"GM to close shop for 9 weeks, no one to notice."

GM to close shop for 9 weeks, Execs to get hefty bonuses for cost cutting. Righties to continue loyalty to non-American manufacturers because some UAW retiree gets their preferred tee time. (Not to be confused with preferred teabagging time)

GM to close shop for 9 weeks, Execs to get hefty bonuses for cost cutting. Righties to continue loyalty to non-American manufacturers because some UAW retiree gets their preferred tee time. (Not to be confused with preferred teabagging time)

You forgot "Lefties to keep bailing water from the Titanic using taxpayer funded buckets."

Matt has this as the banner headline story o' the day over at his Retort parody site.

Anybody who couldn't see this one coming wasn't really looking very hard.

Northguy nailed it on the second post.

Be Well.

"Lefties to keep bailing water from the Titanic using taxpayer funded buckets."

I was not aware G.W. Bush was a "lefty". I did not know that.

I was not aware G.W. Bush was a "lefty". I did not know that.

#5 | Posted by Big_League_Chew

Compasionate conservatism was a euphamism for "I am a closet marxist." I've been saying this way before the bailouts.

"GM to close shop for 9 weeks, no one to notice."

#1 | Posted by Big_League_Chew

The UAW fat asses will have to just do nothing at home now instead of at work or the bar accross the street during work hours.

GM has announced it will not pay a $1 billion interest payment due June 1. In other words, GM is defaulting on it's debts, meaning, it will go into bankruptcy.

In related new, there apparently is a deal for a pre-packaged Chrysler bankruptcy next week.

"Compassionate Conservatism" was a euphemism for 'I'll fuck you over and you'll still vote for me, and then after we are shown the door you'll come out into the streets to protest your tax cut.'

The UAW destroyed GM and the democrap party destroyed Detroit.

The UAW destroyed GM and the democrap party destroyed Detroit.

#10 | POSTED BY FWTHOM AT 2009-04-23 04:19 PM | REPLY | FLAG

Please don't confuse the people with obvious facts.

- the Left

"Compasionate conservatism was a euphamism for "I am a closet marxist."

Yeah, "compassionate conservatism" equals Marxism. Are all loonytarians this retarded?

Ya know, the gummint could keep the auto industry and the steel industry and the fabric industries alive on what falls off the table on military contracts.

Yeah, "compassionate conservatism" equals Marxism. Are all loonytarians this retarded?

#12 | Posted by nullifidian

I am not a retard, I don't think I could beat Obama at bowling.

I am not a retard, I don't think I could beat Obama at bowling.

I didn't know that he was a good bowler.

We all know he's good at hoops and can't swim, but bowling?

Now that you mention the steel industry, that is when I started calling Bush a marxist, when he fucked the auto industry by putting in place protectionist measures to help big steel and try to get Pennsylvania to become a red state (which failed, of course).

We all know he's good at hoops and can't swim, but bowling?

#15 | Posted by JeffJ

I think you might have missed the, now DR classic, Special Olympics Thread.

They get laid off for 9 weeks but still get paid because of their union contracts!

Nice to have a 9 week paid vacation. Yet another reason why the UAW is a cancer to the American automobile industry.

Toyota and Honda execs must be laughing their asses off.

Their strategy for survival is basically - keep everything the same but just make less of them - brilliant! Why was NOT letting them go into bankruptcy paramount three months ago - all the suppliers etc... it will be a disaster... now - not so much.

I own a Cherokee and was considering a new Liberty - love the new 2008 look but just cannot do it. April 2009 Consumer-Reports rates it lowest, in fact on all the graphs the little black dots (bad) are always for US cars - pathetic.

Just once I would have loved to have gotten a letter from GM asking me how they could improve it - wouldn't that have been a surprise? Maybe even fostered loyalty?

Also, on the news the other night they showed GM's new electric Hummer. I don't know what was more ridiculous - that, or the comment - it should be out in THREE years.

"Toyota and Honda execs must be laughing their asses off.

#18 | Posted by utastaff "

I doubt it.

Just once I would have loved to have gotten a letter from GM asking me how they could improve it [Liberty]

Unlikely since GM doesn't make the Liberty.

Sad that the UAW will let the gravy train run right over the cliff rather than give up their ill-gotten gains. Between the UAW shake-downs and government interference and second-guessing, GM is doomed. This crap is right out of Atlas Shrugged.

Anybody watch Top Gear, the UK car show? It's amazing how many more cars and car makers they have over there compared to the USA. Between endless government rules and strongarm labor tactics, what car maker in their right mind would want to sell cars here?

They get laid off for 9 weeks but still get paid because of their union contracts!

Nice to have a 9 week paid vacation. Yet another reason why the UAW is a cancer to the American automobile industry.

Um no, they are going to be on your dime, but glad you show us your stupid ignorance.

This is not a good sign.

It appears BK is nearing. Although filing for BK would have ripple affects--maybe that is the only way to straighten out the company.

Money--do they get paid while off or do they collect unemployment??

Their plans seem very agressive for layoffs and cutting production.

I'm sure the gov't could give them an extension on paying the first payment of 1 billion.

Murphy,

They collect unemployment.

These people who are getting layed off will not get their jobs back for the jobs will not be open.

Across the nation we are laying off over 600,000 people a month, that is about the size of the city of seattle.

People just don't get it, let these last few manufacturing companies go and we'll succeed at speeding up our third world population decline.

Obama has done nothing and people seem to like it, how moronic is that.

Don't feel sorry for the Autoworkers yet. I believe according to their union contract, after unemployment compensation, GM is obligated to make up the difference in lost pay.

People just don't get it, let these last few manufacturing companies go and we'll succeed at speeding up our third world population decline.

On the contrary, bailing out failing businesses is how you end up a third world country. The federal government's bonded debt of $12 Trillion is almost on par with the GNP of $14 Trillion. A 1:1 ratio is the point where nations go third world.

I think this assessment is fairly accurate.

GM and Treasury Department officials will no doubt make every attempt to sugarcoat the disaster and disguise its severity. But the unmistakable reality is that, despite any government guarantees,

* GM dealerships will suffer massive further declines in sales;

* GM customers will suffer severe cutbacks in service and availability of parts;

* The used GM car market already burned will be toast;

* The government will be hard pressed to assume responsibility for the pensions and health benefits of GM employees and retirees let alone their income;

* It will be difficult to avoid failures among GM's suppliers, which, in turn, could precipitate a chain reaction of more failures among their suppliers; and worst of all

* To the degree that the Treasury throws good money after bad to avert some of these consequences, it will merely drive up interest rates for everyone.

Don't feel sorry for the Autoworkers yet. I believe according to their union contract, after unemployment compensation, GM is obligated to make up the difference in lost pay.

Why do people just make shit up they hear on RUMOR.

Talk about the masses being ignorant for the purpose of downing America.

GM, UAW reach cost-cutting deal
GM is eliminating the jobs bank, which paid workers near full wages when laid off. Move comes as deadline approaches for GM to prove to government it is viable.

January 28, 2009: 12:54 PM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- General Motors and the United Auto Workers union have agreed to eliminate a controversial program that kept workers at near full pay even when there was no work for them, the company confirmed Wednesday....

My name is ray and I love making shit up to make these American working class DOG always look bad. The world is in the dumper and you people just don't see the doom and gloom heading your way, but this is a good thing.

My name is ray and I love making shit up to make these American working class DOG always look bad.

Well actually, I read that in the NY Post the other day. I guess the writer erred.

I happen to be a member of the American working class.

The world is in the dumper and you people just don't see the doom and gloom heading your way, but this is a good thing.

My company is on a four day workweek; I lose a day's pay. You're on a roll with the stupid insults.

The UAW destroyed GM and the democrap party destroyed Detroit.

Correction the democrap party destroyed most fucking major cities in the USA. I live in downtown san diego and there are literally hundereds of walking zombies living and urinating/craping on the sidewalks-thanks demorats

People just don't get it, let these last few manufacturing companies go and we'll succeed at speeding up our third world population decline.

Obama has done nothing and people seem to like it, how moronic is that.

#25 | Posted by moneywar

bailing out failing businesses is how you end up a third world country. The federal government's bonded debt of $12 Trillion is almost on par with the GNP of $14 Trillion. A 1:1 ratio is the point where nations go third world.

#26 | Posted by Ray

I agree to both points.

We are screwed.

"We are screwed."

#32 | Posted by MURPHY at 2009-04-23 11:35 PM | Reply | Flag: wishful thinking

Ankles up!!

Wow! I never thought it was possible for a president to bankrupt the auto industry after just over 100 days in office especially considering Bushy bailed them out in style. What happened?

I guess it will be Flintstone cars for America now. Buy stock in Nike.

People just don't get it, let these last few manufacturing companies go and we'll succeed at speeding up our third world population decline.

#25 | Posted by moneywar at 2009-04-23 07:26 PM | Reply

Last few? Hardly.

America has a thriving auto industry, making quality vehicles people want to buy. Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Mercedes, Isuzu and more are building great cars, in the United States, with American workers.

Best car I ever had was a Honda built in Ohio.

Companies that cannot compete will go out of business, as they should. Hudson, Studebaker, Nash and Crosley are among the car makers that have vanished because they could not compete.

It causes considerable stress on people affected. But for the overall economy it's ultimately healthy.

You are a first class idiot.

The company will save money, even if the worker's pay is the same:

1. Less tools and car parts stolen by workers.
2. Fewer workman's compensation claims after industrial accidents.

I never thought it was possible for a president to bankrupt the auto industry after just over 100 days in office especially considering Bushy bailed them out in style. What happened?

#34 | Posted by RingMaster

How do you figure this is Obama's fault?

If people aren't buying product, any business is going to fail.

Is Toyota's downturn in sales Obama's fault?

In GM's case, or Chrysler for that matter, if the business is not producing good product, or comparable product, then the business is not going to continue.

Normally, businesses fail and are not bailed out. But GM North American and Chrysler represent literally millions of jobs. There is nothing to replace all these soon-to-be displaced employees. Add the loss of the huge manufacturing base. It is a tragedy.

But this failure has been a long time coming. Attempting to blame this on Obama is just a cheap shot.

My company is on a four day workweek; I lose a day's pay.

#30 | Posted by Ray

Hmmmmm... Would I take a 20% loss in pay to have 3-day weekends? As long as I retained full benefits (health and such), I would probably go with yes.

If people aren't buying product, any business is going to fail.

#37 | Posted by ZOT

Zot

A four day workweek was a long dream of mine finally come true. Especially when I'm collecting SS. Benefits don't change.

Use the time wisely. Fire all present car designers and engineers. Bring back the models from the 40's and 50's. If you do not have the blue prints, now you can visit Cuba and buy some of those cars. The things are still running around there, and they work better than the new cars here today. You must have done something right in those years. So bring back the past in cars. Stay away from that future hybrid nonsense.

Bring back the models from the 40's and 50's. If you do not have the blue prints, now you can visit Cuba and buy some of those cars. The things are still running around there, and they work better than the new cars here today. You must have done something right in those years. So bring back the past in cars. Stay away from that future hybrid nonsense.

#41 | Posted by MRRETALIATION

Dang!!! Talk about nonsense!

Cars from the 40s and 50s "work better" than the new cars today????

The list I could create about how wrong that is would take me hours.

Tell us, how do cars from mid 20th century "work better" than the cars of today in the early 21st century? What could those older cars possibly do that could be considered better?

BTW, those cars in Cuba? Not a good bet for modeling. Most of them have reworked as needed rebuilt using hand-tooled parts.

The UAW destroyed GM

#10 | Posted by fwthom at 2009-04-23 04:19 PM

Yes, they signed both sides of the contract and then went on to make every other management decision for GM for the past 30 years.

God you are dumb.

Bring back the models from the 40's and 50's.

#41 | Posted by MRRETALIATION

Why stop there?

Let's apply that flawed logic to personal audio systems, television, air travel, computers, etc.

"Righties to continue loyalty to non-American manufacturers because some UAW retiree gets their preferred tee time. (Not to be confused with preferred teabagging time)" #2 | Posted by northguy3

Typical liberal lie. I have never looked at a foreign manufacturer for a car. I have also belonged to unions most of my working life. However I do not agree with the UAW getting paid somewhere in the neighborhood of 80% while being laid off.

Companies that cannot compete will go out of business, as they should. Hudson, Studebaker, Nash and Crosley are among the car makers that have vanished because they could not compete.

You are a first class idiot.

#35 | Posted by vernon at 2009-04-24 04:55 AM | Reply | Flag

Are you ever right?

UPDATE: GM Plant Closures to Begin in May

Last Update: 4/23 8:32 am

"Thousands of workers could be laid off but would still get most of their pay because their United Auto Workers union contract requires the company to make up much of the difference between state unemployment benefits and their wages. UAW officials at several factories said they have meetings scheduled Thursday and Friday with plant managers and GM human resource officials to discuss production changes."

It is time to eliminate....let them burn...then we can all listen to the UAW whine about no jobs...while never realizing they are the majority of the problem...

The mere fact that cars from the 50's are still running in Cuba makes a case. Those were, and still are, American made vehicles. They can be fixed with hand tools?, great. Try to fix a modern American car yourself today and see what happens. Not even a graduate of MIT can do it. You need to take the vehicle in, for days, and they burn your pocket. Those were the days when you could truly, as Dinah Shore used to sing: "see the U.S.A. in your Chevrolet." Buick, another great American car, and Milton Berle would smile as the song went, "how I love to drive my Buick."

I heard that Pontiac has just been eliminated. There is a possibility that there is an old Pontiac still running around in Cuba, with the Indian emblem in front of the hood, and it will continue to run for many years to come. Great cars, made in America, once upon a time.

I am thinking that when GM finally goes tits-up, there will be tens of thousands more people with no health insurance. When the GM retirees lose their health benefits, the howls will be even louder! Every body in the laid-off side of the equation makes the cry for National Health Care louder!