How the Feds will Govern GM and Chrysler

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The American tax payer is now and unwilling 60% shareholder in both of these failed companies. Operating under Government control and answering to those in DC, "who have 0 industry experience", we can be certain that both firm will begin churning out econo box vehicles that are not proffitable and will not sell. 60% of ZERO will always equal ZERO and with 50 BILLION already down the tubes, it's time to cut our losses. Both executive greed and union greed are to blame,GM, Chrysler, and the UAW ALL DESERVE TO FAIL! The only victims here are the investors who took the risk and pour thier hard earned dollars into these companies only to have the Obama Administration steal thier invenstements by offering pennies on the dollar and handing nearly 50% control to his contributers in the labor unions. It's theft, plain and simple, a scandelous payoff to Democratic allies in the unions. All private investment in both firms will immediately cease and thier shares prices will fail. The only question is how long Washigton will continue to pour OUR MONEY into propping them up in order to stave off Union job losses. We must not allow DC to bankrupt the Nation in order to protect Union jobs. ALL TAX PAYING AMERICANS MUST IMMEDIATELY BOYCOTT BOTH GM AND CHRYSLER. The sooner these companies are allowed to die, the sooner we can stop the bleeding of our treasury and the devaluation of our dollar!

Mike Ogden of WA 2:38PM June 06, 2009

IF they can't succeed in the Market, they should go out of business. Government should have no say in this matter.

KB of OH 2:04PM February 12, 2009

It should be obvious that Airlines, in their robust vigor to increased market share, scheduled way too many flights for consumer convenience that simply ended up competing with simular flights and time schedules from the same airports as their competitors. Result---inability to use their resources efficiently with many flights departing with considerably less then optimal capacity and and cost containment at that point impossible and if fact the exact opposite. Final result: Bankruptcy for many of the major airlines. Apparently the automakers are just as inept with their dismal approach to attempt to capture additional market share---new model after new model with millions spend for R&D functions plus additional millions spent for manufacturing and marketing. And for what genuine economic purpose ---to try and cram their ideas and models into potential consumers minds that all these models were needed and that the consumer should purchase them for the viability of the economy.. Result---after loosing billions and now requiring government bailout monies to prolong their delemma--no real prospect of again becoming a viable industry.

Jerry Duphorn of MN 1:41PM February 09, 2009

With all the talk of a bailout for the auto companies and the negativity that is brought out ,it is always the auto unions and workers that are to blame not the executives that make the decisions.The executive pay and bonuses that they recieve could have easily paid forany donw turn in the economy.what about the money that they have given the banks and AIG, they couldn't even tell the oversight department where the money is or if it is even being used to help the economy, like it was suppose to be.There are many problems with the auto industry ,like the good old boy hiring, and if the goverment really wants to help they would put some of the people in jail who run companies in the ground and then get bonuses for it.We are a long way from where we need to be but everyone has to help to change not just the little guy who is trying to survive

Tj of IL 2:23PM January 13, 2009

If the 3 auto makers want to bail out just make a updated prom chip for the cpu cost about $15.00 change the programe parameters for mileage increase to 15% to 30% and charge $350.00 at the dealerships for the upgrade back to 1992 then they are self funded; they do not need a bail out and we get rid of oil debt every one winns and they get to sell off excess stock.

jack of CA 10:54AM January 13, 2009

When the American auto makers were being run by car guys i.e. people who loved cars, they turned out exciting cars that people wanted to buy. When management was turned over to the "bean counters" they started to make decisions that looked good on paper but brought yawns to American car buyers. The cars from the '60s & 70's are bringing fantastic prices at auction. And not just because they are getting rare. It's because they offered what the new cars don't. Personality as well as performance.
They killed off Oldsmobile after decades to bring out Saturn. What was that all about? IF they need to drop a line of cars, then they should keep a bit of tradition and get rid of Saturn and divest some of the other new ideas. They can always add modern more efficient models to existing traditional brands. Both Chevy & GMC trucks never did make sense so one should go. Probably GMC. They are built on the same lines anyway.
Maybe the "big three" should buy some of the top selling foreign made cars and reverse engineer them. Then there would be no quality gap and reason to buy elsewhere.
American auto makers are already building better cars. Now they need to convince the American public that it doesn't have to be build by foreigners to have quality.
And what's with rebates? Are Americans so dumb that they don't realize to get a rebate, you have to overcharge in the first place? Drop the rebate and lower the sticker price.
And get the unions to wake up and realize the party's over. Floor sweepers don't need to get $25.00+ hr. Then the companies can make a profit.

Don Haines of FL 3:45AM January 13, 2009

I, too, am very encouraged by the staight-forwardness of this piece.
It seems that the least likely thing to do would be to cut some names/lines from each of the 3. Most dealers around here carry at least 3 apiece to losing 1 or so isn't going to hurt as much as their alternatives.
Americans will continue to drive their cars. Thus, they will make plenty of $$ with warranty coverages & maintanence. And, I agree, we do need to improve & focus more on public transportation.

Destiny of TX 1:00AM January 13, 2009

I always love it when I read that the Unions have only SUSPENDED the JOB BANKS program. I once worked with someone whose brother was on the program for 10 YEARS. His only requirement was that he show up for 'training' once a month at a facility in Glendale, Ca. He pulled almost all of his salary for all that time until he reached retirement age. What business can compete on the world stage when it's forced to spend money to support non-contributing labor? The little I know about economics tell me the idea is literally insane! And don't get me started on management largesse. Just as they did in England (not one iconic English brand is owned by an English company), management and unions here have between them decimated a once-mighty and proud industry.

Andrew Brennan of CA 6:48PM January 12, 2009

It appeared that I was finally going to get an answere!
Not surprising, but hopeful I found out it was just another smoke blow-ing, weasel wording lip service tactic as usual!
Taxpayers should know better than to allow these overpaid public
servants that originally misued their monies to return to old
faithful.I remain ashamed that these people must not be account-
able for their mishandling of the taxpayers checkbooks.As we continue to let our political leaders run amuck.
They couldnt control Wagner or Nardellis position-so lets lean
on past union negotited benefits.Lets forget ethics & integrity.
Remember when we couldnt bus the teachers.To many were married to attorneys.So we bus the KIDS! What a web we weave-

Phantom 3:57PM January 12, 2009

if the car companies want my tax dollars they better show me how thier going to use it. i think they should give a press confrence to give the people a chance to ask them what they are doing with the bailouts. if the industries dont chang whos to say they wont want another bailout in a few years?

jessica touchstone of WA 3:08PM January 12, 2009