Comments on: Bush demands concessions from auto industry chiefs, but bank men? Not so much

By: Jill Miller Zimon

Jill Miller Zimon — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:54:34 +0000

Loraine, that is an excellent point. I have heard some news stories about that too. I suppose part of the problem is that some of those countries are bona fide socialist countries and so Americans who even suggest that they think we’re the slightest bit socialist need to take a hard look at what Britain and Europe are doing. I’m not sure about Japan – are they considered socialist? I don’t know anything about their tax structure etc.

Anyway – there’s not doubt their gov’ts embrace a philosophy of more societal responsibility. The degree to which as a system some people will stick to believing that we should not help out fellow Americans, and which fellow Americans, is truly depressing.

By: Jill Miller Zimon

Jill Miller Zimon — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:51:43 +0000

Reverend, your comments have been very lucid and not too over the top lately – I’m nodding my head in agreement with most of them, this one included.

Situations like this really remind me of when I lived in New Haven and there was a blizzard. I called the city to find out about the parking ban and specifically asked where I could and could not park my car. They told me and I followed their instructions. The next day, my car had been towed. I was soooooooo angry – I had been the best citizen I could be, specifically inquiring etc. So the city tells me I have to pay all this money to get my car and pay a ticket and I tell them about how I asked etc. and they don’t budge. So I pursue a complaint against them, immediately, before I even got my car, and lo and behold – there was a tape of the call and they agreed that I’d followed what I’d been told and I got my car and didn’t have to pay anything.

But it’s that kind of thing – where you try to follow all the rules, even go the extra, and the people in control/power still try to mess with you. I HATE that. lol

By: Loraine Ritchey

Loraine Ritchey — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:46:50 +0000

Jill from what I am understanding is that most of the governments are helping out their own auto industry and from today’s BBC will Japan be far behind
Toyota braced for historic loss
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7794888.stm

Does the US have a level playing field in all of this? I seem to remember the US Steel industry struggling against the overseas steel makers as they were being subsidized weren’t they by their governments- if my aging brain recall it was called dumping????

By: The Reverend

The Reverend — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:21:34 +0000

Preach on.

It’s hard not to be cynical here. Banks basically received a blank check…still no oversight today…for $350 billion, and Hank-boy wants the rest. Banks don’t make stuff, they’re much too serious and intelligent than that.

Automakers actually make something and only asked for a $14 billion loan…..but they’re not serious and intelligent people like the bankers. Bankers get bailouts.

And besides, haven’t you seen how those autoworkers sweat, and wear, like, work clothes every day. Anyone who would do such a thing should work for less, simply by definition.

See Jill, if union autoworkers don’t take a wage beating…then the next thing you know, undocumenteds will ask for more….where would it all stop?

But we continue to hope.