The agenda: Health care, labor, autos

Posted: Monday, December 01, 2008 9:37 AM by Carrie Dann

The Los Angeles Times delves into the health care debate and maintains a consensus is developing around "universal protection" which will stop short of "universal coverage."

The head of the UAW is pleading with Congress to pass the bailout for the Automakers. “ ‘We cannot afford to see these companies fail,’ said Ron Gettelfinger, the UAW chief, calling on Congress to approve the aid during a special session the week of Dec. 8. Mr. Gettelfinger said a $25 billion rescue plan for the carmakers is ‘not a bailout, this is a loan -- a bridge loan -- that will get us through until we can take a longer-term look at exactly what needs to be done in the industry.’”

Video: Businessman Ted Turner discusses the state of the U.S. auto industry with NBC’s Tom Brokaw on “Meet the Press.”

Al Gore would support an auto bailout if there are a lot of energy independence strings attached.

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Comments

I bet the UAW is pleading, also know as begging, for the some of the free money being given out by congress. It's just another steal from the taxpayer program that every other business that "can't fail" is trying to get a cut of. We can't afford to let these companies fail? We also can't afford to give trillions away to companies and unions that show no intentions of changing and becoming more competitive.

Gravy Train (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 9:51 AM)

The Big 3 need to cut their salaries beginning with the CEO's. They should not be pulling down millions of dollars of pay for companies that are failing. I think the greed of Corporate America has gone beyond reason, cuts should begin at the top and trickle down. The UAW has made some concessions but there are still more concessions they can make.

MS ROMAN (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 9:52 AM)

Why are the financial institutions being allowed to spend our taxpayer money however they want, yet, all kinds of restrictions are being put on the auto industry?? There should have been stipulations put
on all businesses receiving our funds.
Oh, forgot, the financial are the elite and the
auto makers middle class America. Forgot, the pubs
are still in power.

katiec Pekin, IL (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 9:54 AM)

Here come the new taxes!!!

T. Boone, Oklahoma (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 9:57 AM)

FR: [Al Gore would support an auto bailout if there are a lot of energy independence strings attached. ]

Does that include new offshore drilling in US waters? Thought not.

Drill Here, Drill Now (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 9:58 AM)

Gettelfinger is a pathetic spokesman for the needs of the UAW and the USA. He brings no insight to the discussion, no solution to our collective problems. Keith Olbermann did a better job explaining the wages of the UAW members in thirty seconds that Gettelfinger is able to do in twenty minutes of mealey-mouthed double speak. He's part of the problem.

UAW hire a P.R. person to speak for this clown.

Paul Independence, Va. (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 10:01 AM)

We need universal health coverage and anything less will be a failure. We can't trust privatized medical care as we've seen how it bankrupts families who think they're insured and then get hit with some lame excuse by the insurance industry so they can weasel out of paying thier fair share.

Finally the auto industry is embracing the reality of needing to put out more fuel efficient cars after over 30 years of the repugnant ones letting them off the hook. We need to save the auto industry in order to save good paying union jobs. It was the auto execs who wrecked the industry and not the UAW.

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 10:01 AM)

To get AlGores approval for anything, you have to bring a dozen jellie doughnuts to the meeting with him. Otherwise, Al won't talk to you.

Dunkin D. (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 10:14 AM)

The beggers are lining up for the taxpayers money! And they'll probably get it. But if you need to miss a mortgage payment, are having trouble paying off your credit card bills, or if you want to send your kid to college, well, you're on you own! See, you're not important enough to have this country 'not see you fail'.

Starbucks (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 10:17 AM)

What the h*ll does Ted Turner know about the auto industry?

Jane Fonda (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 10:19 AM)

I guess now's the time the Democrats will tell us things will be a lot cheaper after we pay twice as much for them.

Loretta, NH (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 10:20 AM)

The health care issue is going to be where the GOP/RNC will put up the biggest political road blocks. The "DO IT Yourselfers" (DIY's) in the GOP/RNC, will see this as "spreading the wealth." What these scientifically, and medically backwards individuals of the GOP/RNC, do not understand are the concepts of medical prevention. This concept of medical support, will be more cost effective for our whole society in the long run. A medically healthy society, is important for continued economic growth, and will strengthen public safety. As for the auto industry, they need to think for the future. Energy efficiency is key, and being positively productive in this process will be crucial. That is fact!

Rock,Janesville,Wisconsin (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 10:33 AM)

The American Auto industry doesn't seem to have pulled its collective head out of the sand yet. They are just expecting Congress to say okay. That has to stop. I would like to see something about the Big 3 stopping or shrinking SUV manufacturing and consolidating brand lines; Ford can cancel Mercury; GM can close Pontiac, Hummer and possibly Saturn. They need to talk to all the dealers and see what can be done to reduce costs. The UAW has to show some willingness to change their contract as well.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 10:56 AM)

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