2 replies

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sleze69

March 18, 2009 4:43 PM

@ianmac47: Liquidate! That means Honda, Nissan and Toyota can get stuff on the cheap!

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Keavy_Rain

March 18, 2009 7:41 PM

@sleze69: Exactly!

We have dozens of car companies to cover the loss of GM.

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k6richar

March 18, 2009 3:03 PM

Let them liquidate. If we taxpayers wanted to pay this company they would have bought their cars.

7 replies

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bwcbwc

March 19, 2009 1:28 AM

@k6richar: I'd rather force Chrysler to liquidate and keep GM around, but there's enough overcapacity in the auto industry that whoever's first to run out of money should liquidate.

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OmniZero

March 18, 2009 5:49 PM

I person@k6richar: I bought their car cause I like it. Their cars aren't that bad, at least not the Cavalier/Cobalt line. My old 2002 Cavalier got 35mpg and ran smoothly even after 94,000 miles. I now own a Cobalt and I'm real happy with it.

What I don't like about other cars is how sensitive the gas pedal is. Breath on it and you go flying, which I don't like. I like more control on my acceleration.

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Psychicsword

March 19, 2009 11:16 PM

@OmniZero: My 1998 lexus es300(toyota brand) is running smooth with 166500 miles on it with no major repairs done. It is now an 11 year old car and gets 22 actual miles per gallon on side streets and 27 actual miles per gallon on the highway.

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veronykah

March 18, 2009 6:29 PM

@OmniZero: I'll keep my '91Toyota Celica with 197,000 miles on it getting 28mpg HWY thanks...
Every American can I've ever had left me stranded with a problem no mechanic could figure out.

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webwbr

March 18, 2009 5:06 PM

@k6richar:

Well put!

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Josh_G

March 18, 2009 3:19 PM

@k6richar:

That being said if the taxpayer is suppose to bail them out, they should all be given a GM made vehicle. Seems fair to me.

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Shadowman615

March 18, 2009 3:53 PM

@Josh_G: Because wouldn't we all really rather have a Buick?

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Erica Fogg

March 18, 2009 3:04 PM

It's been said a thousand times: If you can't keep yourself in business, you don't deserve to be in business. End of story.

2 replies

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Psychicsword

March 19, 2009 11:20 PM

@Erica Fogg: I agree with what Mitt Romney said \"Let Detroit Go Bankrupt\" [www.nytimes.com] I dont see why we should bail them out. If you suck at something then you shouldn't be the one doing it.

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Thaddeus

March 18, 2009 6:17 PM

@Erica Fogg: That sounds like a concept I've heard of before but I can't remember it...

Oh yeah! Capitalism!

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Trey Mahaffey

time for GM to go the way of the dodo bird

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unobservant

If I wanted to pay someone to keep their job I'd have them actually work for me.

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lonestarbl

Nope, just pouring moneying into a bucket with a gaping hole in the bottom...

We need to let these \"big\" guys die off and be replaced smarter, more efficient companies - Survival of the fittest

1 replies

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fergthecat

March 20, 2009 5:40 PM

@lonestarbl: That's pretty much what happened to the steel industry.

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The Waffle

Is it just me or does this seem like a playground fight....
Kid 1(GM): Let me play with your toy
Kid 2(Taxpayers): No it's my toy and I will do with it what I want
Kid 1(GM): Well if I can't play with it I'll just break it so no one can!

2 replies

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kathyl

March 18, 2009 6:55 PM

@naturefreak85: You missed part of the idiocy in your analogy.

Kid 2: If you do that, the teachers will get upset with us for fighting and none of us will be able to come out for recess anymore.

Kid 1: I don't care what happens to the other kids. (breaks toy)

By being selfish bonus-grabbing idiots and running these companies into the ground, the CEOs and VPs and such are also putting a lot of people out of work who did nothing but honestly try to get their jobs done. And while the banks try to hold us hostage by threatening that our financial system will crash if we don't pay them off, the car companies are holding thousands of jobs over our heads and saying that the increased unemployment rate will cause the economy to crash.

\"Pay the salaries we can't pay because we screwed up trying the run the company or the whole world will come crashing down.\"

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heybtbm

March 18, 2009 3:08 PM

@naturefreak1985:

I'm glad other people see it that way. I'm not the only one.

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reviled

Let em fail and use the money it would take to bail them out (again) and use it to re-educate the laid-off workers so that they can find jobs in new, sustainable industries.

2 replies

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gStein_*|bringing starpipe back|*

March 18, 2009 4:30 PM

@reviled: i love this analogy

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richcreamerybutter

March 18, 2009 4:29 PM

@reviled: Absolutely! I have been saying this for a while too.

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lonestarbl

moneying... really? ugh

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karmaghost

March 18, 2009 3:06 PM

DO EEEEEEEEEEIT!

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waybaker

March 18, 2009 3:06 PM

Bailing them out sounds like a bad idea because it uses tax payer money, but if you stop and think about the ripple effect that a car manufacturer shutting down would have, the chunk of money we would be sending them would be small.

If GM shuts down, all their part suppliers will likely shut down. If the part suppliers shut down, the raw material suppliers shut down. Not to mention all the car dealerships, aftermarket parts dealers, and the indirect loss of the income of these people helping to create economic growth.

10 replies

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Sparkstalker

March 19, 2009 12:33 AM

@waybaker: \"If GM shuts down, all their part suppliers will likely shut down.\"

Not likely...those unfortunate to own a GM currently (like me) will still need plenty of replacement parts...

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Trai_Dep

March 18, 2009 4:47 PM

@waybaker: They (barely) had me before because of this argument, and the fact that the rank-and-file workers were totally screwed by incompetent, SUV-chasing, air standard-destroying execs.
I draw the line at blackmail, however.

Feed the execs to polar bears and provide lush layoff packages to the hapless workers.

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NICU

March 18, 2009 4:43 PM

@waybaker: This is wrong wrong wrong. There is a market for buying vehicles today. If GM goes out of business the amount of buyers does not change. The exact same amount of cars will be purchased. Other car companies will gain the market share GM loses. The other companies will have to buy parts and supplies, which can come from the best suppliers that supplied GM.

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lannister80

March 18, 2009 4:37 PM

@waybaker: Hmm, maybe we shouldn't be basing our economy on unsustainable technologies. Do people really think cars are going to be around *forever*? That that's how people 300 years from now will be transporting themselves?

High speed rail.

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richcreamerybutter

March 18, 2009 4:34 PM

@waybaker: See reviled's comment as a solution for part of this workforce. The others can be absorbed within their own industry, or adapt like the rest of us have had to do.

I do see your point, but realistically where are we going to store all the new unwanted GM cars if we just keep them going for the hell of it? Basically we're supposed to support an industry (and the rest of its food chain) even if people don't want the product?

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shepd

@waybaker:

Why is North America (especially the US) in such a mess that the only company that is really supporting the raw materials suppliers and parts suppliers is GM?

Well, I know the answer for the raw materials suppliers: Protectionism. The US keeps using it and it keeps hurting the US in the long term as other countries tell you to keep your steel (and other materials) in your own buildings if you want to play it that way.

Let GM fail. Let the rest of the chain fail. They will rebuild the US government by lobbying them to stop this protectionism bullshit and the US will be better for it in the long run.

Or keep cutting yourselves off from the long term global trades market by protecting local business in the short term and let the rest of the world pass you by.

Just my 2 cents.

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mac-phisto

March 18, 2009 4:39 PM

@shepd: nobody wants our steel b/c it's too expensive. it's too expensive b/c we pay a prevailing wage, have a higher standard of living & more rigorous health, safety & environmental codes for our workers & industry.

eliminate all those things & people would be buying just as much american steel as chinese steel. unfortunately, it would require reversing 100 years of advances for the american worker. are you prepared to give up your vacation/sick/family time, benefits, 40-hr work week, etc., etc.?

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heybtbm

@waybaker:

True...but think of it as a painful, yet necessary economic adjustment back to reality.

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The Waffle

@waybaker: That may be but the stance they are taking is wrong, have they made ANY of the changes that were requested of them to get the bailout money?

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ludwigk

@waybaker: Right, but you are also ignoring the opportunity cost of giving them all that money. That can go into infrastructure, education, health care, reform. Nothing is free, and the trade-off in this case is too severe.

Why prop up an antiquated, inefficient, gaping money pit when you can give money to something that is effective and working instead?

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ekthesy

March 18, 2009 3:07 PM

This is like the Rex Banner episode of The Simpsons where ex-Chief Wiggum tried to rob Homer with a gun that was missing the trigger and most of its handle.

\"Chief Wiggoner.\"

1 replies

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Crabby Cakes

March 18, 2009 4:54 PM

@ekthesy: That was on just last night! \"I can throw it really hard at you!\"

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Trae

On the one hand, if they Liquidate lots of people will lose their jobs and the economy will plunge itself nose-first into the substrata for another 5-10 years.

On the other hand, if they Liquidate... CHEAP NEW CARS FOR A FEW MONTHS!

I'm torn.

2 replies

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rorschachex

March 18, 2009 4:55 PM

@Trae: Maybe I'm naive or maybe I just don't give a damn anymore. I'm sick of all this \"if you let us die, we'll take you with us!!! Mwahahahaha!!!\"
Seriously, let them die, the economy won't plunge off the deep end (and if it does, well it's been going down that road anyway).

Also, why do they keep threatening us? Seriously, this is the equivalent of a guy robbing you, then breaking his leg and threatening you to take him to the hospital, or ELSE.

Or maybe I'm just reading into too much of this... ah fuck.

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Trai_Dep

March 18, 2009 4:49 PM

@Trae: The Circuit City guys will handle the liquidation.
C'mon, haven't you always wanted a chance to buy a $250,000 American car?

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sonneillon

March 18, 2009 3:11 PM

I prefer a Keynesian approach. Bail them out this year because it keeps unemployment down and Keynes would suggest high government spending, then arrange a takeover by ford next year and let the companies profitable brands be re marketed and the crap brands be scraped. You'll lose 30,000-40,000 jobs maybe, but you won't see the effect ripple.

1 replies

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j-o-h-n

March 18, 2009 10:23 PM

@sonneillon: Why on earth would Ford want to buy (any part of) that albatross!?

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jrembold

March 18, 2009 3:12 PM

they'll liquidate, sell off the debt, then we'll say prove it and then we'll have free cars.

sounds like a plan to me.

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Onion_Volcano

March 18, 2009 3:13 PM

na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goooodbyeeeee.

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Anonymous

This is supposed to be a free market society. These companies were allowed to drive us into debt with no hope a bailout. Now it's their turn to bail themselves out. It's time for some good old-fashioned Darwin economics.

1 replies

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Jim Topoleski

March 18, 2009 6:13 PM

@YachneCader: Um dont know what economics course your talking about, but the US has NEVER in its entire history been a free market.

People love to go on and on that we are, but history does a wonderful job of proving anyone who says that a moron who shouldn't talk.

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jrembold

just kidding. it read it as GMAC, not actually GM.

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bohemian

Let them liquidate. Use that money we would have wasted bailing out GM and instead use it as govt. financing for Tesla to take over one of GM's plants and start making that mass production sedan they are talking about.

Use the rest of that money for enticements to get other businesses to operate something useful in GM's old factories. Wind generator manufacturing, solar panel manufacturing, battery manufacturing, other car companies. Do something to get those parts suppliers and employees first crack and working for these new companies.

GM can't fight their way out of a paper bag.

5 replies

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wsycng

March 18, 2009 9:38 PM

That's an awesome idea.

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smackswell

March 18, 2009 7:22 PM

@bohemian: You want to throw your money into a big hole? Pre-order a Tesla car. That whole company sounds like a ponzi scheme.

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parad0x360

March 18, 2009 7:38 PM

@smackswell: As cool as the Tesla Roadster is, there is just no way in hell im getting rid of my highly reliable, comfortable, fuel efficient and incredibly fast Acura.

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veronykah

March 18, 2009 6:31 PM

@bohemian: Oooh, the Tesla roadster is hot. I'm all for it.
Could we have that as well as the sedan?

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NICU

@bohemian: How about the government just cuts all of our taxes so we can afford to buy a new car?

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Parapraxis

March 18, 2009 3:15 PM

I think I speak for most taxpayers when I say,

FUCK GM.

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acwatts

March 18, 2009 3:17 PM

But I like buying over priced low quality junk so some union jackass with a GED can make more than many university grads...and have better benefits.... Granted it is not the unions fault that management is retarded enough to allow the UAW to exploit the company...

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Plates

March 18, 2009 3:17 PM

GM has made decades of bad choices and has no real plan for the future. If they were a person, they could easily get elected Congress. Since they aren't they need to just pay for their actions. Enough rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

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failurate

March 18, 2009 3:17 PM

I don't think we have a choice but to let them fail. This is really horrible and will be really painful, but their brand image is so tainted by failure and they have done nothing research/development wise to save themselves. Bailing them out would just be delaying the inevitable. Of the big three, GM did the least to improve their image and quality of their vehicles. They instead kept trying to cut costs, trying to improve the margin on each vehicle. They wound up producing a whole lot of garbage.
Tapping Daewoo for their small car was just dumb. Daewoo's design and business had already been rejected in the U.S.

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econobiker

March 18, 2009 3:21 PM

Allow Saturn to throw away its GM imposed chains and be the small efficient car line it could have been...

Viva Saturn...though it may be too late.

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Corporate_guy

March 18, 2009 3:21 PM

What a coincidence, the liquidators for Circuit City just cleared their schedule.

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EricLecarde

March 18, 2009 3:21 PM

While I agree that a bailout would infact save the company would help the economic recovery of the nation, I cannot see the justification of saving a company that has so many times failed us in the past at either providing a decent vehicle or the continuation of producing cars that people cannot afford to drive. I site such cars as the Aveo and the Cobalt as examples of taking a good idea and cheapening it anyway possible. And this isn't just recent. About 15 years ago, my father bought a Chevrolet Cheyenne brand new. It wasn't but 4 years later did the radiator go out. My father had it replaced by Chevy 4 times before he took it to an independent mechanic who replaced the unit with a better radiator. That radiator lasted another 5 years before my dad traded the vehicle in for a minivan. Its things like that incident that leave a sour taste in my mouth about the brand.

If they want bailout money, they need to first show us that they are willing to put the customer first this time around.

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wgrune

March 18, 2009 3:22 PM

I have read that around 1 in 10 jobs would simply dissappear if the domestic auto makers collapsed. Granted we are only talking about 1 domestic auto maker here but I am not sure we want another few percent surge in the unemployment rate right now.

That being said, I think they need to declare banruptcy so they can rid themselves of their unions and their crippling contracts, and start over. Foreign auto makers are able to make a profit assembling cars in this country and part of the reason for that is that their employees are more reasonably compensated for their work.

1 replies

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Saboth

@wgrune:

I'm pretty sure that \"1 in 10\" number was brought up by the domestic auto manufacturers themselves. I don't buy it.

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Pious_Augustus

March 18, 2009 3:22 PM

I don't think you all understand, they will be bailed out because if GM fails and it will unless kept on life support the Unions will be hurt and the Union Restructering is why they will be bailed out because the Unions basically are an arm of the Democratic Party

And the Lord Art God Obama will not let his Unions fail though they have destroyed Michagian and the rust belt as it's now known

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Jabberkaty

March 18, 2009 3:27 PM

Don't you threaten me, you top-heavy wasters of copious amounts of cash. Do it! Liquidate! I effin' dare you. Double, nay TRIPLE dog dare you. Then maybe some other, hopefully better-structured company can move in and take over.

The gall! The utter gall... Just get on with it!

1 replies

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jeffbone

March 18, 2009 3:28 PM

@Jabberkaty: In other words:

\"Go ahead, make my day!\"

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failurate

March 18, 2009 3:27 PM

Saturn is dead. And, it's soul died between 5 and 10 years ago.

1 replies

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Verucalise (Est.February2008)

March 18, 2009 4:02 PM

@failurate: Yep, and it's not resting in peace either. It sold its soul to the devil.

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Jabberkaty

March 18, 2009 3:28 PM

wishes she could put in that comma she forgot. Right. Up. There. *inserts imaginary comma*

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Adhominem

March 18, 2009 3:31 PM

@undefined:

No, they'll start pricing them at 40% above MSRP and post signs that say 30% off!

2 replies

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BluePlastic

March 18, 2009 3:57 PM

@Adhominem: LOL! So true.

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FooSchnickens - Full of SCAR

@Adhominem: Ahhh, the way of the Target.

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HeartBurnKid, creepy morbid freak

March 18, 2009 3:32 PM

Let them liquidate. Whoever buys their assets would probably do a better job running them than GM does.

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Froggmann

March 18, 2009 3:34 PM

It's a bluff. I say stop bailing them out and make them make the hard decisions. People will buy their cars regardless, heck look at Chrysler. People have been buying their crap for years now knowing they are a weak company.

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Adhominem

March 18, 2009 3:35 PM

@sonneillon:

That won't solve anything. It will just create another \"Too big to fail\" company and we'll be back to square one in 10 years.

1 replies

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sonneillon

March 18, 2009 6:00 PM

@Adhominem: As opposed to 3 companies which are too big too fail?

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Adhominem

March 18, 2009 3:38 PM

@bohemian:

That's not a bad idea. Or maybe give Honda and Toyota 20 billion each to woo them into uprooting their HQ to America. Even that would accomplish more than throwing good money after bad.

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discordance

March 18, 2009 3:38 PM

Taxpayer to Rick Wagoner: DIAF

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tc4b

March 18, 2009 3:38 PM

@Naturefreak1985:

Who's asking to play with GM's toys these days?

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vladthepaler

March 18, 2009 3:39 PM

If GM can't be run in such a way as to be profitable, GM should die. It's no different than Circuit City, Virgin Records, or any of the other companies that are going down. Liquidation is appropriate. Giving taxpayer money to a company that has proven itself unable to manage itself responsibly is not appropriate.

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SergioDingo

March 18, 2009 3:41 PM

Is that a threat or a promise?

I hear Sepuku is all the rage these days.

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Adhominem

March 18, 2009 3:42 PM

@wgrune:

I wonder how many actual jobs would up and disappear as a result of this. Most large suppliers already outsource their work to China or Mexico.

1 replies

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Jim Topoleski

March 18, 2009 6:18 PM

@Adhominem: @Saboth: Here is the thing... do you REALLY want to know? I am being honest here because it really sounds like a lot of people dont believe it, but no one is saying I'll be accountable if the number turns out to be that or higher, and the country goes from a recession to a depression.

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zentec

March 18, 2009 3:43 PM

I'm not sure *what* General Motors does to make money. I saw news footage from 1987 when Ford was disbursing record profit sharing checks (their profit for that year was something like 4 billion dollars) and even then GM didn't make any money on the cars they built.

I was just a few blocks from GM headquarters on Monday, and the GM employees were out along the river for a lunch walk. Lots of H1B employees, which made me wonder why again I should \"buy American\"?

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vastrightwing

March 18, 2009 3:44 PM

Good bye!

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jasonkarns

March 18, 2009 3:44 PM

@sonneillon:

You could prefer a Keynesian approach. But you'd be wrong. Keyenes' theory is naive and short-sighted. It doesn't lower (or prevent) unemployment. It simply converts productive private sector jobs into bloated government agency jobs. It can't spur growth because what it needs to spend must first be siphoned from the private sector where wealth is actually produced. Keyenes' theory is as effective on the grand scale as an individual transferring $1000 from his savings to his checking (while pocketing $30) and then proclaiming a spike in income. True to form, all booms have busts, but the busts in the 20th century have only been prolonged and deepened by Keyenesian economics while sadling future generations with massive debt.

[www.google.com]

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razremytuxbuddy

March 18, 2009 3:46 PM

I assume if GM liquidates, the various components of the company will be bought and reestablished into one or more leaner, smarter business structures. This may mean jobs lost on a temporary basis, but the business will gradually reconstitute in a form that will work in today's economy, and the necessary jobs will materialize. I bet Warren Buffet is one of a few folks waiting in the wings, grinning and wringing his hands in anticipation of snapping up another bargain or two. I'm okay with that.

And I can't resist expressing my anger at GM, because I think GM's threat is just plain un-American. The way I understand it, the GM CEO needs to start speaking the truth, which would go something like this: 'We've let the American people down by failing for decades to keep up with foreign competition, and all of our little tricks we've used in the meantime to boost sales, such as \"Buy American\" campaigns and GMAC's financing gimmicks have finally come home to roost.' Then he needs to commit to methodically deconstructing the business through bankruptcy, receivership or whatever, and rebuild it with a structure that has a chance of surviving. IMHO.

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tc4b

March 18, 2009 3:46 PM

I know I'm naive, but the lack of shame these people display always surprises me. Your company SUCKS. It FAILED. Any money owed your company is owed by YOU and the rest of the mgmt that fucked it up royal. How can you even show your FACE in public, much less ask US for help?

Too much anger, I know. I'm not a big regulation fan, but frankly I'm starting to hanker for some legislation that would prevent ANY company from becoming 'too big to fail.' Oh, and for it to be enforced, no exemptions!

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UX4themasses

March 18, 2009 3:47 PM

GM needs to be broken back up into its parts. Lets see which brands can actually stand up on their own. I am confused as to why we think a large mega-corp could somehow be agile? Assuming they have 5-6 levels of management between the leads (front line) and the top level, how the hell does anything get done? IT DOESN'T.

The Republican leadership believed in trickle down economics. I do not believe it is true. What will happen if GM fails? Other companies will fill the gaps that are more suited to meet REAL demand versus perceived (GM is in need of failure, just to shuffle the blind and deaf leadership).

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Hobz

March 18, 2009 3:47 PM

Bail them out why? So that we can bail them out in another couple months AGAIN? Will this ever end? If the company does not have the products they need to survive off life support, then the never will.

Chevy Volt? Please... this was just a show car they pulled off the stage as a bone for the congressional dogs to gnaw at. If they electric car was a viable option for mass consumption then the Japanese would have already done it. The only thing the Volt will do is suck more money from the taxpayers that WON'T buy it.

As for job losses and an economic death spiral into the ground. Parts manufacturers don't just make parts for only one car company, that would be suicide. They will live on, perhaps with some job cuts but they will survive. As for the factory's... Hello Mr. Asian auto maker, want to buy a factory cheap? The technology will already be in place and a workforce willing to work will be knocking on your door when you decide to start making cars again.

I predict that if GM is allowed to go under, the will be back in 10 years anyways...

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aja175

March 18, 2009 3:47 PM

Just what we want. Cars designed by congress. As if GM wasn't a waste of steel and paint already.

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blog.hsh.com

March 18, 2009 3:48 PM

To this day, domestic automakers haven't provided consumers with any significant incentives to buy their cars. With all the bailout money they've received they have filtered their money from the top in hopes it will trickle out to the bottom. They should have offered thousands off their vehicles to drive purchasing incentives. If they sold more vehicles they wouldn't be in such a dire scenario -- that simple. On the other hand, when will the Washington and GM get the hint that no one's interested in their cars anyway.

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KyleOrton

March 18, 2009 3:49 PM

@ posaune - Thanks for explaining that. I had come to believe that Keynesian was a synonym for naive and shortsighted. Mostly because it's usually used to describe a naive and shortsighted program.

Wagoner's comments have to be considered extortion or treason. Make sure he gets nothing in compensation and be sure that he never gets another job.

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enriquez the water bottle

March 18, 2009 3:51 PM

But he says it wouldn't have the risk of scaring away customers or the huge expense of Chapter 11.

No, your shitty cars and the shitty economy are scaring off customers. Chapter 11 really wouldn't change that.

Call their bluff, America.

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Saboth

March 18, 2009 3:53 PM

I think some people miss the point. \"So if we don't bail them out, unemployment will go up slightly\" (sorry, I don't buy the hype that millions upon millions of job losses will domino from this). Ok, so you want us to bail them out to prevent a loss of jobs. Now, what do those jobs do? Make poorly made, poorly designed American cars that sell for the same price as better made, better styled foreign cars. So we will be paying them to keep making a product that isn't selling. Should I pay a guy to keep building houses even when no one is buying houses?

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Blue387

Why does this sound like a ransom note?

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ohnoes

I would like to point out that anyone who's followed Rick Wagoner knows that he tends to say stupid crap like this. I would take this report with a pound of salt.

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whydidnt

Tell GM to enjoy the liquidation. Many of us will enjoy the cheap cars available in the liquidation sale. The government can then take some of the billions earmarked for the bailout and invest in the people and communities impacted in a meaningful way. How about interest free loans or even grants to startup businesses that employee more than 3 people. How about meaningful career and skills training for displaced workers?

I think it's clear that if the government feels the \"need\" to help those workers and communities that would be devastated by GM's closing, it would be best served directly helping to address the problems there, rather than flushing more $ down the toilet so GM can fly Wagoner home to Seattle every weekend.

NOW is the time for the Government to call the bluff of these businesses and unions that seem to want to issue stupid ultimatums such as this.

Tell them to POUND SAND!

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Borax-Johnson

March 18, 2009 3:55 PM

Honk if I'm paying your mortgage

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gparlett

March 18, 2009 3:58 PM

Get terrible cars of the road? check
Deal a deathblow to the UAW? check
Save taxpayers billions? check

Sounds like the best overall solution to me.

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admiral_stabbin

March 18, 2009 4:00 PM

I think General Mills should acquire General Motors. The overhead of making cars out of cereal would be much less than steel. Probably more successful than GM on it's own, too. ;-)

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razremytuxbuddy

March 18, 2009 4:01 PM

\"admiral_stabbin
12:00 PM

I think General Mills should acquire General Motors. The overhead of making cars out of cereal would be much less than steel. Probably more successful than GM on it's own, too. ;-)\"

And we could all use a little more iron in our diets.

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failurate

March 18, 2009 4:03 PM

Although, bailing them out would cost a fraction of what bailing AIG out costs.

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Deezul_AwT

March 18, 2009 4:15 PM

Why does everyone continue to say, \"No one will buy a car without a warranty.\" You're IMPLYING you car sucks by saying that. Knock $5000 of the price of the car, and no warranty. I'll buy it. It last me four years, I'll buy another, because you built a quality car that didn't need to be taken to he shop every other month. STOP with the \"No warranty no buy\" talk already!

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DaoKaioshin

March 18, 2009 4:21 PM

fire rick wagoner

replace him with someone with backbone

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minsky

March 18, 2009 4:24 PM

Fine, go ahead and liquidate.

And fuck you, Wagoner.

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Stephen Brooks

March 18, 2009 4:26 PM

Hey its AIG here, since were not bailing out GM, can we have an extra 80 billion? Its not that much and just think how many more bonuses we could give out.

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radiochief

March 18, 2009 4:31 PM

Christ.

GM is a like addict looking out for another hit. You've seen that show on A&E? Intervention.

Well GM needs it. GM needs to sink or swim. We can't keep putting money into a business that perpetually loses money. Once, even twice is fine.. But really, they think they are going unlearn the last 35 years of mistakes in 6 months? No way.

I have more faith in the financial institutions paying the bailout money back before I think GM ever would, or be around to.

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SuperMacGuy

March 18, 2009 4:33 PM

No, no you do not.
I for one am for saving GM.

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runswithscissors

March 18, 2009 4:35 PM

Listen, whichever way this thing goes, my focus is on ensuring that Rick Wagoner and his executive team make it out of this mess with as many millions of dollars as possible. If any one of those poor executives comes out of this quagmire with less than $50 million in their pocket, then we the American taxpayers have failed them and we should all hang our heads in SHAME.

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meechybee

March 18, 2009 4:37 PM

Coming from a GM-employee family and as an owner of a GM car, I think they deserve to go under. They've done nothing but hamper innovation and bleed the life out of the few successful brands they had (Saab, Jeep, GMC Trucks). This tree should have been trimmed long ago.

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Tyler Waltz

March 18, 2009 4:37 PM

Goodbye GM!

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bobacus

March 18, 2009 4:38 PM

This is economic terrorism. Enough with THREATENING us. Only terrorists do that. GOODBYE GM!

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ZukeZuke

March 18, 2009 4:43 PM

Do it, LIQUIDATE!

Talk about a bluff.

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Trai_Dep

March 18, 2009 4:44 PM

Y'know, lending a helping hand is a LOT different that willingly becoming a blackmail victim.
Yet another case of Big Three Exec's actions screwing the hapless workforce, but on the bright side, every time a GM exec loses his job, a polar bear cub gets a new set of wings!

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akhil1980

I am amazed at how people are okay with bailing out the banks which do not manufacture a single damn thing. But when it comes to businesses that actually make things in the US, they get so riled up against bailouts. There is no difference between you folks & the blowhard Rick Santelli.

Do you even realize how trivial the amount would be in comparison to what we have & will end up paying the banks...And in the long run, this will end up helping more to sustain the economy than bailing out banks who got fucked up dealing with all this derivatives crap.

1 replies

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Brian Westermann

March 18, 2009 5:38 PM

@akhil1980: Yes I agree, it really is a shame. It has been said 2.5 million US jobs will go if GM goes under. That's just what we really need is another 2.5 million people losing their jobs. This company needs to be saved, and if it isn't, I shudder to think of what will happen to the economy.

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swintronix

It would be nice if some tangible thing of any kind was manufactured in the USA, but I guess it won't be cars if nobody wants to buy them. I've never considered a GM.

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NoWireHangers

March 18, 2009 4:50 PM

A few weeks ago a German car hit my Korean car. I'm now temporarily driving a Chevy Cobalt. This last part is the most tragic aspect of the car accident.

2 replies

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gStein_*|bringing starpipe back|*

March 19, 2009 2:08 AM

@NoWireHangers: i wound up in a Chevy Malibu. it's actually something that i wouldn't mind driving full-time, assuming someone else gets to pay for the repairs. (i actually really enjoyed driving it, because my camry has a 4-cylinder, and the malibu had a 6. mmm, power!)

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stevejust

March 18, 2009 8:52 PM

@NoWireHangers: In January I rented a Corvette from Hertz (one of those ZHZ special edition cars) recently to see what a flagship, \"halo\" car from GM is like.

The thing was a squeaky, creaky, POS. Maybe the roof and brakes squeaked because it was a rental Corvette. But the dash was creaky, and that was most definitely not due to Hertz's bad maintenance.
I had a Camaro 15 years ago. First, the paint flaked off, which they fixed by repainting the entire car. Then the alternator went out on it with 27,000 miles after the warranty expired. And that was when I broke up with American car companies. The 'vette only reconfirmed my belief GM can't build a car to save it's life. Literally.

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ClarenceCochonTheEasterPig

March 18, 2009 4:58 PM

@ NoWireHangers: Perhaps if you had been driving an American-made car, you would still be driving it...

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FuryOfFirestorm

March 18, 2009 5:05 PM

GM stands for Gimme Money!

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jallen80

March 18, 2009 5:10 PM

Spinoff time!!!!!

Chevy/Cadillac
Opel/Holden
Pontiac/Buick

Thats it.

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Jfielder

March 18, 2009 5:11 PM

Well how about this, tax payers bail you out, we all get a free Cobalt? God knows there's plenty to go around. I wouldn't really want to be a GM owner again... but if it was free...

Really though. I'm calling his bluff. I really don't think GM will liquidate.

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axiomatic

March 18, 2009 5:25 PM

By Jove! I believe GM just threatened us!

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boxjockey68

March 18, 2009 5:41 PM

ya know until recently, I was not wanting any of them to fail completely...now after rethinking that I say let em go, it is sink or swim when it comes to business....if you can't swim, then you sink. Simple concept.

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wkm001

March 18, 2009 5:42 PM

Even though I drive a Chevy Silverado.... Lets let this happen just one time so everyone knows exactly what happens. The bailed out companies and the public. There are enough bean counters in D.C. to track exactly how big of an effect this has. Lets do it!

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yaced

March 18, 2009 5:43 PM

My jetta got hit and they put me in a cobalt. I felt like I was driving a go cart. When I broke 60 mph i thought the doors were going to fall off.

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rickinsthelens

March 18, 2009 5:44 PM

American Motors, Duesenberg, Franklin, Hudson, Hupmobile, International Harvester, Kaiser, Nash, Packard, REO, and Studebaker, all lasted for a long time before going under. Is it time to ad GM to the list? BTW, GM came about because of the consolidfation and acquisition of several automakers. It has been near insolvency a couple of times in its history, but long ago.

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Tiber

March 18, 2009 5:45 PM

There's a reason the government doesn't negotiate with kidnappers. They have a habit of not releasing the hostage, and demanding more ransom when you comply. I don't like the idea of people losing their jobs either, but sometimes doctors have to stop treating the terminally ill. It would take years for GM to get back to profitability, if ever, and until then it would be a useless liability.

Sorry GM, but all good things must come to an end.

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whydidnt

March 18, 2009 5:46 PM

@akhil1980:

Actually everyone I talk with shares the opinion that the bailout of the banks was/is as stupid as the bailout of the auto companies. They both made bad business decisions. It's not like need for their products or services disappears if they do. We still need cars, we still need banks -- it's just someone else will step in and fill those needs, and probably do it better. AND, in so doing will want to hire experienced people to meet those needs.

As a country we have bought into this \"too big to fail\" stuff for too long. We're only feeding the fire by continuing to perpetuate that myth.

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chrisjames

March 18, 2009 5:50 PM

Bring it on, whiny bitches!

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GearheadGeek

March 18, 2009 5:53 PM

The Cobalt is relatively ancient and shouldn't be used as a benchmark to judge GM. The Impala is of similar vintage as the Cobalt, actually, and has proved to be a solid (if uninspiring) vehicle. The current Malibu is by all reports an excellent car and competes well in its space, though there are still many who'll buy a Camry just because it's a Toyota. I think if I had to choose between a Camry, a Malibu and an Altima I'd end up with the Malibu, though I wouldn't trade my Legacy Wagon for any of them.

GM's new monster crossover (Acadia, Enclave, Traverse) is good for what it is... an enormous familymobile (usually used by one person) that gets highway mileage competitive with V6 midsize sedans.

Cadillac's CTS is an outstanding vehicle in its class... slotting close to the 5-series BMW in size and below the 3-series in real-world price and offering refinement never before seen in GM's US products.

The company isn't without product, they just have 30 years of mediocrity to live down.

1 replies

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parad0x360

March 18, 2009 7:34 PM

@GearheadGeek: I keep hearing everyone say how great the new Malibu's are not just as a GM car but a car in general but I know 2 people who actually drive them...and they hate them.

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Oranges w/ Cheese hates what Christmas has become

March 18, 2009 5:57 PM

@GearheadGeek:

The Cobalt is relatively ancient and shouldn't be used as a benchmark to judge GM.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Cobalt debuted in '05? Maybe '04?

Perhaps you're thinking of the Cavalier, which the Cobalt effectively replaced, and was just as shitty.

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farcedude

March 18, 2009 5:59 PM

@undefined: @GearheadGeek: \"...though I wouldn't trade my Legacy Wagon for any of them.\"
Aha, the truth comes out! But that's okay, it's what I'd drive if I had a car (poor college student).

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Overheal

March 18, 2009 6:01 PM

We promise you GM, your reputation will be hurt more by blackmailing the taxpayers into a bailout than simply filing for chapter 11.

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orlo

March 18, 2009 6:06 PM

Time for full nationalization. Then make a cheap diesel \"people's car\" until electric can be phased in.

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Matthew Sadler

March 18, 2009 6:15 PM

My first four vehicles were all GMs. I knew my mechanic very well. Water pumps and alternators were a common thing to have to replace.

My current vehicle is a turbo diesel Volkswagen. Not only will I _never_ go back to GM, I'll never go back to a gasoline engine. The torque that little diesel motor has is incredible, and the mileage (averaging 500 miles on 12 gallons) is really good. Plus, none of that hybrid crap to worry about, like replacing a pallet load of batteries.

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tgpt

March 18, 2009 6:16 PM

@GearheadGeek: so what benchmark should we use to judge GM in the small car arena? The Aveo?

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GearheadGeek

March 18, 2009 6:22 PM

@Oranges w/ Cheese: The Cobalt is the same as the Saturn Ion, introduced as an '03... technically the Delta platform was \"new\" for the '03 Ion, but it was a development of older platforms and didn't break any new ground. Its biggest win was that it sucked less than the Cavalier's \"J\" platform. It was designed with the philosophy that small cars should be cheap, not good.

I have hopes for its replacement, the Chevy Cruze. The automotive press has had good things to say about it. I've had several Cobalt rentals and they're not as primitive as Neons but I'd choose a Focus if I had to have an American car in that class... overall probably an Elantra if I were going on price, a Mazda3 if I wanted to enjoy it.

1 replies

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edwardso

March 18, 2009 6:26 PM

@NoWireHangers: I rented a cobalt while visiting my parents. I could barely get it to 55, one of the scariest highway experiences I've ever had. I'd rather be on the beltway at 5 in the evening

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Justin Hysler

March 18, 2009 6:26 PM

Hopefully it will be

Washington to GM: Thats what you get.

With the way Washington has been working though, I wouldn't be surprised if GM DOES get a bailout.

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Jim Topoleski

March 18, 2009 6:28 PM

@GearheadGeek: Just because its a Delta, doesnt mean it should suck as much as it does (and I say this as a former owner and current owner of a Aura)

Not to mention if you have ever driven the European version of the Delta platform Astra, its a joy to drive, probably the best small car GM EVER made.

Of course GM brought it over and neutered it with a 4 speed auto and junktastic engine. Then refused to advertise it as a way to cripple Saturn. Just look at the Aura. The Malibu IS the Aura, yet one sells like hotcakes and the other barely moved.

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fruvous

March 18, 2009 6:28 PM

Buh buh, don't let the door hit you on the way out

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usa_gatekeeper

March 18, 2009 6:39 PM

Gm has already laid of so many people, closed so many plants and screwed over so many suppliers that they're no longer \"too big to fail\".

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GearheadGeek

March 18, 2009 6:41 PM

@Jim Topoleski: The Astra is definitely a better example of a Delta car, and I agree with you about the awful botch GM made of its introduction in the US. \"Let's pick the worst powertrain that fits in it and not market the car.\" I think they may have done that because they were actually importing them at first, they thought they could keep the volume low until they were assembling them here, they just didn't realize that the volume would be low enough that the accountants wouldn't let them gear up to produce them here. The Aura is a nice car, and I'm sorry I forgot about it... part of GM's sidelining of Saturn in general. I was interested enough to stop by a Saturn dealer to look at it even though I wasn't in the market for a car. Especially in XR trim it's a contender, though I think they botched the styling a bit. Oh, and they don't offer a wagon, but that's typical of cars sold in the US these days, Subaru now sells my beloved Legacy Wagon ONLY as an Outback, which doesn't appeal to me.

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P_Smith

March 18, 2009 6:57 PM

I knew a woman who dated an occasionally abusive loser, the type of loser who would say to her, \"If you left me, I'd kill myself.\"

I advised her to leave him and that she would be better off cutting all ties with him, and not to be around if/when he self-destructs because he might kill her as well.

GM's pedantic whine sounds exactly the same.

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valsharess1

March 18, 2009 7:02 PM

I'm really torn. Being that I live in SE Michigan, GM closing down would be disastrous to our economy. However, I don't like their cars and feel like they should have seen the writing on the wall years ago when Toyota and Honda started pantsing them. They insisted on making the heart of their product line enormous gas-guzzling trucks instead.

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Anonymous

March 18, 2009 7:13 PM

I am so torn about this issue. One one hand, GM clearly has been pumping out crappy cars for decades now and does not deserve to be in business anymore.

On the other hand (this speaks to the 1 in 10 jobs that would be lost) My partner, here in Boston, has a great job for a digital marketing agency. His main account is GM. He doesn't particularly like it, but the salary is nice and the work interesting. If GM goes under he and about 500 of his co-workers would most likely lose their jobs.

Then we stop going out dinner, cancel the cleaning lady, drop cable, don't vacation and so on in an effort not to lose our condo. And the 500 others, in his agency alone do the same and the thousands of others, involved just in marketing GM and so on and so forth. Then you start thinking about local dealers, who buy radio advertising and lunch at the local diner, radio station lays off folks and diner goes under and so on and so forth.. could be much worse than anyone imagines.

The ramifications are truly

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BillyDee_CT

March 18, 2009 7:53 PM

Why are we, the U.S. taxpayer, suppose to bail Rick Wagoner's sorry butt out when they can't manage to maintain a workable business model? While my parents had bought GM vehicles back in the 60's they turned to utter crap from the 70's on. Add to this they did little to improve their reliability or customer satisfaction. I proudly drive a \"rice burner\" and my friends and I would never buy a GM product anymore. Those of my friends with driving age kids say they won't touch an American-made overprice piece of junk. It's time to put GM out to pasture and let Rick Wagoner and his cronies rust in the field with the other GM relics.

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Jim Topoleski

March 18, 2009 7:59 PM

I own the XR trimmed Aura, and the only one nagging complaint I have on the entire thing is a lineup issue between the door and the dash trim. Thats it, the thing drives like a dream, better than any Accord I have ever driven, and is pretty responsive to driver input without completely shielding you from every little bump.

Not to mention having my car email me every month with its maintenance report is excellent. I dont think I have ever been this careful on keeping my tire pressure.

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kwsventures

March 18, 2009 8:03 PM

Give us taypayer funded welfare or we will shut our doors?

See ya, GM. Time to go belly up.

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kpetree10

March 18, 2009 8:05 PM

@NoWireHangers (Reply button didn't work), I recently ran into a tree with my Lexus ES (long story) and now I'm driving a Chevy Malibu, they wanted to put me in an Aveo and I was like... uh, no, how much more to upgrade? The Malibu is a nice car but it's not as nice as my Lexus.

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Imaginary

March 18, 2009 8:11 PM

Ooh please don't take your quality cars away from us!.............wait.
What a bunch of idiots.

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Quill2006

March 18, 2009 8:32 PM

My family has two Malibus, one of them mine. Honestly, they're pretty good cars, we haven't had any problems. I probably would have bought something else had we not known the owner of the dealership and gotten a fantastic deal, just because they're so uninteresting, but I can't complain about my car other than that it's rather boring, it's also very easy to drive.

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kingdom2000

March 18, 2009 8:44 PM

I use to \"bail them out\" because of all the people that would lose their jobs but at this point its pretty clear that companies are simply abusing taxpayers. AIG, the various banks, none of them have used the bailout money as intended and there is no indication that habit will change.

The money will likely go straight to higher up pockets of GM and the Union while the workers will get screwed anyway, it will simply just delay when they will have to bend over.

Nope, time to cut our losses and start letting these businesses fail. It is better to rip the bandaid off in one pull then this slow painful spiral we are currently in. Once bottom is achieved, the turn around can start.

Besides, busting that union may be beneficial in the long term. Yeah yeah \"unions are wonderful!\" to that I add \"use to be\". Now they don't really do a whole lot except line the pockets of the leadership of those unions (notice they live very good lifestyles). Unions had a time and place and they probably will again, just not currently.

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wsycng

March 18, 2009 9:37 PM

Go ahead...liquidate...see if I even care the slightest bit...

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Tom Lesh

March 18, 2009 9:44 PM

I did a search through the comments and only found one person mention that they live in Michigan! I live in Michigan myself and am employed by a company who does business with GM. The ripple effect of GM completely failing would be devastating, not only to our state, but to the entire economy! I personally don't agree with all of the business decisions that GM has made, but they have, directly or indirectly, created employment for a lot of my family, friends, and me! My thoughts are a bit scattered right now as it is the end of the work day, but consider this...

If GM fails, who will pay the health care costs for all of the unemployed workers who depended on GM? Health care is the largest industry in Michigan... GM employees have very good health insurance.

What happens to our public universities that depend so much on tax money here in Michigan? University of Michigan is the largest employer in the state.

What would happen if Chinese investors bought most of the assets GM would liquidate?

Would workers in other states be ready to compete with the huge number of unemployed skilled workers that would migrate from Michigan to their states?

Like I said, my thoughts are a bit scattered, and this is a scary and frustrating time for us all. I'm just asking those of you who are saying \"Fail GM, it's your own fault.\" to consider the fact that there are a lot of us here who would fail if GM was to fail. Maybe a bailout is not the answer, but complete failure is not the solution.

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jp7570

March 18, 2009 10:07 PM

GM, say hello to Circuit City when you get to retail pergatory.

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Anonymous

March 18, 2009 10:43 PM

There isn't a single GM car made in the past 10 years or so that I have been even remotely interested in buying. They failed to innovate, pumped out the same crap year after year and due the Unions they pay their employees way too much. I knew a guy who worked for GM as a \"broom pusher\" as he called it, cleaning up the shop floor and he made $25.00/hr + benefits.

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PsycheInamorata

March 18, 2009 11:33 PM

I have full sympathy the blue collars that will inevitably but completely screwed by this - but in all other aspects, good riddance, parasites.

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bananaboat

March 19, 2009 12:37 AM

Call his bluff! I'm tired of being his hostage - give us billions more or else we'll just liquidate and we're so big we'll take down millions of other jobs. I feel like I'm paying some thugs to watch my car in a bad part of town but I'm only paying them NOT to break into my car.

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lakecountrydave

March 19, 2009 12:51 AM

We need to break up all the companies that are \"too big to fail\". First, it will create more competition which will drive down the cost of the products and services. It will improve the products and services that are available to consumers as the companies compete to stay in business. The smaller companies that succeed will be able to adjust to changes in the market quicker. Most importantly it will be the biggest step we can make to ensure our country's national security.

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pixiegirl1

March 19, 2009 2:16 AM

My dad who's 73 years old rented a cobalt when he went to his army reunion last year and he couldn't believe how incredibly slow it was. He was scared to push it past 40 afraid it would fall apart. And it's not like he drives a fancy car and isn't \"use too\" a econo car, he owns a ford focus.

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frodolives35

March 19, 2009 2:50 AM

We need to talk about the unions and exec compensation.
I liked the way Ben and Jerrys worked the highest paid salary was tied to the lowest paid salary. Truly all boats rise and sink togather. The times of excutive compensation abuse is ending one way or another. Don't cry about the free market and capitalism we really dont have either one in a pure sense. There are alot of very pissed off people in the lower economic end of the spectrum. I am afraid that things can get very bad and the country that emerges will not be the freedom loving place I grew up in. If you are wealthy you need to wake up and exercise your power to stop these abuses because all the money ,property,and stock options in the world will not stop the wave of a populace who has had enough and is filled with blood lust. In the last century look what happened in Russia and China. Go back a little further and look at France these are not little 3rd world no name countries and there are plenty of little countries that terrible things have happened during uprisings (cambodia shudder).If it worked out for the long run is not the point the wave of death and destruction by a pissed off populace is. Right or wrong class envy and disdain exsist they are real and can lead to a countries downfall. I wonder how many wealthy elitests went to the giotine in france thinking WTF.

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CaptainConsumer

March 19, 2009 4:04 AM

[www.truthaboutdomestics.com]

Dear Meg Marco and the rest of the GM bashers. You SURE have fun tearing down GM, you're a million laughs. It's only jobs after all, but that's beside the point I'm going to make here.

You call yourselves a consumer friendly site. OK, when are you going to run the story that Toyota's Residual values cratered this past week? Fair is fair, no?

Gee huh huh, guess that's not news to a regular GM bashing site like Consumerist.

Do your job Consumerist don't make me do it for you. Here's here's the research, go read on it, write us a HUGE headline story with some snarky headline about Toyota. C'mon, you can do it......

The Automotive News has a big article on it, also see:

[www.autoblog.com]

When you're done writing on that maybe you could write an article about Toyota begging the Japanese government for BILLIONS in a bailout. What, you didn't hear? Oh yes, Toyota is doing what GM is doing, only in Japan. So is Honda, and Nissan, you know the brilliant economic minds who build so many cars they can't keep them is stock. Yeah, those companies.

Come on Consumerist, I quote Ted Knight in Caddyshack:

\"Well.........WE'RE WAITING....\"

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BlazerUnit

March 19, 2009 6:02 AM

I am a liberal who frowns upon unregulated capitalism. I tend to side with workers, if not specifically unions. I know that letting GM fail will screw American manufacturing power indefinitely, and don't want it to happen.

And with Rick Wagoner's latest comment, I hope the bastard gets shanked. It serves no useful purpose but to dare people into action, or inaction, when cooperation with the feds (and therefore, taxpayers) is what GM should be doing.

It seemed impossible, but right wing dopes may have successfully turned me against this car company. If GM would go ahead and do what is necessary instead of relying on a new business model that asks for more federal money, they'd be on their way.

1. Accept a federally managed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. (\"But what about our sales, nobody will...\" Shut up. Nobody's buying them NOW, they don't have the money.)

2. New, reorganized company: Chevrolet Corporation. Makers of Chevy, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC. And that's it.

3. Renegotiate contracts with unions to guarantee better-than-living wages and pensions for workers. If Ford and the UAW can work in harmony, ChevyCorp can too.

4. New, more stringent rules for dealers that enhance the buying process and the brands being sold. Fairer, haggle-reduced pricing. Less intimidating service departments.

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MooseOfReason

March 19, 2009 10:28 AM

We're rewarding incompetence at the cost of tens of billions of tax dollars. That's not capitalist, and it doesn't make economic sense.

Let them go through the bankruptcy process.

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Anonymous

March 19, 2009 11:13 AM

It's funny, because back when all the auto companies were offering \"employee discounts\" to everyone, they extended the offers longer than planned, because they were seeing such great profit. Greed at it's finest. What they didn't seem to think about was that all they were doing was flooding the market with used cars and consumer debt via new car loans. Now, here we are. Everyone has a two year old car, over their head in payments, and no market for a new vehicle.

Let them either come up with something that the American public will buy, or shut down. It's not my responsibility as a taxpayer to rescue them. I have never in my life received a stimulus check from GM, so, why should they see anything from me?

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Onion_Volcano

March 19, 2009 11:32 AM

GM should just make engines and sell them to other manufacturers. They can shitcan the rest of their operation.

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missy070203

March 19, 2009 12:26 PM

finaly I wont have to see or hear those freaking annoying commercials anymore!!!! ie; \"my country\" blah

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Mary Marsala with Fries

March 19, 2009 1:37 PM

ROFL @ \"The Station\" Wagoner.

I'd be in favor of bailing them out IF the Michigan government would disengage its lips from their tailpipe long enough to do something for all the workers this would devastate.

It a law called EMINENT DOMAIN, and it would allow the government to seize their buildings, equipment and remaining assets and use those to (if they were smart, which I'm not saying they are) re-educate and re-employ workers. Or, you know, keep them all from losing their homes while they're unemployed.

It'll never happen, because Michigan's government is permanently fixed in doggy-style position with regards to car companies...but it would be the best way out, I think. Fuck 'em, yes, but don't let them take the workers (who did *nothing* to deserve this) with them.

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Mary Marsala with Fries

March 19, 2009 1:38 PM

@Mary Marsala with Fries: Sorry, misspoke -- I meant I'd be in favor of LETTING THEM FAIL if the government would exercise eminent domain for the benefit of the workers. Apologies.

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AuntNi

March 19, 2009 4:16 PM

No kidding! I've felt like I was witnessing preschool-age tantrums ever since the financial crisis began. \"But Ma, he's getting a bailout! I wanna bailout! If I don't get a bailout, I'm gonna lay down on the floor and scream! Waaaah!\" How do we deal with tantrums, people? We ignore them!

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Anonymous

March 19, 2009 5:07 PM

@AuntNi: Hah, good one. It's a good thing we ignored AIG, eh?

And to the person who compared a Chevy Malibu to a Lexus ES, get real. If you're going to make a comparison, please make sure you're comparing vehicles that are in the same class!

GM is going through a very tough time right now and working hard to get better at its core business.

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consumerd

March 19, 2009 6:51 PM

While I love my 2005 avalanche and think it's an awesome vehicle, I can't say I agree to saving GM.

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JasonRyanIsaksen

March 21, 2009 3:44 AM

It's amazing the shortsightedness people have. Like has already been said, it's not about GM, it's about the 10,000 companies who provide parts to build their cars. It's not just the GM worker jobs we lose, but the job losses of the providers of stereos, screws, tires, and the rest that's the real nightmare of them closing up.

You might think that being the Governor of Michigan would be the worst job in the world right now, but there's a much worse one. A business owner of a parts supplier where if they stop buying windshields, stereos, GPS units, that all those companies that number in the thousands will each have to lay off people or close.

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thaShady

March 22, 2009 6:18 PM

I don't want to sound dumb, but what will happen if they liquidate? I know it means they are gunna sell off all their assets, but how will this effect me?