GM/Chrysler: Tax Dollars to Fund Layoffs?

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Crystler and GM lament the fact that they must close factories, but they save almost nothing by doing so. Idle UAW workers will receive 95% of salary and 100% of benefits to play golf, vacation, drink beer by the backyard pool, etc. But the factories will save on electricity and toilet paper during the plant closings Similarly, management will expend less private jet fuel and other needless expenses.
Unless bankruptcy forces changes to bring the "big" (small and getting smaller) three back into market reality, American consumers will rightfully drive Toyotas, Hondas, Hyndays, VWs etc. all made here in the USA while employing Americans in vibrant Southern communities.

Reality of NJ 10:17PM December 18, 2008

Unfortunately in the real world it is survival of the fittest. Chrysler isn't very fit. If GM doesn't buy Chrysler, then some foreign company will and the results will be the same anyway. I say keep Chrysler in American hands Then retool the company. Start building more fuel efficient cars that can compete. Find out what consumers want and build the best, most fuel efficient cars, trucks, minivans, SUVs, etc. Become profitable again! Remember the first rule of business is survival. If the American car industry is to survive then this merger should be approved.

Jive Turkey of PA 9:48AM October 29, 2008

If the Government assists the big three, then the employees (all, salaried and hourly) must sacrifice equally. Take pay and benefits cuts immediately without a long drawn out bargaining session. Otherwise, no deal.

Joe the Plumber of DE 7:49AM October 28, 2008

Wow. As usual nobody believed the people saying the federal bailout would end up as a neverending stream of handouts. Well, keep it up, put the taxpayer in more debt. Doesn't matter, if the government wants to keep this up we'll end up with a worthless currency, and then the national debt will be $10 inflation adjusted. Bravo. Maybe it's strategic 'blundering'... I have to wonder if there's any other reason this insanity continues...

James of IL 1:40AM October 28, 2008

I want to hear Lee Iaccoca's opinion on the possibility of the merger and the unheard of idea of government money used to support it.
Where have all the leaders gone ?
-Chrysler Employee

Bryan of MI 10:23PM October 27, 2008

I really can't believe how insensitive the media and others (obviously not affected by this "merger") are. Nobody even blinks when wall street needs $700 Billion to offset years of greed and keep the fat cats in their positions, but $5B or $10B to help save companies that provide millions of jobs (counting direct employees, contractors, suppliers, dealers etc.) is so appalling. I don't want a merger because I will likely be one of the unlucky ones getting some severance pay because I do believe that GM only wants Chrysler cash and Cerberus wants to put all the bad loans in one big basket and go after as big of a share of the $700 billion as they can. Faced with a choice of Chrysler going chapter 11 or a merger of GM and Chrysler I guess I would take the merger, but either way I am screwed as a member of Chrysler engineering. Back to the original point though. I am a third generation white collar auto worker and this is affecting real peoples lives. Not the super high level execs that make several hundred million when they parachute out, but the real people that leave with a car voucher for some gas guzzler they can't sell and a pat on the back.

of MI 8:44PM October 27, 2008

"My Federal Government" should not pay for the "merger" of GM and Chrysler with my tax money. For one it is not a merger. It is a GM take over. All GM wants from Chrysler is our money, Jeeps, and minivans. 150,000 jobs will be lost when GM closes all of the Chrysler plants. So if the funding would go through the FEDS would be putting me and many others on the street...

Chris Sands of IN 8:10PM October 27, 2008

Any federal loans or bailout money should go to all three automakers. Specifically, funding should not be used to fund a merger between Chrysler and GM and should not be used to fund layoffs. I am a contractor to Chrysler and the thought of the federal government using my tax dollars to put me and up to 150,000 employees, contractors, suppliers, and small business people out of work is despicable! It is simply the most blatant example of how the federal government has lost touch with the very people who pay their salaries. Such things should not be allowed to happen in the United States of America.

of MI 4:44PM October 27, 2008

The big 3 have long had as good a team of lobbyists as big oil, defense contractors or anybody else.
Their retirement plans have always been subsidized by social security for instance.
Now they are lining up for their share of the bailout money that is not yet all allocated.
Why not? Those CEO's that stuck it to their investors already got their share.
If the big 3 stay afloat, they at least provide jobs for Americans.

HillbillyBill of TN 2:39PM October 27, 2008