Since we own part of GM, does that mean I get an Employee Discount??

The financial news of the week is the GM bankruptcy. For what its worth, I am willing to loan the money to GM to save the middle class jobs at stake--although I have no problem if have the upper management lose their jobs....go work at mall wart.

What is very sad is that the workers and smaller businesses have taken some real hits due to what some suits decided to design and manufacture. What is also sad is that too many Americans believe the lies that its because of THE EVIL UNION instead of bad business practices, even tho labor costs are under 10% per automobile.

Look how long the auto companies and oil companies have been able to get deferrments on CAFE standards--much less than Europe. Look at what and how advertising plays into this--count those ads for the Hummer, Large SUV's and compare those with your basic sedans or small cars.

But to look at it with some more information, all 1st world countries, except the United States, offer some type of national health care for the people. This means two things: first, the auto companies are free from having to offer health insurance as a benefit/requirement of employment and second, the health care rates much better than ours -- per the WHO we rate #37 out of 40 "first world countries" in health care, although we are still #1 in expense. Even more so, the top ten countries are all single payer--one less expense on the business and less money being paid by everyone, including the government for health care.

But the companies have to start manufacturing cars we want and can afford. I'm in the beginning research to replace my 2001 Pontiac Aztek---QUIT LAUGHING AT MY CAR--I'll bet my gas mileage to any other vehicle in the same class(I get anywhere from 24-27 mpg, depending on how heavy my foot is). But....its time, I don't want a cookie cutter car, I need a larger vehichle to tote around my brood, but due to cost, I've only got one US car--the Chevy HHR in the line up.

We need to remember how to manufacture well and safely....and I know we can do it, it just may take some time.