Boycott Alabama Now

suzy48212 I am sorry you have cancer. I hope you situation is treatable. However, if you are going to insult my spelling and grammar you should at least make sure yours is correct!

james i too have cancer can`t stand hsn have to much to do when i get home from work.james you shoud have stayed in school and finished high school.your reasoning and spelling speak volumns!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe UAW ….I guess you have no bigotry or slums in the North? Year right! I saw the slums in Downtown Detroit. I wonder how many of those poor people could be working if the UAW had not priced their employer out of the market. I have also seen the conditions the migrant workers who pick cherry’s in Traverse City live…and it is not pretty.

I also remember back in the 80′s a sad story about a couple UAW thugs getting drunk in a bar and beating a Korean man to death because they thought he was Japanese!

As for education, Detroit is certainly no role Model. I checked on line to see Detroit South Western high school has an average ACT score of 14. The entire State of Michigan posts and deplorable average of 19. Alabama Statewide by the way posts an average SAT score of 20.4.

As for grabbing something while I am drowning….I think I will grab on to a set of Keys to a new Honda Pilot!

sure the south is racialy friendly, the black community have slums for schools and much lower scores, the hispanic community live in migrant houses ment for 4 people with 12 occupants. no health care and when one gets sick or injured they are left off at the steps of the clinic or hospital. which the taxpayers have to pick up. sure you get along with the black community, just as long as they can run a football or dunk a basketball.card check is comming to a work place near you, and i am sure you will embrace it, because afterall the you dont fear the uaw . nobody will vote for it so embrace it you have nothing to fear. asd far as hoffa goes i dont belive the teamsters pres. was ever found guilty of anything but keep on reaching just like a drowning man.maybe you will grab hold of something.

For all you Yankees making red neck comments I have this to say……I can understand why you are so miserable. I went to A Michigan football game and was taken back by how fat your women are. I would be misreable too. Our Southern Bells have it all over your plump little porkers. Perhaps your ladies learned to sit on their ass all day from their lazzy UAW daddy.

Lawmantoo…. I dont think we can blame engineering. Quality controll and consistancy cost money. The big three can not provide that because they have to pay the Union wages and benefits while competing with the transplants on price. That would not be so bad if they got an honest days work out of UAW members. Unfortunatly they only actuall work for about 4 of the 8 hour they get paid each day…Then overtime pay kicks in.

The big 3 has to cheapen the end product so Joe UAw can live on Easy Street!

I understand this site is sponsored by a former G.M. Engineer. I suppose he is a person who can educate me with regard to the worn down cams on the defective crank shaft installed in the new Chevy I bought in the Sixties or the sheared off defective rear axle on the brand new 73 Buick Wagon as my kids watched the rear tire and axle pass the car at 60 MPH just before the crash. Perhaps he’s the one who I should question for the sheared defective axle on my new 78 Olds with the Brazilian-made V-8 that delivered less power than my snow blower. How would he explain the frozen Engine caused by a defective plastic engine part that cracked in my new 98 LeSabre or the loss of tranny fluid right after I bought it because those “wonderful” UAW workers failed to install the housing gasket. Perhaps he has a good explanation for the defective passing gear in the automatic tranny.

I paid more than a thousand dollars for an extended warranty when I bought the car that covered some of these needless repairs. The point is that they all resulted from the design and manufacturing errors and not from use.

Then I was introduced to Toyotas and Hondas. (you know, the folks NOT asking for a dole). Other than tires and mileage related repairs, these vehicles have been engineered and built right. They do not break down.

Taxpayer financed Bailouts???? (Excuse me, “loans”) Give me a break.
The U.S. manufacturers have earned their reputations.

FORD Fix Or Repair Daily

Chrysler So bad Mercedes Benz even threw them back.

General Motors Read my experience above

Mr. Engineer, Open your eyes. Anyone who has purchased your products have a bone to pick with you and your fellow “designers” who have continued to cheapen the product while raising the price. One reaps what one sews.

Joe UAW….If you want to dig up old dirt about intimadition how about those union mobsters like Jimmy Hoffa and Joe Provonzano! They killed people. The South grew up and is now very racially friendly. You Union Northern Democratics as still playing the mobster games….look at the Govenor of Illinois.

As far as getting Card Check South we are all laughing at you. I bet you were the kid in ninth grade that could not pass Algebra so you became the class clown to bring everyone down to your level. Perhaps you were the high school football player that could not start so you tried to get the other kids so skip practice ansd smoke pot with you.

james i do thank you for your words of wisdom. when you speak of not intimidating people i guess the pages in my history book are mistaken, like the crosses that were burned, or the bodies that ended up in swamps, or even the trees with the nooses in them. and i am sure those good ole boys you speak of wernt in those bed sheets trying to intimadate people. i am glad you are sooooo religious but lets let all the people speak . cant wait for card check, by the way i bet the bar b q is good there, i just love that stuff.thank GOD for the UAW

Hey Joe UAW 2000 Good luck….you will need it. Us Southern workers have a good relationship with our employer. We appreciate them and want to compte with all you Yankees. We get a fair days pay for a fair day of work. It is between our employer and us. If I need to hire a third party to negotiate on my behalf then my religous beliefs tell me not to work for that company.

What is Card Check anyway???…is that the thing where everyone knows how I vote. If I vote against the union and the union passes then I will be the toilet bowl cleaner on midnight shift. Us good’ol Southern boys don’t like intimidation tactics! Down here card check will back fire….those who vote union will get the shaft when the union vote fails!

Forgot to mention to you Michigan folks….thanks for sending us Nick Saban and Ingram. Ingram is our star freshman running back from Flint. Guess his daddy advised him to get the hell out of Unionland!

Keep you Unions up north. We don’t want to end up like Y’all. It is much easier taking you Yankee money the way it is now!

I hope i do get a chance to come down to the south, it will give me a good feeling to help the uaw with card check, there is nothing like helping a person to better themselves. just think of all those new members to the uaw. instead od flying your famous flag, you can proudly display the uaw banner

Detroit

Casino’s
Strip Joints
Union Halls
Kid Rick, Madonna, Eminem
Lion’s Football
Wolverens
Red necks of Taylor, Allen Park, Lincoln Park Romulus, Ecorse, Dearborn Heights, Garden City Westland
Ice and Snow
Mean Spirited UAW Members about to loose thie jobs
Debbie Stabenow
High taxes
Almost forgot the Detroit Mayor..Quami in Jail!

Alabama

Churches
Sports fields
Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl
Gulf Shores
Sunshine and Blue skies
Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Nucore, Tyssen Krupp, Tanker Contract
Republican Leadership that knows how to make money
Low taxes

Come on down ya’ll. Tear up your union card and prosper. We are not going to follow your union model and screw up a good thing!

the republican southerners on here are quite defensive. cant imagine why. can it be that the quality they speak of on the jap cars like that of toyota which lead the world in recalls or the fact that ford motor co. has met or exceeded them in quality . when card check is in place and the hard working blue collar people in those plants are given a chance to vote for representation in collective bargining to recieve proper compensation in pay and benifits for their hard work without the boss man over their shoulder, ofcourse they will vote for it.when president obama and the congress place the same terrifs on the imports as is done in their country , and if they are willing to pay $5000 more for their jap carother than a comparable american car, then do it. i think the wallet will speak louder myself. the republicans feel this is their last shot at the unions before card check is inacted . the republicans want to hold up a broken uaw to the rank and file and say do you want this to happen to you, if so dont vote for a union.henry ford and his goones couldnt hold down the uaw and neither will some red necked republican . thank GOD for the UAW.

I get a real kick out of the UAW folks that think Shelby is blocking their loan for the benefit of auto production in Alabama. Shelby has consistently been against bail outs. He was against the Chrysler bail out in the 80′s and the recent $700B bail out for Wall Street.

Even if Shelby was trying to protect auto interest in his state, you UAW members have no moral authority to attack him. The UAW has always operated with the intention of getting the most money, benefits, and protection in exchange for as little work as possible. You are all about YOU! You don’t care about anybody but YOU, but you have a problem with Shelby acting in his own interest?

Perhaps some of you might be interested in this. Doesn’t look to me like there’s a lot of difference in wages for all the companies.

The Associated Press
3:37 PM CST, December 12, 2008

Hourly wages and labor costs at factories owned by the Detroit Three came under scrutiny this week when senators questioned whether the struggling trio’s union contracts make them uncompetitive with foreign automakers that have U.S. factories.

This is a comparison of average hourly wages at the automakers.
General Motors: $29.78 Ford: $29.00 Chrysler: $30.00 Toyota: $30.00 Nissan: $25.00 Honda: $27.62
x-Nissan and Toyota hourly wage rates do not include profit sharing. Honda includes profit sharing but not attendance bonus. Toyota figure is at older factories with older work forces.

Source: Automakers, Center for Automotive Research. Figures can vary by factory.

Steve – you are an arrogant ass. My husband and I are living paycheck to paycheck. We don’t buy anything on HSN and we have never been to a casino. We are trying desperately to manage our finances, but it is difficult to do with a $50,000 debt from my husband’s cancer treatments that were not covered by our “gold-plated” UAW health insurance.

Suzy…If you are in the UAW you must be making plenty of money. If you are living pay check to pay check you are not managing your finances very well. Stop buying everything you see on the Home Shopping Network and gambling in the Detroit Casinos and you will be in fine shape.

I hear you people refer to yourself as the “little” people all the time. Fact is you are rich in my opinion.

i`m not a uaw employee.i can`t believe all these people think its the fault of the unions.the economy took a nose dive after gas reached 4.50 a gallon then everyone wanted small cars.now the car companies are to blame.no way!the big oil companies made profits never reached by any us company.where was big mouth shelby then?i bet conspiring with the oil companies and padding his pockets with the rest of the good ol boys.come jan.a change in the white houseis just what this country needs.my hope is as a country all of its people can go back to thriving once again,not just the select who want to keep us living paycheck to paycheck.

i really wish the big three would go down
and they should
but they wont because obama is a democrat which equals PRO UNION
so all u american made car fans can rest easy
obama will bail you out
even though american made cars are CRAP

I have read all the comments so far- It seems to me that everyone has lost site of what is happening to our country. The boycot alabama now is a reaction to a congressman. Making a statement. Michigan is hurting and has been for a lot longer than the rest of this country. Soon all across the United States of America will be hurting the same. Unfortunately for Michigan it is auto industry based state. Many or industries will fail if we don’t get a handle on free trade and this global market.

F.Lietzke

Thank you very, very much. We don’t want people like you visiting our state anyway! How about if Alabama were to call for a boycott of the UAW. How would you like that?

joe uaw local 2000

LOL. Right. While I’m at home. You have no idea who I am or what I do for a career. As a matter of fact I am working right now and away from home, as in out of the country. That means in a different country, there are other places in the world you know, or maybe you don’t. As for working hard, Union mechanics and millwrights don’t last on the jobs I work on. Its too hard for them!!! You have no clue or concept of the world outside your Union Rose lensed glasses. Your Unions haven’t gotten squat for me or any of my family. I have the wages and benefits I do because I have worked hard at what I do all my life without being given things I haven’t earned. I have seen first hand within my own company what your “inferior” union products result in. What needs to happen is let the big three go under starting with GM. Then can the Unions and the executives and bring in proper management to turn the companies around and make them profitable. The worker’s and executive’s wages should be based on the product and the economy. If the Unions are so great then why are their products not selling? Other car companies are suffering but not going under. I like many other Americans have had it with the crappy quality products you produce which is why we have been forced, yes forced to find other alternatives for our hard earned dollars. And now you want us to loan you money to continue to build these products. I say GO BANKRUPT and get a real job where your pay is based on performance and quality.

My wife and I and about 4 other couples all driving seperate cars normaly go to Fl. together and go down the Rt#69 to Rt# 65 and into Alabama stay over night in Alabama and the next day travel on into Fl. but this year we are going to go to Nashville and then go toward Alanta Ga. and by pass Alabama.I am a retired salary person from Gm. and hope Alabama needs some help some day we will sure help them out the door. The Sen. don’t know what he is talking about, He is just talking out his A–So I guess he don’t need any of our finances in his State. Please everyone BY-PASS ALABAMA
Fred

Jim there you go again, you just miss the whole thing. You are showing your ignorance by dwelling on a dollar. the union and its membership have made huge concessions obviously many more than your closed mind can comprehend but you get on here and make wild accusations. stick to your anti union tirade i dont care, i have seen many people like you over my many years in the plant , right on the line i might add. its people like you who on their first day doing half of a job and by the first break they are heading for the door crying to mommy, i have seen hundreds just like you. face it you just dont measure up to that hard back breaking work but you are envious of those who can, but you hate instead of appreicate. i will leave you with this, this weekend while your at home remember it was the union that got that weekend for you along with numerous other things that you dont have insight or intestinal fortitude to understand

joe uaw local 2000

I’m not a Republican, I’m Independent. And I have plenty of backbone to stand up for my family and my State. Nobody said anything about the UAW working for nothing. The wages and benefits of typical UAW workers and the Executives that have mismanaged these companies is ridiculous given the economic situation you have gotten yourselves into. A loan for you to continue down the same road is not logical. This problem did not suddenly happen overnight. GREED is one of the primary reasons for your dilemma, pure and simple. The UAW has repeatedly blackmailed the big three over ridiculous things such as the job banks and numerous other expenses. I’m not opposed to loaning money to the big three. I’m opposed to loaning money to the big three with the corrupt UAW’s hands deep in everyone’s pockets and the current management’s ridiculous salaries and bonuses. I am informed. I do get it. The holiday is over for the UAW. Wake up and smell reality!!! Its time to come to the people of the US with a REAL PLAN, not more of the same BS!

you poor uninformed person. if the uaw workers worked for nothing it would not help a bit. the leadership of the big three and the uaw have come up with a solution to the problem, the rub is they have run out of time and money. the big three need a LOAN to keep millions working, but the shallow thinking people like you want to blame hard working people at the uaw for the problems. the ceos have accepted the blame and are working on correcting it. you let some rednecked republican convince you that it has to do with the uaw taking a dollar cut in pay, you have no idea what concessions the uaw has made the only thing you know is the crap the republican party wants to feed you. have some courage and dont be a mushroom bieng kept in the dark and bieng fed crap. stand up and show some bacckbone think for yourself

I agree with Archie. I had to tell my son that his UAW Grandfather would take our nation in to a severe economic depression before giving up a few bucks to keep his employer, GM, in business. My son can’t understand why granps is so willing to hurt all of us.

Folks,

Jim is right. I live in Alabama now but grew up in Dearborn Michigan. My entire family works in the auto industry. I have a good understanding of both sides of the situation. I can tell you that the UAW and Michigan menatlity is a death nail. I am so angry that the UAW membership will not contribute to the bail out that I bought a Toyota Tundra today.

No JBK the website and the attitudes of the UAW are coming through loud and clear to Alabamans. Like I said, the UAW want to insult Alabama and think you can actually hurt us, go for it. Since I became aware of this website and the attitude of the UAW I have sent out these links to everyone I know in AL. They are in turn doing the same. Your boycott is BS. It will hurt you much more than us! As you can see I’ve had quite enough of this. As long as that site stays up your UAW vehicle sales will continue to drop!

So many of you are missing the point of the Boycott Alabama website…Mr. Shelby is arrogant, and uneducated. Rather than roll up his sleeves and come up with some constructive input on a potential solution he has wasted his time pointing fingers, ridiculing, and being devisive. There are other Congressmen who did not agree with the bailout plan like Corker from Tennessee who actually contributed a plan to fix the situation. Shelby is an embarrassment to our government and our country.

Bottom line buy American cars,trucks,suv’s etc… stop sending profits to japan. Check yourself were do you live !!!!!

There is only one reason the UAW desperately wants into the Auto plants in Alabama, MONEY. This says it all about the UAW.

http://www.eyeblast.tv/public/video.aspx?v=ydprIr4zpr

This is why my company has lost many contracts to overseas competition. When assembling equipment there was a given amount of hours for each phase of work. The Union workers would slow down and leave early (having others clock them out) and burn up every last minute of the budgeted time to complete their portion of the work rather than finish early. This would have allowed other crafts (that were being delayed) to complete their work faster as well. During the bidding phase of equipment sales these costs were reflected in the final cost. These Union practices were directly involved in my Company losing contracts. Well guess what, many of these Union workers are now laid off and unemployed! I work in the field so my job is very secure and I’m proud to be an American worker that is NOT UNION!!!

The bottom line is if the Union workers had done their job properly they would still be working and the contracts would be coming in. As well quality really suffered. The combination of uncompetitive pricing and lower quality has lost my company many contracts. The job bank thing just blows me away. Gee, I can’t understand why the little three are losing money.

I think that Mr. Babiasz’s approach is not correct. I see all of the senators true colors are now showinng. We heard everyone saying in the recent election that they did not want to support Wall Street but they would support Main Street. Now the Senate has voted to spend 700B to support the Wall Street financial buyout but they will not spend 34B to support 5,000,000 jobs on Main Street. We now know which side their bread is buttered on. Wall Street supports their campaigns with billions but Main Street supports with peanuts. Therefore Main Street can be damned.

bottom line is shelby is lining his pockets with the sweat and blood of those poor uninformed people that belive the company will look after their best interest. well my dear southern friends the uaw will come to their rescue and organize them and this scares mr shelby. the north had to come down there a long time ago and put those red necks in their place and looks like its time to do it again.(b.o.h.e.i.c.a.)I am proud to be a yankee

Don’t Fret Detroit folks! Good ol’ Southern Boy ‘Georgie Bob’ Bush will cave over the weekend and dispatch his Treasury Lackey, Paulsen, to the ‘Taxpayers ATM Machine’ to pull out your $14 billion welfare dollars to tide you all over while he is busy packing his ‘Carpet Bag Luggage’ to sneak out under the cover of darkness and hide away from the Nation. Much the same as he has done lately; isn’t he out at the Crawford Ranch this weekend spending quality time with his Scottish Hound Dog, Barney?

Theresa – the UAW members do contribute to their pensions. During my husband’s 30 year tenure, money was deducted every week that went to the pension fund. As far as paying for health care, see my post from yesterday.

Again, why does everyone seem to think that the GM pensions are putting retirees on Easy Street? My mother, as a retired teacher, my cousin as a retired policeman, and my sister-in-law as a retired postal worker, all get more in their pensions than my husband does.

I’d also like to comment about the UAW not making wage concessions. It is my understanding from what I heard on the news today that it was a last minute demand from the Republican caucus that they immediately change their wage structure to what Toyota etc. pay. I applaud the UAW for not caving in on the spot without doing some real deep research into exactly what the foreign carmakers pay and what exactly their benefits are. What if you worked at say, Sears, for $10 an hour and management came to you and said that Home Depot workers make $9 and so your pay is now being changed to $9. Would you just say okay, that’s fine with me, or would you want to know all the facts and verify that is what Home Depot workers makes. And why were none of the thousands of Wall Street and banking employees not told that they would have to have their wages and benefits changed?

I think that since the big 3 have plants all over the world to save money in labor and costs they should also be asking the foreign countries for money also. I am a person who has always bought a gm car, but knowing the it is not ” made in the USA” entirely makes me think that maybe a foreign car may not be a bad idea. I also think that is the UAW members want a pension, they should have been made to contribute to their own demise, same goes for health insurance. You want it or need it pay for 3/4 or all of it. My husband is a retired union man and he pays for our health insurance from his own pension which is 785.00 a month. So, quit whining and cough up if you want to help the big 3

It is a real eye opener to read the foul language and name calling the militant UAW workers use to make their feeble arguments. It clearly illustrates the lack of education and child like mentality of the average UAW worker. You folks throw temper tantrums until you get you way. Well that tactic will not work anymore. You can not write a coherent paragraph free of curse words and still make over $30 per hour! Your refusal to contribute even $1 per hour to the improvement of you employer’s financial situation while expecting their rest of your countrymen to make you a risky loan has turned off your customer base. Bubba in Alabama will convert from a GMC to a Toyota Tundra.

Roll Tide

Actually Senator Shelby has been against all the Corporate bailouts. And he is against a bunch of arrogant corporate executives and UAW leaders telling them to just hand over “my money” without having the courtesy to at least give Congress a reasonable business plan to guarantee that the loan won’t be used for things like, gee let me see, flying in corporate jets to ask for the money. I don’t think that is too much to ask for. IF the US Auto makers are to make it through these economic times the UAW and the corporate executives need to do a little belt tightening like the rest of the country!

And by the way, I recently bought a brand new Chevy. My other half pointed out to me after we had it home and I told her I was glad we bought American that actually the drive train was from Japan and the vehicle was built in Canada. So much for buying American even when you try. And the quality leaves a lot to be desired. After having the NEW CHEVROLET for a few weeks we noticed that when closing the rear hatch it was making a rubbing sound. I looked at it closely and discovered that one of the hinges was missing bolts. The paint was clean and shiny so they were never installed.

james
Dec 12, 2008 4:54:45 PM

“anyone who would not buy an american car or truck is as ignorant as those people insulting the people of alabama.”

OK Einstein, I bought an American car made in Canada and it has a Japanese drive train. So I may as well buy A Japanese vehicle. At least it will be made in Alabama!

Hey Alabamians, forget who helped you out after the last hurricane or two? Bet it wasn’t a foreign car company. Can you say UAW? Maybe next time, you should call Japan, Korea or Germany for help.
I’m sure they will rush in.

anyone who would not buy an american car or truck is as ignorant as those people insulting the people of alabama. it is not the fault of the people of the fine state of alabama, i have been there and its a beautiful place with friendly prople. it is just the fault of their comgressman who i dont believe is speaking foe the public of alabama but is speaking on behalf of his own greed. he doesnt care about the jobs of millions when his own state will reap the rewards from the demise of the big 3.

After reading all the rhetoric and insults to the people of Alabama, I for one will speak with my wallet. I was to the point of closing a deal on a brand new loaded one ton dually GMC pickup. If the UAW want to boycott Alabama, let the games begin. I won’t be buying any UAW vehicle, ever.

you are welcome jeffro

I am not a union worker but to avery big mouth that wants to attack the union ought to consider the FACTS that the UNION created the middle class-eithout the union there to fight for the working man and woman, employers would work you to death just like in the old days and fill your spot as soon as you drop. Besides dont any of you people realize that if the good old boys of the gop keep the middle and lower class fighting among themselves—we never realize that we are getting screwed by the rich.

Thank you james!!!

oh and Aqua, you are obviously a moron cuz if the big 3 go down, this country goes down, so if ur livin a shitty life now, just wait and see how much worst it gets for you if they go down, its called a ripple effect, and 90 dollars an hour is about 3 times more than what we make, why doesnt any body look at how much these senators make, shelby makes 1000 dollars a day 140 days out of the year to jab his stupid ass jaws, and look at these rediculous government pensions…look at the whole picture ass holes, not just what u read in the papers and hear in the news, we live it, and we do our homework before we open our mouths

this comment goes out to all the jerks talking about the union workers making 80 and 90 dollars an hour-where the hell is anybody doing blue collar work these days making that kind of money? If you are that stupid to think with all the benefits and insurance and everything combined comes to about 28 to 30 dollars an hour. So all you idiots who want to believe the republican rederick about union wages—do a little research before you go spouting off at the mouth. The only reason the alabama and tennessee gop are against this LOAN is because there is allready plans within the next 5 years to open 18 new foreign car plants in those southern states. DO you people really think those congressmen are looking out for you or I . give me a break.

listen here, i grew up all my life in a UAW family and we still are struggling in this economy, dont beleive everything you read, no one in my family makes 70 dollars an hour, try less than half of that so if we cut our wages where would that leave us, u got no f*ckin clue, u people that are leavin these bone head comments are probobly the same people who support the foreign auto industry

to answer stan.iwas a ford chicago uaw.i installed air curtains(side air bags)istarted feb07making$20 and ended making $23 an hour until i was fired 10/31/08 i was a temp my cousin who is full time makes $30.

The press never reports actually how much money does a UAW worker make. UAW readers plese share with us the following:

Your Job, skill, trade

Normal hourly wage

Overtime pay per hour

Holiday Pay per hour

Saturday Pay per hour

Sunday pay rate per hour

Your 2007 total net earnings from your UAW position.

I really can not form an opinion because I don’t really KNOW what you make.

..No Bail Out..No Money…you people make way too much money an hour, what is it like $90.00 bucks and hour to produce gas guzzling junk piles on 4 wheeles…suffer like the rest of us do and take your pitty party back to those greedy managers that got you in this situation….cry me a river…

“lin
Dec 12, 2008 11:57:36 AM

We aren’t here to attack the people that work at Toyota or Nissan. They are afraid to try to start a union. They are behind the Big Three. “

Sorry Lin, but you’re wrong. We have voted down a union at Nissan every time it has come up, by a greater margin each time. We don’t want to see the Big 3 fail – but we also don’t support the screw job the UAW has put on the economy for years.

Oh, and did I mention we aren’t asking for a bailout either?

No Concessions…….NO Loan

No Concession……..No Loan

No Concession …….No Loan

THANK YOU SHELBY FOR SAVING AMERICA FROM A HORRIBLE MISTAKE

It is official…..It in now UN-American to buy a UAW Corporate welfare vehicle. While brave young men and women give their life for our country in Afghanistan and Iraq the UAW membership will not give an inch to help save the US Economy. Our children, and their children, will end up paying for this bail out.

While families will be without their loved ones during the holidays because they are fighting for us, the UAW membership will not give up even $1 per hour to help our nation through this crisis.

The teacher, barber, policeman, salesman, middle manager, and grass cutters of America will have to foot the entire bill so that the spoiled brats in the UAW can have their way again!

I have official purchased my last UAW vehicle. You make a fantastic product, but I deeply HATE each and every UAW member that ever existed because you are a disgrace to this great nation! Your selfish, greedy, self serving attitude sickens me to the CORE.

Bush my throw you a temporary lifeline. However the millions of other that are beginning to think like me will stop feeling compelled to buy your product.

The Senate deal with the Big 3 fell apart Thursday night for one reason – the UAW refused to adjust their labor costs until 2011. Don’t try to blame others for your own greediness and inability to work with others.

Do you think maybe the problem was the Banks Loans and the housing market. Everyday we hear how bad it is. You have to have a credit score of 675 to buy a car. No more house loans without 20% down. How many of you qualify on all of this. Nobody is buying. The country is at a stand still. This hurt the American auto companies. We arent getting help from the Senate Shelby. He is helping the foreign cars. Are we getting fair trade on sending cars out of the country. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. So where is the playing field fairrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Toyota makes $30.00 a hour with a $6,000.00 to $8,000.00 bonus. The Big Three don’t get that. THe people that collect a pension from the Big Three worked 30 yrs or more to get. Come on into one of our plants and breath everything that we breath. Cancer big time. Brain tumors big time. People retire and couple months later they die from breathing that junk. Like I say go after that Senator that we pay with our taxs dollars, who is set for life. Don’t go after the little people. We are only 10% of the Big Three. What is scary is these good old boys (senates) are controling things in this country. Well Im praying God will get us out of this.

We aren’t here to attack the people that work at Toyota or Nissan. They are afraid to try to start a union. They are behind the Big Three. The suppliers supply Toyota also. If you don’t think that they won’t go down you are sadly mistaken. This country needs to get on our kness and pray. It isn’t about the Big Three. Its about Oil and Israel. God wants us to look at him. God is a jealous God. The United States has been Blessed and we all need to look at God instead of throwing all kinds of hate out on other people. Pray that God can change Shelby heart, he is out of control. If you want to look at anybody pay and what they do on casting on stones. Check his record. Stand up for this great nation. The United States the land of the free. I sure don’t want my flag flying. ( Made in CHina)

God Bless you all

Everyone needs to know the facts. The Big Three are giving people. They have given alot of money to the needy, Katrina, 911 and many others first of all. Another thing this country has a lot of hatred right now. Its running out of control. GM has been around for 100 yrs, that speaks in it selve. You all need to come to Michigan and go to the plants. You think they make so much money. Toyota, Nissan with there bounus make more than the Big Three $30.00 a hour. When you want to complain about the workers. Go in those plants and see what they breath and then see if you complain. This is America and how many of you have hatred in your hearts for the American people. Everybody wanted big trucks and suv. Now the Big Three didn’t give the American people what they wanted well that is what they wanted. Big Trucks Big SUV’s. Everybody needs to get down on there knees tonight and pray for this country. Do you want China to build our tanks and military homeland security. That is scary. Shelby needs a boycott. Lets talk about his pay $185,000.00 and his perks. Life time Social Security and pension. All the kick backs he gets and how does he get to washington. Private jet. Drives a foreign car, because he gives his state 253 millions dollars to Toyota and Nissan and the fishing industry. So lets talk about pay cuts and what the Big Three didn’t do. You better start praying cause what job you do won’t be there if the Big Three did go down.

God BLess the great nation of ours

If anyone is interested in seeing how folks in Alabama may be feeling about the BIG 3 bailout and Richard Shelby you can google the ‘Mobile Register. and go to the ‘Croweblog’

Car Czar Shelby?
Posted by JD Crowe December 11, 2008 10:48 AM

12/11/08Here’s my smart-@$$ worst case compromise scenario for the Detroit automakers… Big 3 scores a bailout, but their arch nemesis Richard Shelby is appointed Car Czar.
Tags: Alabama, automakers, bailout, Big 3, car czar, Chrysler, Crowe, Detroit, economy, Ford, GM, government, Press-Register, recession, Richard, Shelby, taxpayers

way to go UAW, you were offered your welfare, oh, I’m sorry, “bridge loan”, but with concessions. Seems you are not wanting to give up a thing. Must not be too willing to actually compromise to keep your jobs. Good luck with unemployment compensation………

This mess with the BIG 3 has been decades in the making and for the 35 years since the “Arab Oil Embargo” in the 70s the Auto industry has been in a constant tug of war with the EPA and other Fed agencies over emissions, safety, fuel efficiency etc, etc, etc. While I agree with the premise that the BIG 3 continued to make the vehicles Americans ‘wanted’ the industry was slow to prepare for the eventualities that led up to the present level of competition with foreign producers who have done a better job of offering Americans alternatives to gas guzzling behemoths, while complying with ever changing Government mandates, that rolled out of Detroit. The fact that Detroit was slow to design and build “Quality” smaller fuel efficient autos is testimony to the arrogance of industry leadership.
I purchased 1 foreign made vehicle, a Volkswagon Vanagon (1982), the camper with the pop top to sleep 4 comfortably and the two burner stove and refrigerator. There was no American made vehicle of this type, I had no choice other than to buy foreign. I drove that van daily for 17 years, I have never had 2 vehicles at once; when I sold it to a buddy (1999) it was still running after 400,000 + miles wth plenty of life left in it yet without one single major mechanial or structural failure. I have had 4 Detroit built midsize cars, since selling the VW, during the last 9 years, and none of them have stood the test of time.
I understand that Detroit is ‘finally’ making quality smaller vehicles these days but the stubborn arrogance has caused the loss of the American consumer base to choose foreign autos out of practicality. While loyalty is important, so is the value of quality and confidence when spending ones dollars.
Detroit allowed the erosion of American confidence to happen to them, this is a slap in the face to all of us who were ‘forced’ to choose foreign over domestic because the clear cut choice for value and confidence could not be found in the ‘Made in American’ market for way too many decades.
This is not just a BIG 3 disgrace, it is an American disgrace. We have fallen behind and it may be too late for second chances, the foreigners have solid footing in our country. If Detroit had been successful there would not be an overwhelming American demand for foreign autos.

Matt,
Yes, we all have a short memory. General Motors fed and raised me and now I am deeply connected with the suppliers. They need to stop the finger pointing and the blame game and pull together. If my employer asked me to take a pay cut in order to keep my job you bet I would do it. Because some is better than NONE and I hope I have at least that option!
Sorry you are ill..
Patty

To Patty
I couldn’t agree more, people wanted big vehicles to pull their toys.
Have you noticed that since gas prices dropped you don’t see T.Boone PIckens on tv talking about wind power and other sources of energy. We as a nation have already forgotten and we will only remember when gas goes abck up to 4 or 5 dollars a gallon

Gramps, I truly am sorry to hear about how you got screwed over by your union. Sometimes unions act too much like businesses than what they are supposed to be, advocates for the working men and women they represent.
And I will admit that I’m worried, but even if I was told I will be dead in six months, I’ll still worry about the road our country is taking. We are too large a nation to rely solely on service jobs. We need manufacturing and exportation of those products.
Hell, you even have to ‘look’ for an ‘American Made’ flag to run up the pole on holidays. Chinese made ‘American Flags’, we the people are killing our own country.

1.They were selling large vehicles BECAUSE thats what the people were buying.
2. This whole mess started with sending jobs offshore.
3. There WAS a time when we needed UAW but now we just need jobs. I would definately take a paycut over NO job!

I thought this was a web site to voice our opinion towards Alabama Senator Richard Shelby and his attempts to kill the bridge “LOAN” to the UAW, not a sound board for one anothers complaints against one another. Keep you eye on the ball people –

Shelby needs to get a real job,OH DAMN,thats right,There arent any left.Sorry Dicky.

When i read the comments on this blog,it only cements the fact that most of you have very dated information.Have anyone one of you been inside a Big 3 plant.There have been many changes,not that they were made to do,but made them on their own.Most of you are talking about 10 to 15 years ago.If you think this is something that our economy can just absorb,think again.This not only is going to hurt us,it is going to be global.This will touch everyone eventually.I do beleive that the company heads should give up their outrages salaries.I was disgusted when i heard the ceo of Ford motor company makes 23 million annually.That is greed in its purest form.Listening to the senators speak about this,is like a pack of spoiled brats who need a good swift kick in the pants.If Alabama needed the help to save a business that was important to their welfare and future,i would be all for it.I thought these were UNITED STAETES.I guess now its every state for itself.How sad.

Stock for Toyota and Honda dropped overnight on the Asian market. They know what most Americans do not seem to. The automotive supplier base would crumble if the Big 3 died out, and their plants in Sen. Shelby’s home state would come to a production stand still due to part shortages.

Americans would have slim pickings at any dealership if the Republicans in the Senate do not start looking at the entire picture. Michigan, Texas, Ohio, Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, Tennessee, Missouri, and Kansas. These States all have GM assembly plants. Don’t be fooled in thinking it’s just Detroit.

I disagree with the Boycott Alabama website…two wrongs don’t make a right, but the Republicans want to Boycott the entire middle class in America.

As for the folks that complain about the Quality of American cars. Look at any new model that has come out since say 2000 from the big three. Quality is as good as Germany or Japan. Go to J.D. Powers to see. Better yet take a good long test drive. Stop by the Chevy Dealership if your looking for an Accord. You’ll see that the new Malibu is just as nice. The new CTS from Cadillac will put any Lexus to shame. If you go by opinions of your old ’72 Chevy Vega that was a poor car than you have a narrow mind.

Take a breath here everyone before you hyperventilate! First, the big three have fully funded their pensions, so no body is going to be sending their tax dollars to pay for union retirees. Second, these companies were hit by the sudden impact of the credit freeze, which nosedived the car sales volume in a matter of weeks. One company in trouble is bad management, three in trouble at exactly the same moment is POLITICS.

Kate…I’m sorry for your families problems, really. And you are right that this is not a regional problem. The votes in the Senate against the bridge loans come, however, also from Senators in you region. The focus on Sen. Shelby is because he is among the most vocal and he heads a powerful commitee that is responsible to ALL Americans, not just Southerners or Auto interests. The same panic and fear, that prompted the $700 billion bailout to millionaires which is turning out to be farcicle in a non-funny way, is also permeating the Auto Industry. I cannot see giving loans to businesses that are proven failures. Why else would Execs come to D.C. with hat in hand unless they were not successful at what they do? Why should America reward failure? Once reason moves in to displace fear and panic the BIG 3 will be picked up by billionaires standing by to scoop up a bargain industry without penalizing generatons to come with more Government debt accrued to frenzy. Try having faith in your Industry, to be picked up and managed by people who know how to successfully run a profitable enterprize. The American Entrepenuers will bail you out with sound management and solid practicality. They are out there, Billionaires, standing by and waiting for the slugfest to end and let responsibility move in.

Matt…it seems that the more you explain how you guys are being reduced the more it is apparent that y’all still have a higher standard than many of us other kickdogs. I recently retired from the SIU, a Maritime member of the AFL-CIO and have been screwed royally. After 43 years I became physically unable to go to Sea and my beautiful Union decided to defer my Pension until I am 65, am now 61 and live in a world of hurt and illness. Because they won’t retire me I am paying $340 per month COBRA insurance to keep from dying in a hallway outside an emergency room. My monthly income from SSD is $1800 per month…could you live adquately off that amount after COBRA payments and medical co-pay? I’m not, and nobody has even heard of our crooked Union Officials on the same National Level that you all enjoy. The only sympathy we hear is from our relatives who help care for us while the Union Stockpiles our pension funds with the expectation that the sick ones of us will die before becoming elegible to receive our due benefits. Get used to the idea, Matt, the AFL-CIO will screw you too if they discover that there is no longer a profit to be made from your living too long!

I would like to make some comments about what I have read here tonight. I hardly ever read these blogs, but I need to respond to these.

Whatever happened to the concept of Americans? Why are we getting involved in regional and class warfare here? There is an economic crisis going on in this entire country, and eventually everyone but the very rich are going to feel its effects in one way or another. In this economy, there have to be sacrifices made by some, but there also has to be compassion for those who are hurting.

If that means having the government step in with some aid, so be it. The only thing I would ask is that there be some accountability. I have not seen this in the financial bailout. We gave out 700 billion dollars, and there was no “financial czar” appointed. It came out in the news that one of the companies had used 500 million of that money to pay executive bonuses. Why was it okay to hand these institutions this money in the blink of an eye, but it’s not okay to help the auto industry without having every employee from the CEO to the janitors grovel before the Senate? Do we have a white collar/blue collar discrimiation going on here?

I also don’t understand why there is such an anti-union bias going on. People are talking like the UAW is the only union in this country. It’s not – there are plumbers unions, electrician unions, construction unions, and police, fire and teachers unions. Why do people seem to have such hate for UAW members?

I am the wife of a retired UAW worker. We don’t have a second home and a boat and a gigantic savings account. My husband worked hard for thirty years at his job to get the pension he was promised. In addition to the pension, he also got hearing loss, a bad shoulder, two knees that don’t work right, varicose veins and carpal tunnel syndrome. Three months after he retired, he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, which I attribute to his years of working in an environment of smoke, sparks, toxic fumes, and lack of ventilation.

We live on his pension, social security and part time jobs. If his pension goes, there is no way we can “go get another job”. There aren’t many jobs out there, and most employers don’t hire people in their sixties.

People seem to think that a UAW retiree has it so easy, that we get this giant pension and all our health care is free. My husband’s cancer treatments, after insurance paid, left us over $50,000 in debt – a debt that we will never be able to pay off. We had to cash in our IRA’s to pay off some of this debt, which means we now have no savings at all. The UAW made concessions last year in the health care area – we have money deducted every month from his check, we have a deductible to meet every year before insurance kicks in, and we no longer have co-pays for doctor visits. We pay every cent of doctors bills – which has resulted in his twice a year visits for a check-up with his cancer doctor $1200 that we have to pay. We barely make it through the month now.

Granted, we are better off than people who are losing their homes and have nowhere to go. But please, stop with the assumptions that the average worker in any company is on a par with the executives. The rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer. There soon will be no middle class. And if you read your history books, you’ll realize that one of the reasons we did have a middle class was because of the auto industry organizing and demanding better wages for everyone.

I want to add one more thing and I don’t want this to sound like an anti-South comment. It’s not. I just find it suspicious that this auto bailout will probably be ended by half a dozen senators from southern states, all of whom have foreign auto plants in their states. I am not criticizing people who live in the southern states -I just question the motives of these particular senators.

Try to remember that what affects one person can turn around and affect many others. The demise of the auto industry could result in the loss of 3 million jobs. One of them could be yours or your father’s or your daughter’s. People are already being laid off by the thousands all over the country. These are people who won’t be buying the products that maybe your company makes. I work in retail, and I’ve seen how empty the stores have been lately.

Don’t gloat at another person’s misfortune, and don’t wish ill on your fellow citizens.

Schatzy,
I was told today that the GM jobs bank has ended. I retired when the plant was shut down, but a lot of the younger workers couldn’t get into other shops. They were being paid 85% of their wages as I understand it, now due to concessions to try to secure the loan from congress, that’s been stopped.
As for tax dollars supporting BIG 3 retirees, that is what may happen. Quite a few pension plans are secured by the government, have been for years. If the BIG 3 go down, the government takes over the pension payments. Granted it will be at a greatly reduced rate, but now instaed of paying taxes on our pensions, pensioners will be
paid with tax dollars that could be better spent elsewhere. It would actually be cheaper in the long run to fund (loan) the bridge loan.
I don’t know about kickbacks from supplier companies to the BIG 3, but I do believe if they go down, some of the suppliers will go down too. None of this is pretty and nobody wants to see it. Personally I would like to see all companies who sell products here, manufacture here, not just assemble, but cast, stamp, and finish the parts in America. Other countries do it, why not us? If we get working again, our economy will straighten itself out.
I’m not trying to start an argument with you, just wanted to let you know about the jobs bank, good luck in the future.

Ya’ll are out of you f’ing minds. I am still pissed about the original 700 billion dollar bailout plan. I opposed the bailout of banks, AIG? another joke with a bad puchline. How are we as citizens and taxpayers, not only of ALABAMA, but of the country of whole supposed to sit back and let all these failing companies extend their hand out for money that the good ol’ US doesn’t even have? I mean, we are in so much debt, we’ll never pay it off. Nobody helped me when I had financial difficulty, I had to meddle through the best I could. What about this nations truckers? nobody is offering to help them. How about teachers? what do they get? less money and possible layoffs? I do feel for the employees of the “Big 3″, I hate there are some of you that have already lost your jobs. But you know what? I got laid off too, and I am still opposed to this bailout. I am not looking for charity, neither should you. Boycott Alabama? Go ahead, a few less northerners down here is not neccesarily a bad thing. As far as boycotting something, I doubt I will ever buy another Ford, GM, or Dodge again.

I cant believe what I hear when you say buy american cars,, Mercedes, Toyota, Honda, they might have a foreign name, but they are made in America, employ american workers, dont out source to china.. My husband works in Michigan for an auto supplier and his company has to give kick backs to GM, Chrysler and Ford,,
and also I think the autoworkers in Michigan should be as equaly treated like the rest of us who are unemployed.. go get an unemployment check, and not 95% of your pay..And I dont want my tax dollars suporting all retirees from the Big 3 for there pension and healthcare cost.

Oh, please…give us a break here! This is the United States of America – we all may have different views and opinions but we all have the right to express them. We are all tired of federal bailouts for big companies who recently have experienced what we all are going through due to the economy. The buck has to stop somewhere and we have reached that point now. It is time to cut the fat from all our budgets and businesses and it is going to take tough love. We can’t keep printing worthless money to bail big corporations out. We stand behind our senator as one of the few in Washington who knows how to stand up for what is best for America in the long run. Grow up – we don’t boycott Michigan when we have economic troubles down here! And, we welcome our Michigan friends down for the winter as we have for many many years – good people who we enjoy sharing our beautiful Gulf Shores with every year. I am sure your opinion will not change their enjoyment of our state or our people!

Matt….Okay, thanks for the cooler head. The economic crisis has hit most of us in ways that others may not be able to relate to given the wide variety of personal and family emergencies caused by the widespread devastation. I understand the potential impact that will hit ‘Detroit’ and satellite industries, but every state in the nation has a personal connection to the success or failure of the Big 3 in one form or another. The unfortunate collapse has effected your region ‘more’ than other areas but we all are taking a hit because of the business failings in Detroit. The bleeding has to stop, where will the line be drawn for no more ‘Corporate Welfare’? If Detroit is bailed out how can we say ‘No’ to the next in line?

Instead of the auto people from the north taking a wage cut, why don’t the people down south join a union and get a higher standard of living from the foreign auto companys. Jelosey is a terrible thing.

To Gramps and Chip
First Chip, thank you for the kind words for GM vehicles. I guess I was rather hasty and blunt in my comments, but from what I have seen on the news it seems that the most vocal opponents to the bridge loan are southern Republican lawmakers from states with a large number of overseas automakers. As to kissing butt, no American can be expected to do that. Not you or me. Thanks for the comment though.
Now Gramps, we may never agree on anything, or this one thing, but it’s been fun. I would like to point out that the UAW has acknowledged a need to work with the BIG 3 and for starters we have a two tier wage system. New employees make about 14 to 15 dollars an hour and are not under a traditional retirement plan. I can offer no other information at this time without getting with a union rep. to find out more.
One of the divisions that GM spun off, Delphi has mostly new hires under this plan with very few ‘legacy workers’. those are workers who were employed before the spin off and from talking with them, their wages were reduced dramatically.
One of our problems is that the unions always get the blame, never the companies. Delphi pays about $2 an hour in Mexico. We, the USA, are not a $@ an hour economy. If you gave Mexican workers our $7 minimum wage the would think they hit the lottery.
Like I said, we may not agree, but once in a while I have to blow off some steam.
No hard feelings here.

I BELONG TO THE UNITED MINE WORKERS IN ALABAMA WHERE IF IT WASNT FOR UNIONS YOU WOULD NOT HAVE THE PAY YOU HAVE TODAY. WHICH HAS PASSED TO THE UPPER MANAGEMENT THAT GET MILLIONS FOR RETIREMENT AND MILLIONS FOR YEARLY WAGES. IF THEY WERE SEARIOUS ABOUT GETTING THE BIG 3 BACK ON TRACK THEY SHOULD LOOK AT THIR PAY SCALE. THEY ALWAYS ASK THE UNION TO TAKE LESS SO THEY CAN TAKE MORE.I CANT SEE HELPING THEM TILL THEY TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN BACK YARD. SEN. RICHARD SHELBY HAS BACKED THE UNION AND WHAT HAS BEEN BEST FOR THIS GREAT COUNTRY OF YOURS AND MINE.I HOPE ALL WORKS OUT FOR YOU BUT DONT BE BLAMING ALABAMA OR THE SOUTH FOR WHAT YOUR COMPANY HAS DONE.

folks up North…..before you start bashing the South you might want to consider the number of UAW cars purchased south of the Mason Dixon line. Your trucks are very popular in Alabama. You really are not in a position to upset any more customers. You need to start kissing the butt of the rest of America and take some concessions instead of trying to stron arm us. you have no bullits left in that gun you have been holding to our heads.

For the record, I think that GM and Ford make an excellent product I have had nothing but good luck with my Explorers and Chevy Trucks. The companies are loosing share because there are many American who just cant stand to buy a UAW car.

Matt…perhaps I did misunderstand your work qualifications. I did not, however, misunderstand your Mason/Dixon line of compassion for your fellow Americans. Your sentiment certainly raises my ire over how political differences can determine ones loyalty to an American Tragedy brought on by natures fury to be compared to another American Tragedy caused by indifference, arrogance such as the UAW’s extortions and contributions, by greed, to the economic failure of an American Institution, the Automobile Industry, that was at one time a source of pride for all U.S. citizens. Shame on you for for blaming your situation on regional lines. Senator Shelby is not the only Senator opposed to the bridge loans; there are Northern Senators and Congreesmen opposed as well. Will you decide to punish them too?

Gramps, you seem to missunderstand. All I said was people who have never been where I worked don’t know anything about it.
I don’t do police wok so I am unprepared to comment on their job just as i can’t comment on workers in the medical field.
I worked my low skilled job until I got on the skilled trades program. Helped my wife through college, and both our children.
I was not paid 3 to 4 time what i would have been paid in the south and I am not out to punish anyone. Richard Shelby, a senator from alabama says he is against a bridge loan because he feels it will only encourage the BIG 3 to continue in their old ways, I understand. I also feel that if people want to keep building houses in hurricane prone areas this is the same thing and I chose not to enable them in these unsafe decisions.
Thanks for your comments.

All of you can KISS MY A– I say go Bankrupt! I stand bye my senator. FU– yall!

Matthew Metiva…are you crying now because you actually had to work for a living? How much were you paid to do this mindless and unskilled labor? Probably a lot more than folks who worked just as hard, or harder, than you who did not have the good fortune to have the UAW representing them. You were able to donate to the Red Cross because you were paid 3 or 4 times what your job would have paid down south. Now, you want to punish Southern Americans because the fat days of overpayment for skill level has finally caught up with you? You crybaby Auto Workers never sobbed about going on strike and ruining the economy while you collected your stinking ‘Strike Fund Wages’ while hurting the rest of the country over the decades. About time you snot nosed overpaid extortionists have to learn to live of of the Humble Pie you cooked up for youselves…ungrateful, whining UAW bullies have finally met their match in the U.S.Senate…about time!

I don’t know how ignorant people like Mr. Shelby can get support by the people of alabama. The people of alabama that work at the transplant car makers will udoutbly get wage cuts when the big three do, since your wages are based on union wages. If you think these car companies are going to pay the big money with the big three out of the way,your thinking with your head in sand. Mr.Shelby is not looking out for the people of Alabama, he would just as soon see everybody work for 9.00 an hour. Back in the 50′s when GM was going strong people from the south rushed up here for good wages. I didnt here any coplaints then.If the people of Alabama all think with the near sightedness like your Mr.Shelby I feel sorry for you.

On Sept. 16 of this year I received a letter from the Red Cross thanking me for my contribution to huricane relief in the south. You can rest assured as a retired G.M. auto worker that it will be my last charitable contribution south of the Mason-Dixon line. I will support the south the way it has supported Michigan and the rest of the industrialized north.
I get tired of hearing about lazy auto workers from people who have never been in a foundry. As a new hire in 1971 my first job was making the top have of the molds that the iron was poured into. I had to pick up the mold frame, set it on the molding machine , make the mold, then help another worker set it on the bottom half of the mold, then start again. 107 times an hour. I moved, by hand, in one shift, 25.2 TONS of steal.
All Sen. Richard Shelby moves his his mouth.

Dear Senator,
I am one of those “LAID OFF AUTO WORKER”!! Words cannot express how disappointed I am to listen to your arrogant comments about helping out the auto industry. The banks of this country recieved a bail out (FREE MONEY) to the tune of $700,000,000,000.00, holy crap, that’s a lot of zero’s. My Mother often said, what comes around goes around and one day I hope someone holds your family’s preservation in the balance. To me, you’re no better than Governor Rod Blagojevich.

In disgust of our Alabama Senator,
Dan Cerulli

Once the UAW workers who received Viagra benefits as part of their Health coverage reimburse the Big 3 for their ‘Stiffy Drugs’ then we will begin to believe that the UAW is serious about negotiations. How many cars were built without profit to provide this ridiculous benefit to UAW workers? Get real, Detroit, the days of holding the rest of the country over a barrell with threats of strikes and shut downs are OVER and DONE! You had your glory days of extortion by force; now play the hand you have been dealt with and be fair or be gone! America is no longer sympathetic to bully tactics; get a real job in middle America if you can’t take the heat in Detroit!

I didn’t take time to read other comments but the funny and Ironic thing is that his name is Shelby, but oh well another screwed up politician.I should keep my mouth shut since I live in Illinois ROD BLAGOVICH or how ever you spell his name

A boycott or sit in is a good way to show that the middle class workers in this country are fed up with attack on our jobs . Free trade was a death sentence on our jobs. The foreign auto companies come over and get tax breaks and subsidies and then send their profits back to Japan, Germany,etc. to fund their economies.
The American people will wake up when their is no money left for social security, unemployment,etc.
The autoworkers did not create the economic downturn but are not getting money to help people buy their autos . The foreign car companies are 30 to 40 % down in thier sales. All foreign governments except ours is helping their auto industries to survive this downturn.
Wake up and stand together.

Ray,
If you really read about something before voice your opinion then please read it again, because you missed a lot of information. There are ton of good car make by big three and price below Jap car, like Malibu is a best car of the year and price less than 20K. But go on buy Honda or Toyota and help make Japanese rich. For your greatest senator who has a hart make of stone and the soul of (you know).Want to take job away of millions people right before Christmast, for him when he soon die there is only way is down to where he belong

Hi Steve. I agree; I meant ALL Senators and Congress. I don’t feel that MI should be exempt.

While I can understand some of the resentment regarding the Union (I am not in a union) I agree with the comment that the Union has raised the pay rate for all of us. I wish Americans would take the stand that the forein auto makers bring their workers pay rates up, rather the the US pay rates down. Perhaps the concessions could come from a decrease in the benefits and uncompetitive practices like the job bank.

Further more, I have nothing against the good people of Alabama that are working for the foreign companies; we all need jobs. I do however feel that Senator Shelby has a definate conflict of interests and should have a diminished roll in all of this.

Shelby is not the only Congressman opposed to the bail out. There are plenty of others working against you. In fact most Americans are opposed to a bail out. Y’all have to put together a more compelling case that you can compete.

As far as the Senators taking a pay cut….that is fine with me …I agree. Your folks like Carl Levin, Debbie Stabenow, and Govenor Granholm should have to pay the American Peole a refund for thier compensation. They are all supporters of Card Check…..willmake all of America uncompetitive globally!

This Senator is trying to protect the foreign German car makers in his state and he needs to be retired this is supposed to be the UNITED STATES not just what is best for Alabama. I’m sick and tired of all the Union bashing going on across this country, maybe some of you aren’t making as much as us but you are surley making more than you would be without Unions. We improve the wage base for everyone in the country. Without us everyone but the few heads at the top would be making less and the fat cats at the top would be richer still.

Again, why shouldn’t the Senators have to take a pay cut? Talk about not living in the real world. They wouldn’t survive one week in a real job. Where else would you get a lifetime pension for 6 years of part time work?

Hey Barbara…If your husband’s job loss will be so devestating why are you so unwilling to take a pay cut. A cut will be better than a total loss. You auto workers negotiated your contracts like pitt bulls…..now you have lost the upper hand. Time to play hand you are dealt and cough back up the ransome money you got from the big 3.

Folks…..Alabama is at risk if the Big 3 goes under. Alabama auto makers use many of the same Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers. Shelby knows this is true. I firmly believe that he feels he is doing what is right for all Americans, not just folks from Michigan or Alabama.

You auto workers in Detroit have no ammunition left in your guns. It is time to capitulate. You need to make immediate meaningful wage and benefit concessions to more align yourselves with the rest of America if you are to have the Nation’s support for a bail out.

Many American are still upset with the UAW because you refused to allow returning war veterans park in you lot if they had a Bush bumper sticker.

Your continued threatening language in only further alienating you from the rest of America. I have always bought Ford and Chrysler products. I will no longer feel compelled to buy UAW products since you started this boycott against Alabama and refuse to participate in the American recovery by taking meaningful wage cuts.

This Boycott is bullshit. Why would you pick on the Tide? Get a real life and a real Job. Take responsibility for your own choices.Let Detroit take responsibility for there choices. I live in the R W and if I make bad buisness choices I loose.Why do you not hold them to the same standards. Why should I as a tax payer bail you or them out of trouble.Is this not the land of freedom and oppertunity.

If the US Auto Workers should have to take a pay cut as suggested by the Senator in Kentucky, perhaps the Senators should to. The United States Government is in way worse shape than the Auto Companies and they are making no concessions.

I AM IN TROUBLE TO IS ANY ONE BAILING ME OUT,NO WE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE CAN JUST TO MAKE IT DAY TO DAY

I was born and raised in the south, the Bible Belt, and have great memories of growing up in the hills and for several years I thought I’d go back when retiring, but over the years I grew more distant. There is just such a negativeness toward people in the north that is unjustified. The Civil war has never ended there and people like Senator Shelby get into power by fueling ignorance. He’s fueling ignorance right now that may wind up hurting hundreds of thousands of of families all across this nation. A lot of things he is saying about autoworkers is badly distorted. He may be from Alabama, but he’s forgetting he is a U.S. Senator and represents all Americans.

why is Chrysler just waiting to be parted out? They have more sales than Honda (including Acura) and most other imports. They’re in better financial standing than GM. They’re finally starting to get back on their feet after Diamler almost killed them. They have a lifetime warranty but yet people insist they’re low quality vehicles, it just doesn’t make sense. The new Rams are (as always) the best trucks out there. The new line of V6′s comming in ’09 are the best in the industry, quieter, more powerful, more fuel efficient than anything out there today, even Toyota, most people’s benchmark. I just don’t understand why everyone thinks Chrysler is dead. People should do some research before they go opening their mouths and sounding like an idiot.

guse,
Only a couple of high price big 3 cars are worth a damn, and most Americans can’t afford them. Most of the best car list are not from the big 3. And no UAW worker deserves the pay and benefits you get, because you product is crap and has been for a long time. And believe me I have a few bucks and will probably buy Honda or Toyota which has a better track record. Instead of having a problem with the GREAT Sen. Shelby, may be you should have a problem with the UAW and the big 3 since again they are begging for money.

All you union guy know how to do is leaverage you position. You leaveraged for you high wages during the 90′s. You would STRIKE if you did not get a better contract and more benefits. Now you take the position that you will kill the American auto industry and economy if you don’t get corporate welfare. You refuse to make meaningful wage and benefit concession that would allow the Big 3 to survive, yet you continue to leaverage America. Be American….give back …..take the concessions. So you give up 25% of your compensation. Think of all the American’s who gave thie life to make this country great! Your contry needs you to sacrafice for once!

Millions of your fellow Americans understand how crucial it is to keep American automakers operating and to make sure they are treated fairly when it comes to exporting their products.
We are with you in your opposition to Sen. Shelby’s self-serving attempts to bankrupt American automakers so the foreign manufacturers operating in his state have an easier time selling their cars.
I proudly buy American cars and hope the Sugar Bowl featuring Alabama gets the lowest ratings ever.

Hi Ray,
If you do have a few buck you can buy a JD power report and find out how good American make car are rate. We take pride to build our products and we deserve what we get pay for. We have nothing to against you and your state. Just your Senator is what we concern a about, you can wash his back and clean his ass when he sipping Martini and eat his lobster dinner. He may give you few buck to buy hot dog for your family. Good luck

guse,
Just like your 1 million ignorant UAW members. Don’t worry about Sen. Shelby, because we have his back. Time for all the UAW workers to lose their overpaid job and to be forced to start building quaility product. Oh wait, UAW to build quaility product, that is an oxymoran isn’t. UAW doesn’t know what quaility is and will never know.

Hey Detroit, How does it feel to be at the epicenter of the global economic crisis? While you UAW folks embarrass yourself in the national spotlight with your boycott of Alabama the rest of the WORLD knows YOU caused the latest economic crisis.

The real estate devaluation STARTED in Detroit. The child like borrowing and spending of you people is noted by all. With your bloated UAW wages and benefits you spent, borrowed, spent, and borrowed more. We all saw you in your UAW t-shirt with your F350 dually pulling that 28 foot Sea Ray to your 2,000 square cabin on Higgins lake.

The second you hit an economic down turn you defaulted on all those loans and started the domino effect that reduced global wealth by trillions.

Now you want a bail out from the rest of us and refuse to make any meaningful wage and benefit concessions! You should have spent less, saved more, and helped you employer to become competitive. Why don’t you loan your employer the money that needs to survive?

Mel….Our State Unemployment is one of the lowest in the nation. You can make fun of Alabama all you want. The economy here is vibrant. The fact that folks moved form AL to Michigan in the 50′s has nothing to do with the problem at hand. You are using emotion again!

The folks that work in our Non Union auto plants are very happy. They are well paid and extremely motivated. You just hate the fact that they don’t want your union.

The UAW has made Detroit globally uncompetitive. While you folks want corporate welfare you are also working on you “card Check” initiative. We in the South know what that is all about, UNION INTIMIDATION.

For all of you that are complaining about Sen Shelby, he is the only one that is right. All you UAW workers have done nothing but ruin the big 3. You all are nothing but overpaid workers doing a semi-skilled job. You don’t not even make a quailty product. And the comments about how the republicans caused the big 3 mess, is just plain ignorance from the autoworkers. And are now begging the government to bail you out. Forgot you. Thank you Sen Shelby and keep up the good work.

Dont you Union guys think? Your boycott will hurt you. Alabama folks love to hunt , fish, boat, and four wheel. They buy your products. Most trucks on the road here are domestic. You start a trade war with Alabama and you will come out the looser. Find another way to express your emotion. Try something that will work!

I am a retired auto-worker and UAW member who lost his job to a plant closing in 1989 because of outsourcing.My company wanted to ship our jobs to mexico and exploit cheat labor. I am disgusted with how a small group of radical Republicans who are hell bent on destroying the labor movement and middle class in this country. All these SOUTHERN Senators who use tax payer dollars to subsidize foreign manufacturors and whole all live on the federal dole now are willing to risk throwing this country into a major depression…They are trying to play hardball and be obstructionist because they can…The only way that they can be pressured is if their constituants put it on them and a boycott of Alabama for vacation or buying products is totally appropriate and should be pursued with vigor…That is the usual Republican strategy to boycott anyone and any business to meet their ends…This movement should become viral on the internet because it is not just auto-workers and related business that will be losing their jobs and benefits. It will be the local diner, pub, barber, meatmarket, convenient store, healthclubs, volunteer organizations,health care workers and facilities beyond the immediate industries who will also suffer because of this dispicable act by Senator Shelby and his millionaire co-horts…

Hey, Shelby,,,how many of your fellow Alabamians came up here to Michigan to get a good job way back in the 40′s, 50′s, 60′s!!!! I know whole famalies from Sand Mt. that came up here and sucked off the BIG 3. Me thinks you still fighting the CIVIL WAR. Maybe once everyone is laid off up here, your state came pay our unenjoyment!!!

He better don’t try to play with fire

The fact that Detroit is launching an initiative to boycott Alabama products illustrates the poor tactical judgment of the Michigan based auto industry. The folks in Alabama buy one hell-of-a-lot of Ford, GM, and Chrysler products. Go to a Talladega race and count the UAW made pick up trucks. What Alabama products do the folks in Michigan buy? Sure they buy some Mercedes, Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai products. However, those Michigan buyers have already demonstrated that they have no loyalty to the UAW. They surely will not participate in the boycott.

This Union tactic to launch a “STRIKE” against Alabama products will backfire. I grew up in Dearborn, MI and now live in Alabama. I understand the thinking of folks from both states. In the State of Alabama we love our Senators and applaud them for being good stewards of tax payer money. The Alabama Senators are actually helping the people of Michigan by forcing the Big 3 to become better business people.

The reason UAW products are loosing favor with the American public are because of the worn out union tactics like this boycott. Bubba will drive a Toyota to Talladega if this keeps up! He is already angry that Michigan is a “Blue” state!

This senator if he is a little bit smart, he will shut his mouth and watch his back, there are over million of UAW member out there

This senator is just trying to pad his pockets. I work for the one of the big three and we need not only boycott Alabama, but we should boycott the sell of any of those Alabama built vehicles. We should also boycott them from our national auto show that they benefit from.

This senator is just trying to pad his pockets. I work for the one of the big three and we need not only boycott Alabama, but we should boycott the sell of any of those Alabama built vehicles. We should also boycott them from our national auto show that they benefit from.

The corn fed cackler from alahammybammy is the original Boss Hogg !

This ungrateful Senator from Alabama is despicable. His state has been getting welfare from Michigan and other Midwestern states for years and still does. Alabama has been using this money to build their infrastructures and run their state while they unfairly subsidize foreign automakers in Alabama. Senator Shelby didn’t serve his country when it needed him at time of war and is turning his back on American manufacturing and workers now. Well Alabama, Because of Senator Shelby, My wife, My adult working children, and Myself are happily supporting this boycott of Alabama products. Tomorrow I inform my neighbors, friends, fellow veterans, and relatives of this boycott. Next election, send donations to get this ungrateful selfish hypocrite out of office.

As an Alabamian I am opposed to the bialouts, all of them includung the whopper $700 billion for Wall Street that Alabama Senators Shelby and Session also declined to support. What is it with all the panic and fear? Where are the cool heads of reason who realize that the American Auto Industry has made a mockery of itself by arrogantly expecting that they should have been allowed to fail after 35 years of stagnation. Do I want to pay for auto workers Viagra precriptions as they are calculated into the cost of an Auto made by UAW….take your ‘stiffies’ and shove them up your soon to be unemployed arses….squeal like a Pig, greedy Pigs, oink!

Here’s a link showing Alabama nets $1.71 in federal spending for every dollar it pays in federal taxes (2004). That’s the 5th highest federal recipient of tax dollars in the Union in 2004. Michigan on the other hand was a “donor” state at $.85 of federal spending per tax dollar. I guess the Senator isn’t concerned as much about the US taxpayers donating their dollars to his state as he is about guaranteed loans.

http://www.taxfoundation.org/blog/show/1397.html

Why would the other car companies be asking for bailouts? There are only 3 AMERICAN car companies, so it kinda makes sense that those would be the only ones to be asking the AMERICAN government for money.

and btw, Chrysler is at number 4, which is above Honda and most other imports.

And since when is Canada and Mexico overseas, last I checked, you didn’t need an amphibous car to drive to either. Also, the big three only have one plant each in each country, while having several in America. The japs have only one plant each here, while several overseas.

BUT I DIGRESS; AN ALCOHOLIC CHUMP WITH A PUFFY FACE…

A TOOL OF NEOIMPERIALISTS!!!

ANOTHER GEORGE WALLACE?

Well it is obvious that Sen. Shelby is as educated as the average person in Alabama, because he is referring to a filibuster as a mere “debate” when it is a debate used for the purpose of derailing legislation, not for the purposes of education. Can I be surprised that the people of Alabama would elect someone as ignorant as Shelby, no. I am all for boycotting Alabama.

To Patrick, maybe you should move to Alabama, because you seem to be as uneducated as Sen. Shelby. Although I agree that the management of the big three could use some vast improvement, and a serious reduction in income as well, your comments about the employees at the factories is untrue and clearly comes from someone who has no idea what he is talking about. Several of my friends are or were employed by one of the big three. Many of them took a buyout and hare currently pursuing new careers, so they could stay in Michigan and still support their families. A few have even opened their own businesses, far from the actions of lazy, unreliable, unhealthy, and greedy people. These are people willing to take a chance in a state that is in a serious economic crisis. As far as the health of the workers for the big three, have you ever been in a factory? It is not a healthy environment. You sound like someone who has some serious anger issues, and I think you “waste your time with this opinionated bullshit” because you lack the education and intelligence to deal with your anger in a constructive manner. Maybe you should consider seeking professional help before you harm yourself or others. Also, beware of the name calling, or I will ensure you never are able to post another comment to this or any other cite, and it just goes to support my statements regarding your lack of intelligence.

I called Mr. Shelby’s office and was told the mailbox was full-coincidence??? I think not. I think those Republican Senators are hypocritical jerks. We were planning a vacation, thought about going to Alabama-NOT!!!! They should make the banking fools, (who’s greed caused this huge mess), what cuts their going to make and what their plan is. This is the most disgraceful act of arrogance I’ve ever seen. They need to remember who pays their salary….

Who was crying from GM headquarters when my Delphi job in Lower Alabama was shipped to CHINA. No one gave me a bailout. I had to get a new job. Why should my tax dollars prop up these clowns.

Why do I waste my time with this opinionated bullshit?

The Big 3 are where they are because of the F*in clowns at the UAW AND the management blows.

There’s a reason that other car companies aren’t asking for handouts. Would it happened to be that they have good management and good AMERICAN people working for them? Or lazy UAW idiots who assemble crap cars?

Last time I checked, the final assembly of “foreign” car companies were increasingly in the U.S. while GM, FORD, AND CHRYSLER have been shipping them overseas. Point the finger at Bush all you idiots want, but at the end of the day, WHY would GM be cutting jobs here? Perhaps its the UAW with its unreliable, unhealthy, greedy workers.

Face it- WHO LIKES the UAW anymore? No one. Who likes the Big 3? Folks that are connected to them. LOOK AT BRAND LOYALTY. The Big 3 ALL SIT under foreign car companies. Does management or the UAW give a shit? They haven’t for years.

/blog

what a c*nt

Shelby has been bought and paid for by non-union car makers who
ran to his state to prevent paying fair wages to working folk.
He allowed this influx of foreign auto makers and gave them all
kinds of tax breaks.

This entire thing is disgraceful. I’m a UAW retired, International
Representative and my husband is a retired GM employee. Shelby and
his crew should be remembered by the retired GM and UAW workers
living in the State of Alabama. Shelby has been in Washington for
years with no recognition…he finally has his 15 minutes of fame.

Ask Shelby what kind of car he drives.

I agree with you. I live in Alabama and worked for Chrysler for 31 years. I called Mr.Shelby’s office yesterday and left a message that he should get rid of his people and take $1:oo salary since the Republicans (George Bush Administration)has caused this country to be in the shape its in. He doesn’t care about the Retirees in his own state. Richard Shelby only cares about his politics. Just for the record when he first ran for Senate as a Democrat many years ago he wanted the workers vote. Shows he is a turncoat and has loyalty only to himself

The problems that the big three have right now have nothing to do with the way that they are structured. They’re doing so poorly because people cannot get auto loans from the banks. How can people like this support the failure of the nations greatest industry that started the middle class that we know today in America.

I hope he gets run over by a Hummer.