Posted by
Jennifer Waite on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 7:36:25 PM
I think I've made it clear that I adore, quite literally adore, John McCain, but during the primary I was a Mitt Romney supporter. (I blame Huckabee, but that's water under the bridge) With our current economic problems I can't help but wonder if Romney had been the nominee would Barack Obama be doing something different today? Like choosing which issue to vote present on next or pondering a way to be even further left than organizations like Planned Parenthood.
As the Big Three executives were flying to Washington D.C. on lier jets to ask the government for our money, Romney was writing this short, to the point, common sense op-ed piece for the New York Times. He says giving them the bailout they're asking for will dictate their failure.
He makes several good, should be obvious points.
1. The Big Three need new labor agreements so they can produce cars that can be competitive in price to their foreign counterparts.
2. CHANGE in management. New faces from unrelated industries, successful industries.
3. Management and unions - let the healing begin. I don't know nuthin' 'bout buildin' no cars and I don't know nuthin' 'bout economics. But I do know that labor unions are proficient at defeating their purpose. I think when they come in there is a legitimate need, but their demands are insatiable.
I am very proud to have been born in Moline, IL, home of John Deere, the Detroit of farm implements. My grandfather worked like a dog his whole life at factory jobs in that industry. They got by, but it wasn't thanks to the unions. My dad told me every time the family would start to get ahead they'd go on strike. He said there was a time they were going on strike every year. Eventually my grandfather chose to cross the picket line to feed his family. Dad and Grandpa are both dead now and I can't remember the details, but he was met with clear threats to himself, his home and his family. Some brotherhood. My dad told me at one point he got one of his first jobs at the factory. One day he saw my grandpa at work, wringing with sweat from head to toe. He knew my grandfather worked hard, but he had no idea. My dad told me this story several times, so I know it made an big impression. An American that works that hard his whole life should get ahead. You might even call it the American Dream. Yeah, unions suck at the American Dream.
Where was I? Oh, Romney doesn't only chastise the unions. He goes after the executives also and deservedly so. He says, "The need for collaboration will mean accepting sanity in salaries and perks." Did I mention they took lier jets to D.C. to beg for money. Even the evil Walmart executives fly commercial and double up on Motel 6 rooms. Has anyone heard how Walmart is weathering the economic crisis?
Romney goes on to stress the importance of research and development especially fuel saving technologies. See environmentalists, money may actually make the world go round.
I think Americans are emotional about the Detroit auto industry. I was sad to hear they stopped making Oldsmobiles a few years, mainly because we had one when I was a kid. Also because I'm a big, silly girl. But really, the auto industry is a big part of our history. I will be bummed if the Big Three fail, but I'll be more bummed if we have to give another 26 billion taxpayer dollars to companies whose failed executives are too good to fly commercial.