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Detroit, 1:59 AM
Tue Nov 17
31 posts in the last 24 hours
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12:12 AM
The only thing that I'd add is it's ironic that the foreign automakers who would most benefit from the disappearance of GM and Chrysler have received a fair amount of support from their governments. One could even argue that the weakness of the Big Three is partly the result of "socialism" on the part of US economic competitors such as Germany, Japan and South Korea.
In a very real sense the bailouts are helping to level the international playing field.
Not that I'm a big fan of the bailouts in principle and how they have been implemented. But I do think it very strange that conservatives go nuclear over a policy decision approved by Bush that helps protect American interests against those foreign socialist interlopers. #gm
11/16/09
11/16/09
Foreign manufacturers focused on niches that the Americans abandoned, on quality and reliability, on value.
The former Axis countries benefitted in part from the war, as when they rebuilt their industries, they had advanced modern plants. They also had highly skilled and dedicated, unionized workforces.
And their governments made sure that health care and retirement was paid when it was earned, rather than leaving it to the companies to carry on their books, and plunder.
I regret the bailout, but it was necessary - even if it simply buys a few more years for these companies. I also regret that the corporate management that brought us to this point has been richly rewarded and will not suffer in the least for the damage they created and the wreckage they leave behind.
The government showed up too late, has done too little, and has demanded too little in return for the bailouts. But without the government counterweight to the irresponsibility of the corporations, things would be immensely worse right now. #gm
11/16/09
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11/16/09
- I believe that non college educated workers should be able to make a decent wage to support their families.
- I think there should be caps on executive compensation.
- I think that decent, affordable health care is a right, with no caps on care, and no pre-existing conditions ever.
- I believe that no one in America should go hungry.
- Having said that, there should be a choice as to whether you want growth hormones or chemicals in your food.
- I think there should be MORE regulation needed in the Banking and Brokerage sectors.
- There should be sustainable growth, and by that I mean 1 or 2%; Double Digit Growth in the worth of your home, interest bearing accounts, or stock percentages are not sustainable.
- I think there should be only a 2 term Senator, Congressman, and a one term President.
- Scrap all the free trade accords, and renegotiate them so that they are not as one sided as they seem to be today.
- Penalize any American Corporation who relocates manufacturing abroad.
Hmmmm, and that's just the beginning. #gm
11/16/09
11/16/09
I could agree on renegotiating trade, but limiting trade will only hurt our companies. And ultimately it is better for the world economy (which we benefit from) to trade goods and services, not artificially restrict trade. Government should only intervene in situations that present undue risk to parties not involved, and the government should govern corporations, not turn into a corporation. But I'm a Libertarian. #gm
11/16/09
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11/16/09
- I believe that anyone who is smart enough to pass college entrance exams and have the high school grades to make it into college should have their tuition paid for. You have one chance to make it. Flunk out once and the deal is off.
- I believe that health care should be available to anyone who's a citizen of this country or that are legally here. Universal health care coverage makes fiscal sense even if the conservatives disagree.
- There should be more regulation in the financial sector. Capitalism works when it's well regulated. That doesn't mean heavily regulated. Rules make for a level playing field, meaning you know what you're getting yourself into.
- I believe that all elections should be publicly funded and soft money should be banned. It's time to end the sweetheart deals that result from corporations funding candidates.
- Campaigns should not be run no longer than 3 months.
However I don't want to get rid of the two term limit for Presidents.
May the flaming begin, lol. #gm
11/16/09
Buffet is the only honest exception. He does not use tax havens like other Forbes 400 listers. I say, once you can afford to buy every person in your state a Ferrari California 2010... Maybe you should start to give back to the system that has made you so successful.
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11/16/09
[www.gacollege411.org]
I feel each state should have something like this. Georgia's program is considered a huge success. Meanwhile I went to Georgia myself but my priorities were a bit screwed up. Procrastinating is fun. I ended up getting a BS degree from another institution but I'm doing well for myself. #gm
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12:00 AM
12:02 AM
11/16/09
11/16/09
You see, its science really. Republicans can't drive. They suck at the art, and thus, they don't like cars. They mostly drive American, so the cars they don't like are (guess what!): American. So, they hate their cars. They hate Jalopnik (a car loving website) too. If I had a dollar for every time a GMT400-era Chevy Suburban with a faded "MCCAIN * PALIN" sticker on its maroon ass, I'd have enough money to bail out GM two times over. Yeah.
Oh, and Republicans HATE kittens as well. #gm
11/16/09
12:12 AM
Those are just a few examples why Ford Tempo is one of America's most appealing, and best selling, four door sedans. But don't forget about the two doors! Get ready to shift into a sportier gear, with Ford Tempo GLS. Available also as a sedan, the Tempo GLS boasts a standard High Specific Output version of the 2.3L I-4. Rated at 100HP and 135lb-ft of torque, the HSO boasts of a revised intake system as well as an HSO-specific valve cover. Hemispherical combustion chambers also contribute to the extra punch packed by the Tempo GLS. On the outside, you'll find GLS-specific five spoke alloy rims, backed by Goodyear all season tires as standard. The Tempo's proud tri-bar chrome grill is replaced with a sporting monochromatic grill, colored in either black, white, or red, depending on the color of the GLS. You'll find that the chrome trim and brushed aluminum panels standard on other Tempo models, has also been replaced by body-color specific trim. This gives the Tempo a sleek, European look. All Ford Tempos are equipped with fully independent suspension, with coil springs all around and a Macpherson strut design, backed by nitrogen gas pressurized shocks. Specific to the GLS however, is dual torsion anti-roll bars front and rear. Revised bumpers and side molding give the GLS a lowered stance, adding to its aggressive appearance. A subtle decklid spoiler is also included in two door versions of the GLS. Inside, the GLS boasts all the luxuries of Tempo LX. With standard air conditioning, seat back map pockets, three separate map lights, illuminated glove compartment and ash tray, power windows and door locks, power trunk release, locking gas filler door, four way power driver's seat and lumbar support, four way adjustable head rest, Sport Gauge Cluster with standard tachometer and trip odometer, and Ford's Premium Sound System (which includes four speakers, digital clock display, AM/FM radio, cassette player with electronic Dolby noise reduction system, and a trunk mounted amplifier), its no wonder Ford Tempo GLS has become a sensation with today's American consumer.
Pick up the Tempo of your life! Drop down to your local Ford dealer today, and tell them to bring back a worthy successor to the Ford Tempo right now damn it!
P.S. The bailouts were a bad idea, I agree. Free market is great. Now if only we had a free market. Japan can build and sell a car far cheaper in America then America's own automakers. You see, Toyota doesn't have to deal with the UAW. Or any other regulations really. #gm
12:59 AM
11/16/09
I'm not saying what is right or wrong. It just makes for entertaining/aggravating/stupefying observation. #gm
11/16/09
#gm
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11/16/09
Watch out though, because Fox is going to come back with a "why does GM hate America?" piece.
#opinion #gm
11/16/09
Jesus, Matt, was this necessary? I come here for cars, not for barely-related, crudely-biased political commentary. #gm
11/16/09
11/16/09
if this article *upsets* you, maybe you should switch over to autoblog instead #gm
11/16/09
11/16/09
a huge chunk of canadian identity is the idea that "we're not americans." we enjoy parading how un-american we are, with lower obseity rates, the great outdoors, smoked salmon, a health care system that cares for your health, whatever. and then we spew hate on american consumerism and its facist laws and 2-party system and crap.
it seems to me that republican identity is pretty much defined by "we're not democrats." they will do anything they can to disagree with democrats, even if it goes against scientific research, or even logic and common sense. and then they spew hate on the democrats for... anything they can think of. and man, can they spew it.
sure, there's a lot of people in the democratic party that's also entirely based on the "we're not republicans" and "if they're doing it, we must do the opposite!" mindset. but that seems to be a much smaller part of what makes a democrat, as opposed to a republican.
11/16/09
Really? Did you not follow the news from 2000-2008? #gm
11/16/09
If you think that Republicans truly hate American Automakers, thats your opinion. Perhaps you've been drinking a little too much Pelosi-ade.
But to post something like this, here, on Jalopnik, where politics is generally a no-go zone (besides making fun of politicians for their numerous stupid decisions) is simply pointless.
11/16/09
11/16/09
Their are places that I go for political discussion and car sites and magazines are not one of those places. The fact that Motor Trend went completely in the tank for Obama and the green movement last year is what put the final nail in my subscription to that magazine. #gm
11/16/09
Wholehearted agreement. I don't come here for politics. Yes, this is politics involving cars, but seriously now. I mean, I have no love for republicans, but this article is little more than an unsubstantiated partisan rant.
Can we all agree that both parties have fucked this up? #gm
11/16/09
1. Detroit is pro-union.
2. Unions are pro-Democratic and contribute heavily to Democratic candidates.
Republicans are anti-union.
3. Therefore Republicans are anti-Detroit.
For good measure, throw in the fact that foreign transplants are in right-to-work states and therefore are anti-union and are generally lean towards Republican candidates and so the answer isn't really hard to see.
Can we go back to talking about the t*ts on those booth babes again please? #gm
11/16/09
Sorry to be harsh. One of the best things about Jalopnik is that it's fearless in writing about automotive issues. I certainly wouldn't want to impose arbitrary restrictions on its content, but my point is to ask whether this kind of quote-and-eye-roll piece belongs here. There might be better fora for this. #gm
11/16/09
/casts line into something fun #gm
11/16/09
11/16/09
Ahhh nice to see that there is another in the mist who knows the uffda. #gm
11/16/09
Guess what, if Toyota or VW came to them for a bailout, they'd still say no. I'm not sure what your agenda is with this insanely biased article, but it has little to no use on this website. Don't make this a political blog.
No company, no matter who ones them, DESiERVES a bailout. Maybe if the US were rolling around in Scrooge McDuck size piles of money we could loan away. But the US does not. The companies in question have not shown a single viable plan to make them look decent as a company worth investing in and giving a loan to. If GM or Chrysler need a loan, they need to go the bank. That's the AMERICAN way.
Which countries polices and constitution are you wanting them to follow. #gm
11/16/09
Toyota and VW DID come to these Republican Senators asking for a bailout. Their bailout just came in the form of "right to work" laws and tax exemptions and friendly land deals with quasi-governmental bodies. #gm