Dejected in Detroit

[Bozita]

http://www.freep.com/article/20081206/BLOG2501/81205118

BARB ARRIGO
Dejected in Detroit
DECEMBER 6, 2008


Perhaps I’ve always had too much pride in being a Michigander, and this is my fall, but never have I felt the pain and sadness of being part of flyover country as much as in the past few weeks.

It started with the feeding frenzy over the Detroit 3’s jets, and the various grillings – and poor showing of the execs themselves – in front of Congress. I realize guys who make cars should want to drive them, but what other major industry would tolerate its CEOs spending hours on the road? It’s simply not the best use of valuable time and, as we all know, driving is more hazardous than flying.

Yet if they had taken the bus or flown Northwest, then used Washington’s Metro subway system to get to the Capitol, they surely would have been treated as if they were the rubes everyone inside the Beltway and throughout the blogosphere pictures us as being. You know, dirt under our fingernails, carrying wrenches and lunch buckets, dressed to match the Diego Rivera murals at the DIA (see image at right).

I mean, how dare we think that we might even hold a candle to people on the coasts? That we might have the brains and sophistication to run big complicated companies? That workers who put cars together deserve a decent wage, and workers who’ve retired merit health care and a pension? Yeah, we’re stupid all right, and need to be crushed underfoot like ants in case the rest of flyover country hasn’t gotten the message yet.

more...

[FarCenter]

1. I thought that this was going to be about the Lions...

[sufrommich]

2. lol. nt

[Bozita]

3. That one's titled "Hopeless in Detroit."

[Uben]

4. It's not that we think people who build cars shouldn't earn.......

...a good wage and get benefits. It's that we think that people who build televisions, sew clothes, clean buildings, bag groceries, teach, serve, cook, or perform any other job deserve the same consideration. They do not. And they have not for decades, so what you are experiencing is what these folks have been experiencing for decades. I have worked at a plant where vehicles are assembled.
It was one of the best paying jobs I have had (non-union, too), and the skills required were no more than that of a fast food worker.
So, while you are moaning for your jobs back, why not jump on the bandwagon for the rest of Americans who have not had the benefit of good wages and benefits for the last forty years?

Detroit's woes are the result of bad management decisions, as well as the terrible economy. We have known for years that peak oil was nearing, yet we have not seen real investment by the auto companies in alternate fuel vehicles. Why should America pay to keep idiots in business? Answer:we should not!

I spent 12 years as a union worker, enjoying good wages and benefits. I also have done my time in management in union plants. I have seen good unions and bad unions. I still don't see what makes union workers any better than the guy down the street putting together furniture or windows. I believe in fair wages and I think all employers should provide insurance coverage, but not at the expense of going broke, like the auto companies are doing.

You are not the only ones who feel like they are being crushed like ants. The rest of us have felt like that for decades. So, instead of fighting for just your jobs, how about seeing that the rest of Americans are getting the same compensation as you? If you expect all Americans to dole out their tax dollars for you, then you should reciprocate and take a stand for ALL Americans.
Unions don't do that, I know. They look after themselves only.

Maybe that's why most Americans think bailing you out is a lost cause. I know I do.

[JVS]

5. Amen!

[gizmo1979]

6. You're an idiot

The difference is all the collateral damage that will happen if the Big 3 are allowed to fail.Even republicans have seen this yet for some irrational reason you still hold onto your hatred for the American auto industry.Wake up the car industry has been down before it will come back unless people like you keep writing their obit.