On cars, finger pointing

fact — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:05:12 GMT

That's the problem with our current administration. They're too busy pointing the finger elsewhere when they should be looking at themselves.

On cars, finger pointing

Pat, Boston, MA — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:05:44 GMT

People, please just sit down together and figure out how to help out the families in Michigan and Ohio and Indiana. This is not about blame anymore. It's about the economy, and in case you hadn't noticed, it's about lives and their childrens' futures.

Get a clue.

On cars, finger pointing

Synical Sal — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:05:51 GMT

Democrats are just interested in paying off the unions for their support in the last election. Conditions on the $25 billion? The only "condition" the Democrats have is that the unions give 10% of the bailout back to the Democrats in the form of political contributions.

On cars, finger pointing

Full Moon — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:06:52 GMT

Perino is an idiot. She makes Sarah Palin look like Alfred Einstein.

On cars, finger pointing

Charlie, Midland, VA — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:08:38 GMT

We the people don't have to bail out failure. I want to see the UAW give up something first. I have seen the CEO's give up their salaries now lets see if the UNIONS really want the loans and jobs.

On cars, finger pointing

me — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:08:50 GMT

Restrictions need to be put on them to ensure that this recovery isn't just throwing bad money after bad money but that the big three actually use the money for retooling and the production of green energy cars, transitional cars from gas to fossilless fuels etc. Without that guarantee Chrysler, Ford and GM should be allowed to fail. It is time they learn from their mistakes. They haven't in the past maybe they will this time or be forced to do it if they want the money.

On cars, finger pointing

Lint N. Pockets — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:10:17 GMT

If the Big Three want loans, why don't they go to the bank like everyone else and fill out an application for one. Banks have lots of money, We The People gave them billions just a few weeks ago.

On cars, finger pointing

Clara Kansas City, MO — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:15:42 GMT

Fair to say Bush intends to punt any 'leadership' to anyone else,...

On cars, finger pointing

Richard, Delmar, NY — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:20:42 GMT

Democrats are just interested in paying off the unions for their support in the last election. Conditions on the $25 billion? Sorry Sal but this is cheaper than the no strings Wall Street money that the White House has for their banking pals.

On cars, finger pointing

Demosthenes112358 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:28:05 GMT

So the automakers want to use a $25 billion dollar loan intended to help retool their manufacturing plants to enable them to produce cars that people want and use that towards operation expenseses. I have not seen anyone explain how that will solve the long term problem of US auto makers failing to innovate, and make better (read: fuel effecient) cars.

I drive a Honda. My car before that was a Volvo. The reason for that was because both models outperformed any GM, Chrysler, or Ford model in terms of fuel effeciency. US car manufacturers are suffering from poor bussiness decisions and lack of will to improve their product. Until they figure that out, any bailout will just be throwing good money after bad money.

This is all beside the point that giving public money to private actors is the very definition of socialism. But we can't have universal health care... because that would socialism?

On cars, finger pointing

Rock,Janesville,Wiconsin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:28:59 GMT

Nice try to pass the buck Perino! It is the failed Bush-Cheney Government that caused this whole mess to begin with. By the way Perino! It it the Bush-Cheney Government officials who, are looking for a political/economic "scapgoat!" The terrible economic/tax policies that constantly favored the rich for 8 years helped cause this mess. Bush-McCain gave huge tax breaks to large corporations that sent America jobs to other countries. Their policy gave no tax incentives for the American auto makers to retool/restructure in time. All of the Ameican tax dollars wasted in Iraq. Some of it could have been used to set-up auto worker training programs. That is fact!

On cars, finger pointing

sarahpie — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:29:35 GMT

Before we give the Big Three any money for a bailout, their executive/management/decision makers better wake up to the real world. They can't continue to operate "business as usual" with their corporate jets and their bonuses and salaries that are 100 times what an average auto worker earns. They need to make a commitment to change how they are operating because it's obvious what they are doing now is NOT WORKING!

On cars, finger pointing

mk — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:31:39 GMT

Charlie: Do you blame the workers for the failure of the management? Do you really believe those at the top will work for a BUCK?? You are gulible aren't you.
Of course it always easy to blame the workers. They have the most to lose. It seems to be the way we do business in this country these days.
Thank god change has arrived.

On cars, finger pointing

Lyn, KCMO — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:32:44 GMT

We've got to stop the madness... First we bail out Wall Street, now they want us to bail out the big 3. What's next? Airlines?

We knew in the 70's, foreign oil was a problem - yet the US automakers continued to make larger, less fuel efficient vehicles year after year... They have watched their profits go to Toyota, Honda and the rest who did see the 'writing on the wall' and built fuel efficient vehicles & hybrids.

We offered to help them retool - now they want to blow that on continuing down the dead end road they've been on for years.

The American people have chosen to spend their hard earned money on efficient vehicles - now we're being asked to spend our tax dollars on the crap they're making, even though we won't buy them ourselves?

Stop the madness...

On cars, finger pointing

Annette, Odessa, MO — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:34:11 GMT

You people are so smart...go to the bank and try to get a loan. What you can't...well Paulson said you could. Yeah well neither can anyone else. That's why they are where they are. In Oct. no one could buy a car either. Sales were off 30% tell you anything. They have given, and given...layoffs, plant closings. Where have you been?? Look at the number of jobs they have already cut in the last 2 years trying to stay afloat. With no help to get the electric hybrid on the road in the main stream in the heartland of the country what good will it do to have one. Our infra structure needs to be rebuilt before a viable car is going to do much good. Got to have a way to re charge them. It takes co operation with the government and we haven't had that.

On cars, finger pointing

Ed, San Antonio — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:34:23 GMT

The Repukes latest "test balloon man" Rep Job Hensarling (R), TX, was on recently praising the Toyota plant in San Antonio. YIKES! Said plant just recently brought the 2T+ employees back to work after a layoff of a couple of months.

Let us not forget about that great TOYOTA back in the day that lasted forever, and morphed into the expensive LEXUS!

Hensarling left this part out! Now that the plant is back to work (NOT ALL SHIFTS), guess Toyota will begin pumping out those Tundra trucks again.

I wonder what happens to old HYUNDAIs and KIAs? Strange, you never see old ones, always brand new!

The US auto dealers created the "Lease" option to move cars off the dealership lot but forgot that the cars will be returned in a year or so.....increasing the used car business, and the circular car buying/leasing business. STUPID!

I love my CHEVY!, and it's OLD!

On cars, finger pointing

Janet Bessent, Oceanside CA — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:35:03 GMT

Where are Exxon and Mobile. Sharing some of those record profits could go a long way to helping the auto industry right now

On cars, finger pointing

Pat Huntington NY — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:37:16 GMT

Seems the Bush administration found a way to divert money meant for combatting global warming [which they never believed in anyway], to a giveaway to car makers who make fuel inefficient cars that use more gas and thus will keep demand for oil up. Its still all about the oil for the Bushies.

On cars, finger pointing

Beverly in Chicago — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:37:29 GMT

This is the tone is so redundant. Why is it necessary? That $25 billion loan is exactly what commoners want for daily operations (living from paycheck on gas guzzlers). Why Paulson wasn’t so concerned transparency before he threw money to those whom operate daily on other people’s money that they don’t pay back?

On cars, finger pointing

jesse St.Paul Minnesota — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:38:02 GMT

Did we have all the banks come up with a biz plan?Did AIG have to put there new plan out before they got there party money.See repuks are not about to help any biz that has a union.Protecting workers rights doesn't play well with these people.The auto industry represents main street working folks,not wall street.Letting them fall will bring delight to the neo-nuts,after all they have there own auto industry in the south,Toyota,Honda,are there idea of American cars.This all comes down to red and blue states.Detriot just happens to be in a blue state,they were sold down the rode years ago.So you won't see to many tears shed for the Big three.

On cars, finger pointing

Diane Oliva — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:50:12 GMT

Regarding 25 to 50 billion for the US Auto industry:
How much foreign aid have we given Egypt and Israel on a yearly basis over the last 10 years. I read that Israel received $154 billion if you include loan guarantees and other incidentals. Who on MSNBC will address this? (Israel Lobby by Mearsheimer and Walt) If we can give TAX PAYERS MONEY away to the Middle East why can't we take care of stopping foreclosures and help the Car industry? We should have a temporary stop to all Mideast foreign aid. Their economy in Israel, if you check it, is doing just fine. Stop the war in Iraq, stop the excessive foreign aid to Egypt and Israel and we will come out of this "just fine" also. Why do we continue this foreign aid all these years: to keep the Israeli economy going, so they can build more illegal settlements? What restrictions did we put on Israel and Egypt when we gave them the money? Why doesn't Isarel and Egypt go the the World Bank and get loans without out guarantees? We the people need answers before we start turning on ourselves and pushing the self-destruct button. Why is it we don't just let Isreal fail...like we should let the Auto Industry fail? Israel can go bankrupt and reorganize too. What protection does Israel and Egypt give us that we have to purchase this protection will billions we don't have?

On cars, finger pointing

Tom Borg — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:55:40 GMT

What we should do is get rid of all the Big three executives and replace them with UAW managers. In fact, just sell the companies to UAW. They seem to know everything about everything, so let them have a crack at running the automakers.

On cars, finger pointing

Ryan, Quarry House Tavern, MD — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:06:03 GMT

How about if we'd started thinking about fuel efficiency 8 years ago by encouraging the American auto industry with this kind of money and setting strict CAFE standards instead of letting the dumb blind slow market dictate the (non)innovation of the American Auto Industry? Congress will bear this responsibility but so does this President, the last President and Congress for the past 20 years (regardless of who controled it)...oh and did I mention the American Auto Industry?

On cars, finger pointing

Ron Indiana — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:15:20 GMT

Bankruptcy is looking more and more likely. Bush continues to show no leadership. The current congress will not go there with the potential of a presidential veto.

My first impulse was to suggest that they hang-on until January 20th. But that too is a fantasy. It will take time for the new Administration and the new Congress work out a solution. By then the patient may well be in a coma or deceased. It looks bleak for GM and Chrysler. The future may be bright for Toyota.

On cars, finger pointing

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:17:15 GMT

The answer is simple. Do not bail out the auto companies. Let them file for bankruptcy. One of the three will not make it and will shut down permantently. Two of the three will make it assisted by the failure of the third. Take the 25 million requested and use a part of it to assist laid off auto workers to get by until they can be retrained for other jobs or find other employment.

Then, cancel the 700 billion dollar bail out of the market. Take what is left and distribute it equally among all taxpayers. Taxpayers receiving 100,000 to 200,000 apiece will use the money to purchase cars, homes and other big ticket items that will give a boost to the economy.

These economic problems have to be corrected from the bottom up. Pumping money into companies so that they can temporarily build the same failed products without restructuring is a waste of money. A good economy needs consumers. Bail outs for the auto companies and others may stave off bankrutcy temporarily for some, but it does not put money into the hands of consumers. Without consumers none of these companies can hope to survive. It has to begin from the bottom up.

On cars, finger pointing

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:21:42 GMT

Capitolism has been sucking for Joe Six-pack. He can't buy a car because the bank credit is dry and foreign cars are better. His retirement has been stolen and devalued. Even Budwiser sold out to the Europeans.

On cars, finger pointing

Citizen of Rome — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:24:45 GMT

C'mon, people - the rich, greedy bloated investment bankers used to $1,000,000 bonuses for losing other people's money got saved! You think BushCo was ever interested in anyone else?

What does a BushCo spokespuke make to tell lies and defend felons?

On cars, finger pointing

oh, man! — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:32:03 GMT

""Congress will bear responsibility for anything that will happen ... during their long vacation."

Yeah, I guess it was Bush's 8 year vacation that got us here, you pathetic wretch.

On cars, finger pointing

Diane Oliva, Tavares, Florida — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:40:25 GMT

Regarding the Auto Industry: My recent statement was not displayed so I will try again. Since we give Israel and Egypt foreign aid in the Billions why can we take care of our own Auto Industry. We don't ask questions of Egypt or Israel, we don't ask what their long term forcast is, we don't have any conditions on the money we give for foreign aid so why are we so fussy about our auto industry and so hesitant to help home owners who are headed for forclosure? We don't ask Egypt or Israel to change their leaders before we give them the money.

On cars, finger pointing

Rick, NC — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:09:48 GMT

No bailouts for...automakers...bankers...wall street fat cats...farmers...oil companies...beach front property owners...retirees too dumb to save enough...military and gooberment retirees who are double dipping...enough is enough

On cars, finger pointing

Rick, NC — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:11:15 GMT

Uh hello...the bushies played this game with WMD's and now with the bull puckey over the financial collapse...they are in charge and it is their fault...same with 911

On cars, finger pointing

Paul , Woodbridge NJ — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:21:53 GMT

First of all We would not all get 100,000 dollars we would get about 4000.
Second of all , yes US auto makers failed by not having the right cars years ago. But for the most part odays cars are reliable and fule efficient, BUT MOST OF YOU complaining stil buy JAPANES CARS
so when you job lays you off think about how many products you buy that are made somewhere else, nd think of how you complain to your Union when they want to increase production or slow down the raises . Workers in the other countries work and dont whine, thats why they make cheaper products. WE are aal to blame for this economy , but i dont see how letting these companies fail will help us.

Lets stop corruption in politics and alot more will be done for the people.

On cars, finger pointing

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:27:47 GMT

Once again, the dunce in chief's legacy will show that he is no doubt the WORST POTUS. He alone will bear the blame for his failed policies that have bankrupt a powerful nation, dishonored an honorable nation, destroyed the powerful manufacturing companies that were once owned by people in this country. Let the big 3 go into bankruptcy court and get their act together and then only then they might produce a product worthy of quality and price.

On cars, finger pointing

Pat — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:34:34 GMT

I agree with C A...Makes sense to me. I want my money back. Give me $100,000 and I damn well will pump it back into the economy.

On cars, finger pointing

Steve E. — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:49:27 GMT

Maybe we should just leave the business of building cars in the hands of the Japanese and the Europeans; after all the Americans have been at it for over one hundred years and are still lagging miserably behind those countries.

On cars, finger pointing

mary dale, clinton iowa — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:54:17 GMT

GM has placed full page ads in my hometown paper at least for the past 2 days. If they are so concerned about the future of their company they should not be wasting money on stuff like this. I imagine they have flooded all the newspapers across the country to gain sympathy. I say let them fail, learn from their mistakes, hire only the good workers back, hire leaders from successful ventures to pull them out of the bottom. Make the upper management of all the auto industry companies that say they are failing give back all those bonuses and salaries they have reaped as they let their businesses languish in 1950's thinking.

On cars, finger pointing

repuk a phobia, salt lake city — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:58:33 GMT

Gee, all those corporate guys who always vote rebiblican and spend the rest of their time screaming about socialism instead of paying attention to reality are now lining up at the public trough.

Hey, hypocrits, are you surprised the bushpukes aren't going to save you?

Why should we the people bail you out? You detroit blockheads had a wakeup call 35 years ago and didn't learn a damn thing.

And global warming and 4$ a gallon gas didn't wake you up, either (re: Wagoner, CEO of GM)!

Whenever I do something stupid like set my hair on fire to see what it feels like I'll just think of the US automakers and feel a lot better by comparison.

On cars, finger pointing

Barbara C. - Fort Lauderdale, FL — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:10:21 GMT

I have an idea. Mr Waggoner of GM Fame should send part of his $15 Million he makes a year to help the families that will lost their jobs...kinda like a really good severance pay until they get another job in this horrible Economy. Then, we give Mr. Waggoner his "bail out money" but only if he takes "One giant paycut for mankind."

On cars, finger pointing

Lyn, KCMO — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:13:17 GMT

I just watched a Senator ask the 3 CEO's why they all flew their own corporate jets to DC, rather than 1st Class on a commercial airline, or even Jet-pool?

Yup, these guys are all about fuel efficiency...

On cars, finger pointing

Allen, NYC — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:20:46 GMT

The only way I'd be O.K. with this happening is if the government added a few caveats into the deal. Like, for instance, lowering carbon emissions or making more hybrid electric cars. Of course, that would make a lot of oil companies very unhappy, but aren't they part of the problem in the first place?
It's time.

On cars, finger pointing

Buzz — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:25:27 GMT

Two observations:

1) I have only bought showroom-new cars three times in my life. A Ford, A Dodge Van and an Olds. All three were junk. Everything else has been used foreign, which have held up tremendously. Now, I don't think it was the UAW folks that were to blame, but the honches in the offices upstairs that figgured out how to stretch materials and proceses so they could make more money off each unit sold.

2) They want $25 billion? You mean, as in 'ONLY two and a half months of Iraq' ???

On cars, finger pointing

Judy, Fletcher nc — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:39:13 GMT

Everyone but the tax payers are getting bailouts and we are the ones paying all this money back.I t makes me sick we should of been able to vote on the $700 billion just like an election vote because of the fact that we are going to pay it back.

On cars, finger pointing

Kacy utech — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:34:30 GMT

I'm a transplanted Motown girl. I believe that we haven't a choice in the matter that we do have to help the auto industry. However, they shouldn't get a free ride. These companies , with an independent oversight committee, should have to overhaul their entire basis for payroll, to initiate incentives and stop greed at the expense of others. Pay for ALL should be based on the company's profits. That includes CEO benefits, bonuses, retirement as well as the manufacturing employees. This would force them to listen to consumers and better forecast these demands, and inturn invest in retooling accordingly. . Also ALL of the tax payers money should be paid back with an agreed upon interest rate.What do you think?