end slavery. For 100 years after the civil war, the segregated south was solidly Democratic because the north during the civil war was led by Republicans, who liberated the southern slaves. Think what you want about the modern-day party, but from your comment, I would say you are as close-minded as you are ignorant. Get out more and learn something.

Here is just another old fart that needs to retire.

My bad, I rounded up a bit. $69.00 per hour which includes all the benefits. At least that is according to AP. And that crack about my mama was sweet. I like that from the Party that cares.

Its hard to live in the south if you stand up for something different than the status quo you get booted – believe me I know – I voted for Obama (more importantly a "black" man) now I am disowned! but i vote my concious and i look at everyone for what they are.

Those who have an issue with money will never have any money. It reminds me of the joke about a man who told his wife that when he died he wanted to be buried with all of his money. The wife's friends told her that his request was ridiculous. Upon his death, one of her friends asked if she was foolish enough to bury the money with him. She replied, "Yes" I wrote him a check. The point is that some people should not put there hang up with money on the world. Some of us believe in abundance. And we trust that the universe will provide.

TO NO INCUMBENTS 2010!!!!!

Please just stop blogging already, you are making my stomach turn, and you are just like the rest of the STUPID republicans, think you know everything. CNN is fair and balanced you sound like you should be on the website of FOX NEWS, with BILL"O the CLOWN, BOy looking VAN, and NOTHING HANNITY!!!!!

BYE! GO, if you are reading this you are still here!!! GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let them go bankrupt. I am certain that the US taxpayer would much prefer to pick up GM's 56 Billion unfunded pension plan versus giving them $8 Billion to stay operating (Not sure how unfunded Chrysler and Ford's are.). Bankruptcy won't end the unions. It will simply void the contract and then the negotiating starts all over again. Of course, all those suppliers – the same suppliers who work for Toyota, Honda, etc. – will have to declare bankruptcy too and probably need to shut down for awhile. No problem! we'll just buy American-made foreign cars ... once the manufacturers are able to get new suppliers (If they can). Otherwise, we'll just send even more money out of the country.

Here is the New Deal for the south

Do not buy a car if it is manufactured below the mason dixon line and ironically, you will be buying for the United States of America.

Buying American today means buyiing anything imported into the country.

Serious as hell!

Lets B Real here, this seems to be the republicans last major stand before they loose a majority and the white house over the next 2 years or so. It's sad to see that the republicans are going down this road. I believe that the stipulations within the bailout will make the automakers more productive in putting out a better product. I also believe that the senators in our southern states are pushing a specific agenda and that is to protect the south and make things tougher for the Dems as they take over of the white house. If they are upset about salaries being 50 to 70 dollars per hour for some auto workers well then good for the auto workers, we can be mad at them that is what they were able to negotiate for there job then so be it. If we are going to start taking money back for poor performance lets start with our politicians, the last 8 years have not been very productive for our country.

No one has mentioned that in addition to the excessive benefits package union workers get, there's another factor; the cars they build for the big 3 (with a few exceptions) are JUNK and not worth the price people are forced to pay. Yes, crappy leadership had a lot to do with this too. Add the 3 together...union stupidity and greed, mismanagement and more greed, plus a lousy product and it is no wonder that companies like Toyota have shot to the front of the line.

Charlie NJ...may I put the blame on you, then? The facts you state are untrue. GM autoworkers make nowhere near $70.00 an hour. My spouse retired @2 years ago making under $30.00 an hour...that's after having worked there for 30 years.

And just because you irritated me, I would like to suggest you learn about compound words, commas in a series, apostrophes, when to capitalize, homonyms...

A mistake is one thing, but sheesh.

Why weren't the CEO's of the miserable financial institutions like AIG told that they needed to forfiet their benifits and take pay cuts or present a timeline and plan before they received their loot!!!
Why doesn't Fuld give back all the millions he made in salary and bonuses?? These CEO made out like robber barons and real theives while the average workers in the Auto industry are made to give up so much because they supposedly " make too much.' Give me a break!!!!
These southern Republicans make me so sick!!!

GM doesn't deserve a loan now. It NEEDS to go bankrupt. Only in Chapter 11 bankruptcy will it truly be able to restructure the way it needs. Chapter 11 is restucturing and Chapter 7 is liquidation. The public needs to know the difference. The fear-mongers act as if the Detroit 3 will be liquidated and disappear. No, they will be restructured and emerge smaller, stronger and more competitive and do it quicker than if they had to restructure without the protection of Chapter 11.

And in Chapter 11, there is something called debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing. With all the billions poured into the banks lately, there is plenty of money for a DIP loan of any conceivable size, which GM should be able to get as soon as it has a realistic plan to turn itself around.

Chapter 11 works for the airlines, the steel mills, the parts suppliers, retailers and every other sector in America. It is a well-designed and effective law. What makes the auto industry so special it can't follow the same rules as everyone else? It has no real plan and it just wants a handout to get into next year when a new administration will be in place that is more likely to embrace a European-style, socialist-protectionist industrial policy.

Labor overwhelmingly supported Obama and now they need Republicans to support their undeserved bailout. Only in America. Go figure. In a world economy your wage is determined by whoever can do your job and for whatever wage they are willing to do it and do it adequately. I am sure no unionized auto workers go to Walmart and buy those Chinese made goods. What goes around comes around.

The President needs to act quickly and should make a public statement condemning the Senates inability to work together and ACT to protect the American Economy in a responsible fashion. They would prefer to play politics and let the country go down the drain. They keep ridiculing the auto makers for their CEOs big salaries and line workers big salaries and profit loses but look at what they get paid. Look at all the benefits they rake in and when was the last time the Federal Government turned a profit? They ridicule the auto makers for coming the tax payers for money when they approve legislation to use the same tax payer money to buy $800.00 toilet seats and such. They need to look to there own affairs too.

Here's one thing that hasn't been mentioned yet:

GM employees get less actual money per hour than Toyota employees. They "make more" overall, though, because of extra perks and benefits: retirement funds, workers-comp protections, and–oh yeah, HEALTH CARE.

Gee, if only we had a national health care system, GM wouldn't be on the hook for that money, and then (according to the *Senate Republicans*, mind you) there wouldn't be a problem.

Just sayin'.

I know that soon to be President Obama and his congressional liberal cronies will eventually give the big 3 what they want. After all, Obama did get $50 million from the unions. They want payback.

What I do not understand is what President Bush is doing? Why liberals hate this guy with all his generous spending at taxpayers' expense for the past 8 years, I will never understand.

This is exactly why Detroit has failed! You've got guys in politics for five decades, and yet most americans can't see the parallels of status-quo,and never having to worry about failure. Most of todays politicians (mentality/complacensy) are out of touch. We desparately need, "Term Limits" in this country,because the way I see it ,most of our politicians have one foot on a banana peel, and the other one in the grave,...

If Congress had not given Paulson and Wall Street $700 BILLION Americans might as a whole been more receptive to bailing out/loaning the big 3 ALL of the $34 billion they wanted. We got soaked big time and have NOTHING to show for it....unfortunately the auto industry blue collar workers will suffer while Wall Streets white shirts will have a very nice Christmas:(.

The people of this country didn't approve of the bailout because they're greedy. They don't want to pay an extra 15 bucks to help the 3 million autoworkers whose jobs are on the line.

They had no problem giving $700 Billion to Wall Street (Which CNBC says is really closer to $3 Trillion) and about $150 Billion (so far) to AIG but ZERO to automotive industry. Only a moron would think that bankruptcy doesn't matter. Who would buy a car from a manufacturer who was in bankruptcy knowing there's a likelihood that the warranty won't exist? And who in their right mind would buy a car from a company in bankruptcy where the write-down will far exceed any company not in the same situation? And what kind of moron would vote no and suggest bankruptcy when filing will result in ending the pension plan which cause Pension Guaranty folks (Funded by U.S. Taxpayers) to pick up the bill? BTW, GM's pension plan is currently unfunded to the tune of $56 BILLION. Didn't waste my time looking at Ford or Chrysler's. Figure it can't be important or the geniuses from the Southern states would have checked it out.

What about the 2 million people who were laid off prior to the auto bailout? Where's their bailout? And anyone who thinks the loss of those jobs hasn't had a devastating affect on the economy should think again.

as a resident of alabama, im in deed very proud of our senators. sen shelby and sessions have stood up to the dems power play and this ill advised bail out. asa earlier writer stated, most are against this bail out. if the automakers cant make it, so be it. if we as average working folks mismanage our finances guess what happens?????????
soooooooooo, no bail out, learn how to run your company's better and get the union outta the car business.

The blame is as follows:

The executives: No innovation and think global warming is "bull****" (Lutz who's in charge of the Volt program said this). Arrogant management, bad engineering, making vehicles people didn't want.

The UAW: Expecting to receive a paycheck at 95% compensation when you're laid off is crazy – NO ONE gets that in America (probably should but don't). Expecting to not have to contribute to your health plan, same thing, the rest of us have to – we need UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE!!!!

Dealers: Raping the public for as much money as they could any chance they got, being greedy and doing business with NO integrity – people are giving them a big FU.

Republican Senators: UNION BUSTING – THAT'S ALL THEY'RE DOING!!

Drive a Honda – the handling is amazing. Sorry, but it is what it is.

Here's a thought – why don't one of them submit a plan that they will pair up with those who are developing alternative fuel vehicles. There are several AMERICAN's who are trying – get together and let's get this done!

You know....maybe I don't get it but isn't GM basically just asking the government for a fraction of the the BILLIONS and BILLIONS of dollars that they have paid in taxes over the years. Why is the media making it sound like this money is coming from the people? GM probably pays more taxes than anyone and now they just need some of it loaned back to them during a tough economy.

But when it comes to the banks and their shady mortgage deals.....no questions asked.

So it's ok for the Michigan reps to act in the best interest of their constituents, but not ok when a southern rep does the same? It's their job to represent the people that elected them.

Everyone will be better off in the long run if we allow the Big 3 to "fail" (i.e. go bankrupt). Their current business model does not work, and hasn't been working for decades. They're losing money at a historic pace. Any money we give them now just gives them less incentive to change their ways. Paying bad companies to make terrible cars that no one wants is a horrible idea.

It is interesting that the media tries to slant the news to make the Republican minority in the Senate the bad guys in withholding bail out money for the big three automakers until certain conditions are met. Yet at the same time, over 60% of those American public polled think there should not be an auto bail out. Doesn't that make the Democratic majority and the MSM the real bad guys for going against the will of the people?

First of all let me state that the 70 dollars an hour is not standard in detroit. I have a friend who is from there. The average pay for them is about 28 dollars an hour. Second. It is sad in america when we loose our own cars. I buy only american cars. I have gotten better gas mileage and less repairs from american cars. I think unless the government fixes the problems the conservatives and replublicans caused for six years, we are screwed. Hopefully Obama can do it. Cause republicans only care about themselves. Trust me I lived in a state where republican law is held. And they are the poorest state, take the most money from the federal government and pay the least amount of taxes. The rich can afford the taxes. They only need one house and their kids need jobs to afford their cars. I was raised by a man who survived the depression and he would be rolling in digust if he saw what republicans have done.

Don't bailout these over paid UAW workers. The UAW is a greedy bunch of people. What are they going to do when the Big three all fail and all those peole lose their jobs? They should have made some concessions with their salary. These autoworkers are so over paid is is crazy. I live in California and i wish I had these Southern Senators representing CA and not Boxer and Feinstein.

maybe the reason it failed is because a lot of americans dont want to support another failing company with public funds. if we are going to nationalize an industry, maybe we should try healthcare. I would not give them money for a crappy american car, and I am glad that they were not able to use lobbyists to steal the money out of my pocket.

The Republicans continue to act like NEGATIVE, nasty JERKS! I don't necessarily agree with the auto bailout, but every day, all you see are Republicans giving Obama a hard time, or being critical of Congress. Their party is going to DIE because they offer nothing positive, no suggestions of their own,

Lead the way southern senator repubs. Take the same concessions you expect of the UAW in good faith. Let the American people know, after what you did, YOU are willing to sacifice.

A major problem in Washington still CONTINUES to be people playing politics over governing. Every member of the GOP and the Dems need to stand back and take a real close look at themselves, are they voting for what they feel is BEST for the overall country or are they voting for what is "best" for the party or a particular region.

The fact that 60% of Americans think one oway on ANY subject should mean LITTLE or NOTHING to our representatives. The fact, and most Americans apparently do not know this or understand this, is that WE ARE NOT A DEMOCRACY!!! Contrary to what every politician tells you their job is not to parrot what their constituents say. We are a Representative Republic. We elect our officials to vote for what they believe is in the best interest of our region and our country as a whole. If they are proven wrong in their decisions then we can vote them out of office but if you are voting for someone because they say what you want to hear YOU are doing a great disservice to this country and YOU are the reason this country has grown disfunctional. Plain and simple fact folks stop believing the crap you are told and start looking onto the facts!
idiots

Perhaps its the Southern Senators who are not in the back pockets of the lig unions up north–perhaps its the Southern Senators who realize that the unions are in no way going to cooperate or compromise in an honest effort to save the auto industry–its all about union greed–pure and simple. Maybe it was the Southern Senators who recognized that.

I am glad the Republican Senators blocked the bill. and I am a Democrat who voted for Obama.
the "big 3" make cars no one wants, have for years and years refused to listen to the American public about what to build etc, etc.
Now they want billions and billions in tax dollars to save theit butts. Well, guess what – let them go bankrupt. Someone will buy them and start making cars we want.

But don't question their patriotism!

Congressman Dingell is absolutely right!

And, unfortunately, Senator Shelby of Alabama is the worst among them. The media should investigate all of these Senators. In Senator Shelby's case he is engaging in union busting plain and simple. That, plus Mercedes, Hyndai, Honda and Toyota are all strong in this state and undoubtedly contributing large funds to his political coffers.

Forget about the workers though, none of the plants we have are union shops. Senator Shelby and the others should be ashamed of themselves selling American workers, American manufacturers, and ultimately American jobs down the river.

If we lose these American companies do you really think we can count on Japanese and German companies in time of war to build what we we need to defend ourselves?

They need to be investigated, impeached or jailed!

Also, the hedge fund managers make an average of $800,000,000.00 per year. Go get your MBA fools.GGGGGGGG

Gee Teri D, if you husband hadn't been making crappy cars, and belonged to a mafia run union, GM might of had a chance... Tough life for you huh? 3 homes, college, and money to spend...

tell that crappy sob story to the people at Republic Door and Window in Chicago who had to do a "sit in" just to get there back earned vacation money. Where is there bailout? Where is my bailout? I hope they never buy a crappy GM again... I know i wont.

LET ME BE REAL CLEAR FOR YOU, YOUR HUSBAND'S WORK, ANY LINE WORK, AT GM IS NOT WORTH 73 $ AN HOUR.... YOU HATE OPEC FOR CARTELING OIL PRICES, BUT ITS OKAY FOR YOUR UNION TO CARTEL WAGES... DOUBLE STANDARD LIBERAL!

Nobody cares about the workers, and nobody should... Its business!!! Go work for the English government if you want job security!!

I'm no fan of the UAW, however, this loan needs to happen. The economy can't stand the failure of our entire manufacturing base. The transplant companies share over 50% of the supply base with the (truly) American companies, thus would have to bail out of the US and head home as the suppliers fail.

It's time for a little "economic patriotism" – buy American and help the entire country.

Oh, and by the way southerners, the next time you need help during a hurricane – look to each other. The north won't be bothered with you!

Also, the hedge fund managers make an average of $800,000,000.00 per year. Go get your MBA fools.GGGGGGGG

Texas outlaw, I too am a Texan. I appreciate you, you sound intelligent. My biggest problem with the things our government does and no offense mainly democrats, is that they feel, that it is their responsibility to take care of people who either do not need and even sometimes do not want it. In this case however it is an effort to save jobs, very noble, but another problem I have is people do not take it all the way to its logical conclusion. This is not the first time this has happened and will probably not be the last. If people lose their jobs, who is to say that, they will not open their own auto industry or think about it – with the Big 3 out of the way, the remaining auto makers will see an increase in production, thus requiring more employees.
You speak of the republicans taking care of the fat cats, that is the pot calling the kettle black considering the Democrats have lined there own pockets with Union ill gotten gain for years.
And finally let's ask the question who is next? How many workers are important? What if Mom and Pop go under 4 employees are not that important? While you Dems are at it let's put a stop to government healthcare, it would be noble thing to do considering how many insurance workers would be unemployed, or wouldn't that number be just as devastating?

Take back the 700B for those white collar crooks who are just hoarding it anyway and give a tiny fraction of it to the blue-collar workers of America!!

I HATE the idea of a bailout. But I HATE the idea of another Depression even more!

The financial bailout is BS. The auto bailout will save jobs.

Unions did not cause this problem. White collar criminals and their greedy plans to make millions off of obscure credit default swaps etc caused the problem.

Give the autos the money. Just place heavy restrictions on it, so that when things improve we get the money back!

I mean seriously, would you buy an American car now?
This first bailout is just the start. Name someone you know, with this turned down economy, that is going to buy a new American car.
I really don't see anyone buying American cars in the future unless the US auto industry is secure.
So with that said, how about giving every American some sort of coupon (5 to 10 thousand) towards the purchase of a new American car.
This insures that they can and will continue manufacturing cars. It also keeps the bailout money out of the hands of the management that mismanaged the companies in the first place.
If people are not going to buy the cars than there is no need for a bailout, because the American car industry is already over.

Hey!!!

Make them pay those people in south more money.
Make laws so that they make more money to help, since I would not buy no cars from the south. Law needed to ensure those auto makers provide insurances for all workers working for them.

Let help our auto makers. Give them money. Also, give the families the 10 Million dollars that Bank of America is going to give that CEO.

Enough with the bail outs till there is some oversight of what is done with the money. None of the bail outs to wall steet, AIG, the banking industry have so far done absolutely nothing.

Southern senators? No it is not them, it is the people here. I live in Georgia and I will tell you something about some southerners, they see everything in black and White. The South has the most uneducated people in America and that is why they cannot process any information.

midwesteners boycott any southern state that voted against the bailout.especially alabama.

Good! the big 3 should go under!

Oh, I love this. People blaming the republicans for the auto industry's failings. No one bailed my job out when we were laid off due to this financial crisis.

Ask not what you can do for yout country; ask what you can do for your stinking/neanderthal anti-workers ideology.Talk about the tail trying to wag the dog. How do these Southern fascists think they are helping anyone with these games they insist on playing. They are practically foaming at the mouth with the thought they can destoy the U.A.W. in one fell swoop. Never mind that they are playing with the lives of millions of American citizens. These idiots make me sick!!!

To those that disapprove of the senate republican's actions: why do you think that auto companies are thriving in the South? Maybe companies are relocating there due to lower taxes and the better economy.

What is the REAL problem with the big 3 auto industry? Wikipedia helps:
"Michigan supported Democrats in the last five presidential elections. Democrats have won each of the last three, nine of the last ten, and fifteen of the last eighteen U.S. Senate elections in Michigan. Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat, recently won a second term"

DEMOCRATS are choking your economy, and you keep voting them in.

Is it just me or have our elected officials FORGOTTEN that they represent the CITIZENS of the state who notimated them! Why would they vote yes when more than 50% of the poplation does NOT want the bailout!!!!!!!And for this jerk to toss up the word "PARTIOTISM" for the AMERICAN WORKER and the BIG 3!!! Hello..these international automakers are employing AMERICAN workers and are successful and have a successful business plan! Rep. Dingell needs to take a LONG HARD LOOK at what constitutes being PATRIOTIC! Was Ford PATRIOTIC when they closed down the plant in Atlanta? Doesn't Ford own a manufacturing plant outside of the U.S.? WHY O WHY should the AMERICAN taxpayers have to bailout a CORPORATION that had poor business plans, failed to keep up with what the AMERICAN public wanted and needed to buy? Rep. Dingell, I served my country and I am VERY PARTIOTIC, but big business did not care about the AMERICAN public or their needs. They just wanted our money. Rep. Dingell, I say to you, if you're not smart enough to grasp why the taxpayer shouldn't bail the Big 3 out, I feel sorry for the state of Michigan for voting for you and you can kiss my AMERICAN PATRIOTIC BUTT!!!!

who is Prescott Bush?

We search required.

Lots of cars in the port of LA, CA from those auto makers in the south.

If the south wants to take away our auto industry, Fine, Take away their NASCAR

UAW refused to take pay cuts, so they can go bankrupt. UAW salaries are not competitive, so they need to be dealt with fairly. Most people don't get guaranteed salary.

Now mind you, the executives should get major pay cuts too. The big 3 are not competitive. The GOVT should not bail out an industry unless they are willing to be competitive.

This is exactly what is going to keep the Republicans from gaining anymore sets in the House and Congress and from the White House......you people that are against this auto loan, you must think that this isn't going to effect you........but it is going to hurt everyone in every state in this country, from big companies to the small companies, it will effect all........Republicans don't think that the people of this country aren't going to blame you if they lose their jobs, which will lead to them losing their homes, can't send their children to college, can't feed their families...........this will hit all business that aren't even affiliated with the auto industry, because if they lose their jobs, they won't be able to take their families out to eat........get their hair or nail done so this is going to trickle down to all of us..........so if you think this is going to effect only the auto industry you better get you head out of the sand.......

you all are a bunch of fools... Unions are destroying this country. How much feakin industry do you all think will be left if unions controlled everything. 0, none, zilch..

Unions make China look very appealing to busnisess. Unions are a bunch of greedy f'ers that deserve to die by the same greed they live by. And to bring patriotism into this? You leftist idiots spit on your own troops, yet praise socialism. I would love to kick all you morons out of here. Go put on your pink panties. So now us Rep. are haters, discriminators, unpatriotic, etc... You liberals are the biggest bunch of hippy pus((ies i have ever seen.

And you you TEXAS OUTLAW, if you love and praise socialism so much, get the %$$ out of here and go live in Canada. But don't preach your line of Sh#$ to me....

I don't approve of giving a penny to companies like Chrysler, which are owned by private equity firms which specialize in liquidity. I hate this bailout even more than the bank bailout and I'm glad it failed.

Jason,

I am a conservative. And am strongly against any bailout. No member of my family stepped foot on US soil until the 1920s Therefore, they, like many Americans had NOTHING to do with slavery and are quite sick of the sterotypes. Infact they came here to escape the communism/dictators in Europe at the time. Seriously get over yourself and quit using the race card.

First of all Carol...you're a racist. Yes, you called out against white males. So shut your face. Second of all, UAW workers are getting 75/hr (w/ benefits). I work at Honda (in IT...not on the line), and the wokers there are getting paid w/out benefits, 24/hr. To me, being an unskilled labor, that's pretty good money...and they have excellent benefits. The UAW outpriced themselves in today's market and the profit margin for the big three ten years ago was very slim to begin with. But workers kept getting bigger and bigger raises where it ate away the companies profits.

I'm sorry, but getting $75/hour is crazy for an unskilled laborer. You have to go w/ the market and these guys on the line in Detroit have just overpriced themselves. Not the workers fault, but the stupid unions they work for.

Also, their pensions are ridiculous. Every car that rolls out off the GM line, $2,000 goes to pensions. How in the world does a company profit by that? I say it's both the UAW and management of the big three are at fault.

RightWingit

-I believe that those senators would like the plants in THEIR state to get more business hence their vote. Funny, why are THEY not being investigated for 'pay to play' regarding THIS vote???

-I believe that since we bailed out the Financial industry with 700 BILLION already..........a 30 billion LOAN for the auto industry is not out of order. But the auto industry in the US is sick and needs revamping.

Rep. Dingell is right on the money! This defeat at the hands of a band of Southern senators is typical of the mentality in the South. They are traditionalists, opposed to change, spiteful politicians who would sacrifice the rest of this country rather than legislate for what is best for the whole country. Obama's victory rankles them beyond belief. And they will do their very best to thwart the good intentions and sound policies of this "uppity" black man. American history has been scarred by the intransigence of the Southern mentality from the American Revolution to the Civil War to Jim Crow Laws to the KKK to conflicts with science and organized religion to the Civil Rights Movement to anything remotely connected with progress, humanity and equality.The rest of the country must stand firm against this destructive mentality.

Wow, now all the screwups are "Southern Things".

Gee I guess the GOP Senators finally got their chance to stick it to those "liberal" unions, didn't they? Yeah that's REALLY putting "country first." And they have the audacity to call Democrats "Anti-American".

Rep. Senators wanted Michigan UAW workers to take a pay cut, so they say. But then they lumped the pensions of 500,000 UAW retirees into the "total pay" formula. The Southern-based transplants don't have a boat-load of retirees to support, so what they actually demanded wasn't salary parity. The Repulicans wanted the Michigan UAW (and not GM management) to take a pay cut to a take-home salary that is way less than is made by their Kentucky counterparts. And then when UAW said ok, the Republicans demanded that they name a date. And when the UAW said "no date", the Republicans sunk GM, and went home. If the UAW had agreed to a date, the Republicans would've found another reason to kill this bill. This is just the first of their list of demands that the UAW said "no" to.

georgia senator chambliss voted against the bailout, but he's working on a project that will cost millions of dollars, does he expect the taxpayers to pay for his fish project. i vote NO!

The Republican senators are so unpatriotic. How the !@#$!@ the Republican senators voted for $700 billion BAILOUT for the banking industry but they couldn't vote for $14 billion LOAN for the big 3 auto??? It's because they are the banking industry, their own shares are tied to the banking, so of course they voted for their own pockets. The Republican senators also wanted to punish the UAW...

I find it really interesting that we can all quote with no hesitation how much the average union worker (which the $70 figure is a completely fabricated number) makes, but we don't even care about what the average hedge fund manager makes that was bailed out without any strings attached last month. Seriously, after everything that has happened, are we still so in lover with corporate America? Get real here people. Why the double standard here?
Do we seriously like hedge fund managers more in this country then the blue collar worker? Do we seriously think that the mortgage industry that came up with the most unethical loans in the planet that started this whole mess should a bailout to the tune of 700 billion dollars that WILL NOT be repaid, but the 15 billion dollars for the auto industry that is a LOAN that could prevent the next great depression is not reasonable? Seriously, you just want to focus on the union workers? Well kiss your 401k goodbye if that's your attitude.

Also, do we really want to outsource all of our advanced battery technology overseas and be in the exact same situation that we are right now where we have to get all of our energy from somewhere other than America? Have we learned nothing? Keeping the auto industry in America will at least give us a chance to keep the most advanced battery technology in our borders. I can't imagine a better national security policy than that. Oh, and by the way the average salary for a hedge fund manager is 540 million dollars. The average salary of a new auto worker in 2010 will be 52,000. Get your facts people.

all of you who believe the talking points of the republicans should read more. first of all the $70/hour includes fringe benefits, that's health insurance, secondly the cost of living is higher in the north so therefore wages should be higher, come on keep up...republicans are always looking out for themselves; blue collar workers who vote for republicans need to get a clue

We Southerners have been kicked in the gut too many times and suffered loss by others in the country for far too long. How does it feel Senator Dingell?

This bailout is not a option. It has to be done. Every senator who are responsible in making this bailout a failure have fail the american people and need to be removed.. This is about the greatest nation in the worlld not been competitive in the auto industry.. These guy were manufacturing auto before these asian and european companies, But thing went wrong and we have to understand, now is the time that we support them as they have realize their mistake and need our help in regaining their rightful # 1 position .

Norris Monger
silver spring md

I think this is a case of sour grapes on the part of this particular Senator! He sounds like a spoiled brat who didn't get his way. The truth is that the failure of the big 3 will impact parts suppliers who will in turn impact the foreign auto makers with a domestic presence. This trickle down effect will hurt foreign and domestic car manufacturers. Besides are the only American autoworkers those that work in Detroit?

Since when did we reward failure? Let the foreign guys who have gotten it right buy the domestic guys who are abject failures and let us get cars we can afford and that are built with the highest quality!

Yeah, Dingell, let's be very clear about what happened last night. The deal tripped up on one point: the willingness of the UAW (and the Senate Dems) to set a date for labor contract re-structuring. If GM goes chapter 11, those contracts will get re-structured, anyway. That's what killed the deal. The worker's union.

UAW members - your union will be putting you out of jobs because of the union's brinksmanship.

The southern senators were protecting taxpayers.

Hopefully Bush won't step in and screw the taxpayers now.

THANK GOD FOR CLEAR THINKING SOUTHERN CONGRESSMEN AND CONGRESS WOMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am confused! what is the REAL hourly wage of the average auto worker in the union? I have heard $25.00 from the UAW president, and $75.00 from the anti-union faction. Is fact too much to hope for?
Voting as a block to destroy unions serves no one. How about honest negotiations and intelligent results? A strictly supervised Loan?

I like your comments and am in aggreemnt"No Incumbents 2010".

I just find it so funny how dems and liberals are so quick to blame the republicans. Both parties at all levels are EQUALLY responsible for the financial crisis and their inaction to get anything major accomplished. They just continue to waste tax payer time and money.

Liberals continue to think of only themselves.

Let's go ahead and take the easy way out, while we screw our children and their children and their children with unbelieveable amounts of debt. At least then I can still have my flat screen TV, iPhone, and not have to sacrifice for my generations screw ups.

Nobody wants to see thousands of auto workers out of jobs. In Alabama, we have Mercedes, Honda, Hyundai, and other auto plants who are laying off workers and shutting down production causing a strain in the pocket books of thousands down here too. The trouble with the bailout is that you can't shove billions of one dollar bills in a cracked wall and call it caulk. Our big three have greater problems long term than cashflow and that's the reason Sentate Republicans, including a vocal majority from the south, voted it down. Lets see a thorough long term plan and know exactly how our dollars are going to make a difference in the next 12-18 months before we throw all this money away. Money, I might add, that we're borrrowing from Asian countries who are turning right around and improving on cars and trucks that are viable for us to buy.

By the way, "jason:" I am lilly white, consider myself a good ol' boy, am proud of my southern heritage, and I voted for a black man for president. Don't be so quick to generalize.

Maybe they'll secede from the US again...

The south lost the war. Deal with it. Giving the Big 3 is the best medicine for the USA.

Give them the money. We'll print more.

This is nothing more than a brazen attempt to take down labor unions. The republicans in the senate would like us all to believe that labor costs are the sole reason why our auto makers are in the toilet when that is simply not true. An industry slow to react to changes in the market is more likely the real cause. Republicans have done enough damage. I don't want them touching anything for the next 38 days.

Good!!!!!!!!!

It ain't over until it's over.......me thinks this still has some life to it.

$700 million for the financial industry and not a penny for American auto makers? Cut me a brake (sp;-) This is a brazen attempt by Republicans to kill the auto unions, and also to feather their own nests by supporting foreign auto makers in their home states.

Funny how, if you look at the electoral map, most of the plants that would close are in states that went to Obama.

The irony is that most everyone but the rich in the southern states have been disadvantaged by this anti-union dynamic that keeps wages and benefits at such miserly levels. Ever notice how Walmart owns the South? And the poor fools keep voting Republican. Guess they are getting what they deserve...

It seems to me that this bailout is not of the auto companies but their workers and retirees. This bailout comes not from the government but from American taxpayers. How does one justify asking American workers, most of whom make far less in pay and benefits, to provide money to protect the bloated benefits that the UAW retirees were promised?

For years the UAW has extracted compensation that many said would be ruinous to their industry. The chickens have come home to roost. Workers that have to make due with Medicare and Social Security in their retirement should not be asked to pay for the lavish pensions and health care expected by UAW retirees.

georgia's senator chambliss voted against the bailout, but he's putting millions of dollars into a tourist attraction for his home town, what about helping the economy before putting so much money in a project like this, many georgians like so many other states are suffering.

8 Democratic Senators either voted against or didn't vote, including VP-elect Biden, Kennedy and Kerry. Did Obama express his 'disappintment' to them? Because if they had supported it, that was 60 votes!

Jason, you are historically challenged. In the 1860's most slave owners were Democrats, and it was a Republican President that freed the slaves (Lincoln). Get educated.

Where are you getting this "$70.00" p/hour crap from??? You're mama doesn't even make $70.00 in a whole month selling herself on the streets.

When is the Government going to figure it out? The people have spoken and we are TIRED of bailouts. The auto industry, right down to the guys installing the bumpers could care less if we become late on a car payment and lose a major investment, not to mention our only transportation so why in the hell should we the people save their butts? Enough is enough. Let them file bankruptsy and go jobless just like the rest of us!!!!!

Once again, if the Democrats have the majority, how can the Republicans block the bill? Sounds like blaming someone for something they have no control over. Seems to me that there are some DEMOCRATS that don't want the bill!

I'm starting to believe more and more in that Russian intelligence report that stated the US will fracture in 50 years. I'll be glad to get rid of the south.

it's possible dingell's right. those imported plants are being built mostly in southern states, while the closing big three plants are mostly in the northern states. but chrysler has built so many cars in canada and mexico that i don't even think of them as a u.s. company anymore anyway.

As a southerner I don't remember having to pay for any foreign automakers to locate to the depressed south. And our state income has increased greatly with the employment they have brought to the area so my states standards have been greatly increased with no cost to its residents.
If you want to live in a socialist country that depends on government shoring up incompetent businesses, give France a try.

as I recall it was the Dem's back in the 1800's that were the slave masters and voting against Lincoln (a republican) when he was trying to end slavery.

All the parties have dirty hands. Don't go singling out the Republicans. By the way I'm not one....

BAIL HERE BAIL NOW!

BUY AMERICAN!

For those of you complaining about those that stood up against this bill, do you really thinking giving them 15 billion is going to change anything. Going bankrupt does not mean all jobs will be lost. Look at Delta and Northwest Airlines. You always talk about Republicans "fear-mongering" but what do you think the UAW and Dems are doing. Plus what about the pork? Do you know this bill includes raises for judges?

That's it, blame the workers not the people that run the companies for the problems that are happening with the company.
Contracts where signed on both ends of the deal.

Hurray for Southern Senators. GM needs to read up on chapter 11. It'll do 'em some good.

Um... "Get Real"... the people in the South don't run those companies. The Japanese do. And country of people who make so little that mortgages are for 100 year terms.

"No incumbents". First... you apparently have a job unlike nearly 10 million Americans now. (Soon to be nearly 13 million if you get your way.) Second... you obviously don't live in the affected parts of the country. Third... you obviously could care less about your fellow American, otherwise you wouldn't be so willing to let 2.9 million of them lose their jobs.

And finally? When an hour of labor costs $75, only $25 to $30 of that goes to the worker. The rest goes to benefits and corporate overhead (all those finance, accounting, marketing, etc... earners which I would guess you are one of.).

You are an incredibly selfish and petty person. How Republican of you.

Funny he forgets the dems that voted NO...
And the 5 like Obama, Biden, Kerry, etc... who didn't even show up...

They had enough to do it themselves... but didn't...

REMEMBER THAT

In the good ole days, Dingell would be caned on the senate floor for impugning the good name of Sens. Corker and Shelby.

You need someone to blame, BLAME THE CAR COMPANIES!
I am Southern and a Democrat and I agree with those that blocked it. Handing over cash with little to no liability to the same people who caused the problem in the first place helps NOONE.

No incumbents 2010 – not true! The % of Americans that are either pro or con is pretty much split (probably along party lines – as usual) get it together folks – stop listening to mis-informtion, thats what lost the GOP the election – too much mis-infomation!

From the article ... "Dingell said that Republican critics of the proposal could have had “many reasons for blocking this bill and thwarting the will of a majority of Congress,”

Yepper ... and perhaps one of them was listening to the much-vaunted (by Democrats) "will of the people". There isn't a survey on the street (outside of the UAW) that shows that Americans want another bailout.

Dear, The South,

If at first you don't secede, try, try again.

Jon, CNN did a survey a few days ago that indicated 60% of Americans did not approve of the bailout.

Jason – good God, man, its not possible that someone has valid reasons for disagreeing with you? Anyone who thinks differently than you is "evil?" Good Lord, what has this country come to?

$70+ is not the UAW pay rate; that's the fully burdened hourly rate. The foreign companies are in the $40 range – there is a $29 difference. The actual hourly pay rates are commensurate between the two workforces. Its the benefits, and things like job banks, retiree health care, and pensions that are so onerous for the Big 3.

The Big 3 have been held up as examples of what not to do for a very long time. They need to go bankrupt and restructure. Bankruptcy does not mean the companies will cease to exist – Chapter 11 will allow them to restructure. That is the way to long-term success; not this loan that will do nothing to incent actual change at the companies.

I live in Michigan and used to work for a company (Collins & Aikman)that supplied dash components exclusively for GM. We were a "third tier supplier" and not UAW. When we closed 5 years ago the UAW, GM, nor any politicians cared. I have a relative who retired from GM and his pension is over $6,000 a month. My wife and I never made anywhere near that combined, working all the hours we could. I really don't care what happens now.

No incombents:
So many people don't understand that is going to affect them even though they don't work for one of those companies. Also when you have the Republicans acting like we are just bailing out the CEO's of the companies and not telling the public what is really going to happen if these companies fail it adds to the lack of understanding of the public. Majority of the public wanted to go into Iraq too until they found out they where misinformed. These republicans come from that whole group of crooked liers that just got booted out office.
The fact is they are letting good people suffer for their own interest.
These are the same republicans that deregulated everything and caused the economic crises we are in today. These are the same republicans that chose to continue sacrificing American lives in Iraq long after they should have. They are not patriotic, they just take advantage of people that are by misleading them with false information and their relegious idology.

100% AGREE!!!!! They are protecting foreign interests at the expense of the US
THIS IS A SERIOUS NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE.

Biased alignment v objective discernment: Can pre-committed voters make rational decisions? There is real value in the conservative philosophies of ‘the least amount of government is the best government’ and that ‘government should only do for the people that which they can’t do for themselves’ however, as we are currently experiencing most everywhere (corporate corruption, Wall Street failures, housing foreclosures, auto industry meltdown, religious extremists,,,), there is responsibility inherent in all of that which demands that there is liberal protection against the exploitation of the many by the few and for equitable and fair treatment providing real opportunity for everyone. Those who think smart, work hard and take the risk deserve to reap the rewards, however there needs to be real regulation, control and enforcement to insure that greed, dishonesty and/or self-indulgence doesn’t take over and allow the powerful few to take advantage – simply, balance is required to prevent ultra-conservatism, which promotes advantage to the few, and also to prevent extreme liberalism from creating a large ‘tax & spend’ government, which inhibits real growth. Ultra-conservatism without the checks and controls provided by reasonable liberalism is like the pyramid schemes which advocate something that can’t work and will only benefit a few while victimizing the majority. We are currently being required to reactively address the failures occurring in many areas, with more to come, that are caused by an imbalance and a failure to be objectively proactive. Continuing as is, without responsibly and objectively recognizing the need for balance, could just be condemning the whole system to a catastrophe. As Collin Powell has intelligently articulated, (paraphrased) we really need more moderate, centrist and independent thinking to insure that the cancer doesn’t continue to infect and grow.

Why it is ok for Wall Street to loose half of my retirement and lawmakers reward them with $700 billion dollars by appearing before congress with two (2) pieces of paper? While the companies that employee the men and women that get dirty and sweat have to beg for a loan? By the way, the white collar workers caused this mess!

My husband retired from GM four years ago; he worked 36 years at five different plants around the country. Prior to that he served our country in Viet Nam and when he returned, GM said, "come on back." Our family has been able to purchase three homes and send me (the spouse to college) and save for our son and grandson's college. We contribute to our community with our tax dollars and by supporting local trade (markets, restaurants, cleaners, service stations, malls etc.). We have taken a big cut in medical benefits at the beginning of this year. For most of the years my husband was employed, we had free health care but now we have a Blue Cross plan which we have to pay for all office and lab fees.

The problem is my husband can’t go back and work for $14.00 per hr. He is old and not in good health; so you Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and BMW owner that believe the American Big Three Auto makers don't desire a bridge loan, just wait until it is time for you to retire and see if your Social Security is all that you hoped it would be.

I guess you all won’t be happy until the foreign car manufactures are totally in charge of all auto manufacturing! Locally there is a commercial running by Toyota that hints: come and see us about buying a car….we have money!

Angry Retired GM spouse!
Inglewood, CA

Its clear that the Southern Republicans continue to demonstrate that they are out of touch with the rest of the country. Until they learn to work across the aisle instead of being knee-jerk obstructionists, they will continue to lose election after election on the national level.

Specific to "No Incumbents 2010" – I actually admire leaders who genuinely LEAD, rather than have their votes driven entirely by public opinion polls. Great leaders risk doing the unpopular, yet right, thing.

Specific to "Perusing-Through" – I like your thinking...although I would suggest that everyone at the car companies absorb pay cuts porportionate to their incomes relative to the national household average income. Not unlike income taxation, those who CAN afford to take the hits should, in fact, be asked to sacrifice more for the good of the company and, in this case, the country.

Canada is waiting to give their BIG 3 8 Billion!

Wake up Republicans! what do you have against the average worker in North America?

No problem giving it to the big Banks a bailout but the average auto worker who is trying to survive you had no problem syaing NO!

Republicans get off our you IDEOLOGY butt – start caring for the real people!

Go to south america or some place like that
GET OFF the continent!

Those southern Senators are the most effective members of the DIET that Japan has ever produced. It's good they lost the Civil War because I would have trouble understanding their cotton mouthed lunatic mutters when they come out with Japanese accents.

Congress has finally voted on the side of the majority of Americans. Just like the Presidential election the American people made the decision. The executives and UAW are responsible for the problems with the auto industry. If we give them money now we, our grandkids, and great grandkids will still be bailing them out.

Wow, Dingell. You really burned those "Southern Senators" with that comment. How dare they put the interests of their states' citizens over the interests of your buddies in the UAW?

After all, they weren't sent to Congress to look out for the interests of their states. They were sent there to play ball with the unions and fatten their campaign war chests like you and Chris Dodd, right?

Nice work using the "Southern" epithet as well. I'm sure that wasn't meant to imply that those Senators are backwards, racist or out of touch. For all your self-righteous grandstanding, you liberals are even better than Republicans at playing identity politics.

Here's a great idea: Get a real job, and stop trying to play god with money you never earned and clearly have clue how to manage.

If salaries is 10% of the debt of the Autoworkers, why would the GOP focus on salaries as a way to resolve the Auto Industry. 10% IS SALARIES and 90% IS OTHER DEBT NOT RELATED TO SALARIES. The GOP Republican senators should all be ousted. They are risking destabilizing the economy worse than what it is now, for a personal AGENDA. The crooks still have a few weeks before some of them are out of office and making it Impossible for AMERICANS and their families. They do not care about anybody but their own interests.

I don't believe that the auto industry should be bailed out. Unfortunately, at this present time the country cannot take such a economic hit. The collapse of the auto industry would send this country in a downward spiral and cause a great deal of stress on other industries. This is the plain and simple truth of the matter. I don't like the fact they need money but the picture of them going under would be much uglier. I rather give them the money and have it supervised than what's getting ready to happen. Bush will take the money from the 700 billion and bail them out. What the southern senators did was shameful and with total disregard to the impact this will have on the country. They 're only looking out for themselves which is the problem with politics today. I heard one southern senator say "Let them file for bankruptcy and move to the south". Another sad day in American politics...

Again if you want someone to blame, look in the mirrior. Detroit made and still makes an inferior product.

You could look at the unions who are driving cost up or to you proud to be American I say the Southerners did what needed to be done. Stop this madness of bailing every business that begs for money out.

The tax payers should not have to dig deeper into their pockets so save a bunch a cooperations that made terrible bussiness choices. Even after years of declining sales they did not adjust their strategies and so we are were we are today.

Jason, when is race mentioned in this article? What has this got to do with the President-elect? Am I a racist if I didn't vote for Obama? I don't think so. Also, I would imagine that quite a few members of both parties are descendants of slave masters. Does that make them somehow culpable for the most terrible part of our national history? Dingell is just whining about losing the fight. I'm against the auto bailout, and was against the initial $700 billion bailout too. In calendar year 2007, millions of Americans went hungry at least once. Estimates say about 12 million of those were children 12 and under. We had no money for them. If they are hungry, they must be poor. If they're poor, how can they donate to a campaign? Forget'em. However, a union worker at GM can give. Well, the union can give his money without his knowledge anyway. Right, Congressman Dingell?

Unpatriotic my rear end! Using hard earned taxpayer's money to bail out companies that rewards poor leadership, shoddy construction compared to peers, and poor market forecasting–now that would be unpatriotic!

American autoworkers employees from the CEO to the sanitation crew have been making a killing on the backs of Joe Sixpack consumer and now they want to make another killing on the backs of Joe Sixpack taxpayer. They get huge salaries, bonuses, and benefits that most of us can't even dream of.

Thank goodness there are a few Congressmen out there who have enough nerve to vote this down.

i work for a toyota dealership and i say this is a sad day for my brothers and sisters who are employed at big 3 dealerships ,its the avg american who is getting hurt we need the american big three when things go bad for the big three things will go bad for all people in the industry and if the senators who voted no for the bailout voted because their state has a mfg plant they should be booted out of office there action is unpatriotic i long for the day when pres elect obama is sworn in maybe he can restore order and i hope our current pres will step to the plate and give them some wall street bail out money

The GOP spoils it for the country again. If they're so worried about the budget, why don't thgey make the oil companies bail out Detroit? After all, the GOP forged the the alliance that ripped us all off and made obscene profits for big poil.

Why does anybody belong to this party anymore? Theyre so busy worrying about gay marriage and their brand of morality while selling us out. The GOP are the most unpatriotic jerks who only care about themselves and their party.

Thanks a lot Southern Senators. I hope your constituents remember what idiots you are when the next election comes around! I know that's asking a lot from the South!

Those southern Republican senators have a vested interest in the failure of the American auto makers and failure of the unions. Their southern auto industry is based on foreign imports, which obtained their emergency loans from their own countries. Besides receiving free land and billions in tax incentives from the American public, to build their plants in the southern states to compete with American auto makers. So more than ever, we know the southern Republican senators are NOT on the side of America or American workers. Which also changes how Americans view the imports.

Good old Southern politics. Maybe somebody should remind them that the majority of auto workers in Michigan all came from the South back in the 30`s thru the 60`s. So much for Southern loyalty. I agree that the UAW must make concessions. I read awhile ago about a fork lift driver at Ford making $125,000 a year donating a considerable sum of money to a college in Detroit, Wayne State to name it.

good they have ripped of many with thier junk cars.

Republican support for Wall Street over Main Street has been demonstrated yet again. They can muster enough votes for a $700 billion bail-out for the banks (no questions asked), but complain about $34 billion that could save millions of jobs. Fewer will be members of congress come January 20th. Let's hope that trend continues.

Don't blame the UAW for anything after all they've been making worthless cars for 40 years now with no intention of changing. Wished I had a job that when I get layed off I still get 95% of my salary. Screw the UAW!! By the way, I only buy Japanese and European cars. At least they don't break down as soon as you drive them off the dealer's lot! I'll buy American when the Big 3 learn how to make a decent car!

the WHOLE thing free trade just FRAUD let all other jjunks cheap cars flood this country AND and THROW AWAY ALL JOBS TO CHINA and bring 20 mills illegal ,thanks to clinton whos AUTHOR.
can we replace all politicans with wages from labor whos not even spell their own name ?

CNN PLS POST THIS

Rep. Dingell wasn't specific enough. He should have said "some southern REPUBLICAN senators, the same bunch of half-wits who time and time again show that they don't give a rat's patootie about working men and women.

Seeing some of these bozos voted out of office would be change I could really believe in.

Allen is an idiot. CNN sucks

I can't believe the Senate Republicans sold out to the foreign auto companies. It just makes me sick. I would like the culprits' finances investigated. I'd like to see how much of a pay-off they accepted for selling out the American people.

Maybe John Dingell should take time to think about what he has done to help get the auto industry into this mess. A little tough love for them on fuel standards years ago might have been helpful and even kept us out of an oil war or two.

All that matters to these republicans is their idea of Capitolism. To them this is what defines the United States of America. They are not concerned with all of the other aspects of this country that are great.
I will call them antipatriotic and anti socialist. Society needs some socialism it is the root of the word. Liberty is another word they like to throw out the window. Like liberal is a bad word. Their idologly promotes selfishness and greed. What's in it for me, why should I help someone else. Those are two things this country can do without. They are willing sacrifice the working mans job to keep good relations with the Corporate Fat Cats in their states. They try and say they are looking out for the American people when they are really only looking out for their own interest. Part of that interest is to try and make the Democrats look bad. They will say the Democratic congress can't get anything done, when the dems have a 1 vote majority and can't get the 60 needed by themselves. They blame the democratic congress when it is their Partisinship that is the problem. They are still fighting instead of uniting in a state of crises. Stupid Greed and Idology.
Coker is trying to position himself for the future.

HE IS ON POINT! THAT'S THE GOSPEL TRUTH!!!

No incumbents 2010:

How many people in that majority you talked about know anything more than "tax dollars are going to a business?" You think they understand the many details of this bill? Are you trying to imply that the people working on this bill have no more understanding of it than the average joe?

Yes, a majority of people are opposed to it. But that same majority will also complain more as the economy gets worse and will not see any connection. If it were up to the majority to decide things, they would vote for no taxes and then revolt when they found out there were no roads to drive on...

These same instrnsigent bloated unions absolutely refused to cooperate in any way. They killed the auto makers, just like they killed the steelmakers, the garment makers and the airlines with their unbelievable greed. Why did you think Blago wanted to become a union exec as part of his price for selling Husseins seat. He could continue the corruption and greed. How much did UAW give to ACORN during the last election to elect the new clown majoritiy in Congress, including the bankiing queen, Barney Frank.

Don't worry they will get what they want, thank god, a few brave Republicans will stand up to the liberal /communist wrath in fighting against the criminally corrupt organizations like UAW.

I totally understand WHY a bailout is needed but for the life of me, I can't understand why the Unions refuse to share some of the blame and solution. The Labor problem with the Auto industry has been there for sometime. The Executive teams are not the only cause of this trainwreck. The economy just made the problem present itself faster.

If the Unions REFUSE to take pay cuts to help the American auto industry compete, then let them fail. An industry should not get PUBLIC money if they cannot make smart decisions for their own survival.

The Repubs think they look like the good ole NEWT and DELAY days when you had a bunch of PALIN type people turning out in droves that bought into the 'fear' tactics.

Those days are gone! Now they look like a group of racist white guys who don't care one bit about the Average Joe. NOT Joe the Plumber or Joe the Sixpack like they think of. But Average Joe.

THE REPUBS ALONG WITH RUSH ARE SO GREEDY AND SELF ABSORBED IT IS SICKENING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE REPUBS DON'T EVEN CARE IF ROME BURNS AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THEIR TREASURE CHESTS FULL AND POCKETS LINED. THEY ARE IN BED WITH NON-AMERICANS AND CALL T HEMSELVES AMERICANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

GOD BLESS THE USA because THE REPUBS DON'T CARE LESS.

It was rather obvious what the southern senators with Japanese car factories in their back yards had in mind.Kill off the American competetion and to hell with American workers.So much for reaching across the aisle.

Wow Jason...prejudice much?

Nice job painting this as a geographical issue. Perhaps the southern senators recognize that: 1. Taxpayer money shouldn't be used to prop up a failing for-profit company, and 2. There are already BILLIONS of dollars approved for just such a purpose ($15B out of $700B is 2%!).

So the South has replaced textile and furniture plants with profitable automotive plants – good for them.

Now we know where the Grinch lives – in the South! These Senators, including our own McConnell, are attempting to steal Christmas.

Gee could this be that in the South, the auto makers down "THERE" actually know how to run a "successful" auto business without the worthless unions unlike the Detroit area. Seems the non-union businesses are better than the union ones. Maybe "THIS" is the change America needs.

Bail out banks and wallstreet but not worker....slavemasters that what they are....

Thank god for Southern Senators! Let the current way fo doing business for the big 3 die. Americans will re-build...WITHOUT the unions!

Jason – you just spewed complete garbage. Not everyone who DIDN'T vote for Obama is a racist, as you try and point out. There are some areas of the country, namely smaller towns, that do better with Republican policy.

Sen. Dingellberry is mad that his cash cow can't run a competitive business. If I were a senator in a state with Honda or Toyota.. and considering around 50% of the public is against the loan.. I would probably vote against it as well.

Richard Shelby, Mitch McConnell, David Vitter, Jim DeMint, Bob Corker (anyone feel free to add to these losers): these senators have failed America again, McConnell was just reelected ironically. The country is slow, but we are learning just how worthless the Republicans are. Give Bush the money for an illegal war but don't give money to save American businesses and millions of jobs. Makes a lot of sense!

Real leadership coming in 2009!

Hey Jason here is a bit of a history lesson for you, you dolt. REPUBLICANS FREED THE SLAVES, THE DEMS WERE THE OLD SOUTHERN BOYS WHO OWNED THEM.

WHAT TO KNOW YOUR HISTORY BUD

It's good to see someone state this-the politicians from the south have been working against the rest of America for a long time.

Everyone knows that John Dingell does not take a breath or even get out of bed each day unless the UAW gives him permission. So, any comment he makes concerning the US Automobile Industry has to taken with some (okay, a lot of) skepticism.

We are turning into a welfare state with everyone sticking their hands out for free government money. Pull yourselves up by your boot straps, have some real American pride and save yourselves. Those of us that work for well-run companies can't foot the bill for all these bailouts.

“Last night, some Southern Senators kicked American workers in the gut,” ...

Well, you've been kicking the rest of American workers in the gut for years. It's high time that we quit throwing money away.

Chapter 11 benefits without the stigma of being 'bankrupt' and they STILL WOULDN'T ACCEPT IT. To hell with the Unions and the Big 3.

Their 'layoff' benefits are SO GOOD, that they'd rather be layed off than work under a pay or benefit cut to be on the same level as the rest of us. Same goes for their management!

You nor I OWE the big three anything. Chapter 11 is the solution, end of story.

Auto Executive average salary: $ 27,000,000

Average cost of 1 hour labor for a United Auto Worker: $ 75.00

Cost of Regulations by a Democrat ruled Congress to build cars no one wants: $ Billions

The Senate blaming Republicans for the Auto industry woes:

Priceless

No incumbents, where do you get the idea that the majority of Americans disagree with the bailout? Your post is your personal opinion and nothing more.

You can put the blame where ever you want sounds like the senator from Michigan Mr Dingell didn't get his way and he's acting like you took candy out of his mouth. The UAW wouldn't take a pay cut because at $70 an hour if they cut there pay they might struggle?? If they can't live well at $70 an hour maybe they should do something else. They've been milking the cow long enough and now it's time to face facts whether they like it or not. Now they look at the goverment to help them out. If you make a lousy product and over charge for it no one will by it. Bailout or not Toyota's honda's and nissans etc are a lot better built last alot longer and have better resale.

Well, then thank God for Southern Senators! The UAW needs to take a close look at itslef and understand that the gross over-compensation of its members is hugely responsible for this crisis in the auto industry.

Just look at the polls on Rasmussen Reports. No majority of Americans polled are behind this bailout in any way. Who cares what the majority of the House voted on? The Senate gets to vote their own way, independent of House results, as a means for checks and balances. How ironic that the Republicans are now the ones representing the will of the people. House Democrats should be ashamed.

Everytime we get a glimpse of the conversations of these politicians we find out what cold-blooded opportunistic sociopaths they are. So it does not require a gigantic leap of imagination to believe the accusations made by the Honorable John Dingle. It probably went like this: [Senator Shelby] blankety blank blank what's in it for me and blank the blankin UAW and all the blankin liberals in Detroit that went blankin democratic. Blank em. Anyway, my 'blind (ahem) trust is shorting the automakers so I win either way which is all that matters. Am I a good ole boy or what? Time to head out to lunch at the all white no women members club. God I love the south.

2 million plus jobs, the largest industry in the United states, spanning all 50 states. for an eye opener, 159,000 jobs in california alone depend on the big three. this isn't just Michigan's problem, it's America's

I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY INTERESTING TO KNOW HOW MANY DOLLARS HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THESE UNPRATIOTIC SENATORS BY THESE JAPANESE AND GERMAN TRANSPLANTS. HAS EVERONE FORGOTTEN WW2 AND " REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR" ?

WHAT IS GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER

Congress should put their paycheck where their mouth is. If Congress wants UAW (and only UAW) to take a pay cut for what amounts to be three decades of auto-mismanagement, than every Senator and Congressman should lead the way and take a pay cut for NOT demanding more fuel efficient cars since the first oil crisis during President Carter’s years, and for allowing the U.S. to become a hostage of oil producing nations.

This is a terrible thing the S. Repugs did..... how can they live with themselves knowing that American people will suffer much.

The Dixie-publicans! Usens ain't wontten none em aire unionizers down here! Them ain't are kind of folks. They be uppiddy.

Maybe these southern senators are still bitter about the civil war and see a chance they can bring down the north with the help of their german and japanese friends.

More GOP theater. They are so short sighted and fearful of unions that they risk placing the entire country into another Depression. I guess they figure if everyone is out of work, there won't be any unions. Americans workers only get paid $3 more per hour than non-union guys. Plus there are unions in Japan and South Korea etc. Moreover those countries also help subisdize the healthcare costs. How unbelievably Unpatriotic the GOP is!! Remember that the profits from those foreign owned auto companies goes overseas!! Ford and GM profits stay here!! Of course, this is the same GOP that loves shipping our jobs overseas anyway, so I'm not surprised they are being anti-American again. That America-hating GOP is at it again!

Not to mention all the tax incentives and free infrastructure upgrades the transplants were given to get them to build the plants. If the U.S. taxpayer can pay for those types of incentives to lure foreign automakers to the depressed south, then they can front the 14B dollar LOAN.

At least the domestics are asking for a loan not a gift, or to be completely fair, have the taxpayers build a couple of free factories for GM!

Biased alignment v objective discernment: Can pre-committed voters make rational decisions? There is real value in the conservative philosophies of ‘the least amount of government is the best government’ and that ‘government should only do for the people that which they can’t do for themselves’ however, as we are currently experiencing most everywhere (corporate corruption, Wall Street failures, auto industry meltdown, religious extremists,,,), there is responsibility inherent in all of that which demands that there is liberal protection against the exploitation of the many by the few and for equitable and fair treatment providing real opportunity for everyone. Those who think smart, work hard and take the risk deserve to reap the rewards, however there needs to be real regulation, control and enforcement to insure that greed, dishonesty and/or self-indulgence doesn’t take over and allow the powerful few to take advantage – simply, balance is required to prevent ultra-conservatism, which promotes advantage to the few, and also to prevent extreme liberalism from creating a large ‘tax & spend’ government, which inhibits real growth. Ultra-conservatism without the checks and controls provided by reasonable liberalism is like the pyramid schemes which advocate something that can’t work and will only benefit a few while victimizing the majority. We are currently being required to reactively address the failures occurring in many areas, with more to come, that are caused by an imbalance and a failure to be objectively proactive. Continuing as is, without responsibly and objectively recognizing the need for balance, could just be condemning the whole system to a catastrophe. As Collin Powell has intelligently articulated, (paraphrased) we really need more moderate, centrist and independent thinking to insure that the cancer doesn’t continue to infect and grow.

It's a moot point anyways...the Democrats will get what they wanted all along which was to pull the money already set aside for wall street

Tell that Yankee we didn't want to support any more bloated companies with our tax dollars! Wall street SHOULDN'T have been bailed out, and neither should Detroit. When will we let the freedom to fail return with the freedom to succeed??!!

Dingell and other Michigan congress men should stop and listen to their own voice for a second. An auto bailout is only going to put off the end of Detroit Automakers for short time. With the Auto Unions and state taxes constantly hitting the bottom line of these companies they will have no option but to close. Unions may be good for those making the deal but down the road when their children need jobs workers will regret bankrupting their employers. Why do you think BMW located in South Carolina or other foreign companies in other states. They wanted to escaped the plague and ultimate death kiss of unions and welfare state mentalities in the Midwest.

The Big Three would do best in declaring bankruptcy and with that restructuring without the American Auto Workers Union.

Foreign companies in the US aren't having as big as problems as the Big Three. Maybe those in Power should open their eyes to this and change their laws to benefit their constituents.

these are the same people who are going to be a stone in president -elect obama's shoe. these are the same southern senators who would like to raise reagan from the dead. these are the good ol boys part of the 50 million who didn't want a dem/blk man as president. thank god for the 53 million + who seen different progressive minded individuals.. cause a republican to me is nothing but a descendant of a slave master, overseer, plantation owner and a down right evil being.

You've got to be kidding! This guy has been sucking off the taxpayer's tittie for more than 5 DECADES, and what he says is what the SENATORS want???? Hello... the senators ARE the problem! What do the American people want? Ask an auto worker and duh, they want the bailout. But what's best for everyone else???? Ever see the movie Primary Colors? This subject is covered... and answered... in Spades. Bottom line... NO BAILOUT! Sorry, it hurts, I know. But that money should be used to retrain the autoworkers to do different jobs... ones with their brains, not their brawn. That's where the world is going. Labor goes where labor is cheap, and that ain't the USA.

Yeah the Republican senators block the auto industry like you Sen. Dingell blocked the clean coal industry! Stop all the polarization and get on a soultion. We are losing thousands of jobs a week! DO SOMETHING WASHINGTON!!!

I agree with the Michigan Senator. I live in Alabama and the Senators sent out a letter to the Newpapers saying that they weren't going to vote for the bill. In Alabama there are only foreign Auto Workers so they were not concerned. I think that the auto industry needs a bailout.

It's only 2 more years before some more of these obstructionists can be voted out. We got Dole out of NC. Hang in there folks. It can be done.

Those southern Senators are still fighting the Civil War...let's find out how much the foreign transplants contributed these these Southern traitors campaigns

You forgot to mention the Dems that voted against it.

I am surprise no one is talking about this these are very good questions that should be ask to the republican senators. They want UAW workers to cut their wages yet these are the same people who said that it would be a mistake to raise taxes during a time of recession, but cutting wages is ok? Does not make sense to me also if the American auto industry does fail and over 1 million people are left without a job the GOP can just kiss their chances to the white house in this century.

Gawd told 'em suthun senators tuh do it.

Interesting, the majority of Washingthon including the President Elect is disappointed by the defeat of the bailout, yet the majority of Americans disagree with the bailout. Change we can believe in?
I hope real change comes in 2010, but that is up to we the people.