Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

BamaBoy — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:58:41 GMT

Nancy scares me...

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

Michael Moore, Flint MI — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:58:51 GMT

What are these little mind-games Pelosi is trying to pull? Everyone knows that she and Reid can't wait to funnel the billions to the car makers for 1) To buy off the Michigan and Ohio voters and 2) pay off the UAW. The carmakers are so inept though, they just can't grovel well enough so Nancy and Harry can grease the skids for the big taxpayer payoff.

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

Kathy in Lake Forest, California — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:59:29 GMT

Show some guts, Pelosi. Say "no" to the Big 3. Say "no" to high union wages, killing the auto industry. Say "no" to giving into outrageous demands by a business run badly. Or say "yes" to every other business that is going under, no matter the circumstances.

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

Broke Taxpayer — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:03:07 GMT

Pelsoi: "We want it in writing. What is it that they want [the federal funds] for? We stand open to be helpful."

Here's something in writing for you Nancy. We the taxpayers are tired of you spending our money on bail outs for rich corporations. We're on the hook for that money, and we don't want to have to pay anymore. I certainly hope you are able to "stand open to be helpful" to the ones paying the freight.

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

RGSmith Logansport In. — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:03:55 GMT

Come on BIG THREE get your head out of your @ss and join the rest of us in the real world. Corporate jets???? COME ON!!!!! If you have lost your innovation and desire to be creative then you deserve to sleep in the bed that you have made for yourself.

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

Ron Indiana — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:04:22 GMT

I know many do not like Nancy and Harry, but they really are doing the right thing. Asking for a plan is so simple and reasonable. Yesterday I commented that the Big 3 are not all the same. GM has lousy management and a lousy product, Chrysler is small and could easily be bought out. Ford has some awareness about quality.

It seems to me that, depending on the plan, this opens the door for the House to fund one or two, but not necessarily all three. If GM has a lousy plan, they get no money. If Ford has a great plan, give them a bridge loan.

With the Paulson bait and switch technique used in the banking industry, Congress should be weary of giving money without a plan.

Please Chuck Todd, answer the following questions. Does anyone at FR read our comments? Are they ever passed on to people like Joe Scarbrough, Pat Buchanan, Chris Matthews? For instance, many of us like David Schuster. Does he get our feedback? Please answer.

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

Cal Nygen, San Jose CA — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:04:51 GMT

FR >> [Pelosi] Asked if the text specifically mentions the bad publicity earned by CEOs who traveled to Washington in corporate jets to register their complaints about impending financial doom, Pelosi merely smiled, saying that the critique in their directive to automakers is there "by implication." <<

This woman is nuts.

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:06:02 GMT

Right on Nancy.

If a person walked into a bank and asked for a small business loan the bank would require that person to submit some kind of business plan. The same should apply to the auto makers. How are they going to spend the money. How do they intend to make a profit and when and how do they plan to pay the loan back (and at what interst rate). And how will the business be structured in order that it can continue to be profitable in their five year and ten year forcasts. Unless the auto makers can submit such details we the American taxpayers (the bank managers) will regretfully have to deny their request for a loan.

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

BJ Sanders — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:06:27 GMT

So Pelosi is explaining to the US automaker execs how to beg properly to her?

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

Eric, Salinas, CA — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:08:15 GMT

Nancy Pelosi needs to go for the National Security angle in promoting the auto industry bailout. Not only do we need to keep millions of people employed and a million retirees covered for health and retirement but we need to remember the big National Security help the auto industry was in WW2! It was the auto industry that cranked out tens of thousands of tanks, halftracks, trucks and jeeps that helped us win the ground war in Europe and in the Pacific. If we ever have a future largescale ground conflict with say China or Russia we will need our own auto industry to crank out the tanks, APC's, trucks and Humvees that will help us prevail in the future. Our auto industry is a National Security treasure that must be kept viable and in our own hands.

"Hey Al, it's November and 18 degrees here in the midwest ... that's January weather.
So much for your global warming crap." Penny Lane

Hey Penny - It was 87 degrees here in Salinas CA last weekend in the middle of November and this week has been far warmer than normal! So much for your whining about global warming crap. I'd offer a penny for your clueless thoughts but that would be way overpriced!

Hey Reality Bites - I am lucky enough to live in the land of Stunningly Beautiful Calfornia Girls so the Wasilla Gorilla just doesn't excite me because I see so many women that excite me daily. While there are plenty of stunningly beautiful women around the country and world the Alaskan Painted Strumpet has never been nor will ever be one of them.

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

eagle1776 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:15:02 GMT

Hey, Nancy, while you're at it make the financial industry guys do the same thing. Cut them off at the knees if they don't by the end of the year.

It is our money and we have a right to see what is being done with it. Hold them accountable. Get weekly, monthly and quarterly reports on what they are doing and how they are paying us back. Nothing less will do.

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

jesse St.Paul Minnesota — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:16:06 GMT

My problem with Polosi's request is this,why the big three have to show there improvement plan while the freeloaders on wall street hide behind laws written in the 1800's.While there was plenty of warnings about the lending practice from all 50 attorney generals,and even a few retired A.G's.What kind of improvement plan did they submit?I think giving 700 billion to people that hide behind Bush's skirt.At least the auto exec's have a face not the banking exec's.I'm not one that thinks people should be rewarded when they fail.Who has a handle on the partying that AIG has been doing on our dime?

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

Sam K, Benson, Ohio — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:20:50 GMT

Nancy P.: "Their viability is not just about belt-tightening," she said of American manufacturers under fire for their sluggish efforts to advance auto technology. "It's about a decision to compete and innovate."

Why not just have the government take over the auto industry, just like it has the banks, health care and the like? The smartest people we have are in government, I trust them to make the best decisions for the American people.

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

Rock,Janesville,Wisconsin — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:21:25 GMT

Over the last 8 years of economic greed. Promoted by the GOP at the legislative level. Well, the GOP party of political protection, to cover-up Wall Street greed, is over. The philosophy of "do it yourself," as long as, the middle class is picking up the "do it yourselfer's" tab. Those economically destructive days will be coming to an end. That is right CEO's of American greed, now you will be made financially accountable. So before you CEO's come to Washington again. Make sure you have thought out things carefully, and have written them down. You greed buggers have a lot of work to do!!

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

Beverly in Chicago — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:26:08 GMT

Nancy Pelosi had asked for those concessions before the big 3 execs flew in their private jets. So can we play cards now? Big 3 execs, you would win; if you give up more to the people who keep you luxuriating.
================================================
Chuck in NY
I hope you have not problems moving; and nothing gets lost or broken.
==============================================
Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, November 21, 2008 9:54 AM)
I am so laughing that after that Mourning Jerky Joe whined at him it's David who's getting the last laugh as he gets more air time than that lame buffoon who brings dishonor to MSNBC tv in the morning.
Morning Joke will have a very good reason to whine. If we keep complaining, maybe, just maybe, management will listen. The instead of a couple seconds Morning Joke will get an eternal delay; Ha! As Chris exclaims.

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

Ed, San Antonio — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:28:44 GMT

I've got a plan for the big 3.

Stop pushing thousands vehicles out every year when you still have the previous models on the lot. Every year the price goes up by thousands of dollars, with little or no difference in the vehicle or it's performance!

Let me know when the 50% off, going out of business sale begins!

Love my old CHEVY!

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

CONSUMER REPORTS TELLS WHY "BIG 3" CAN'T COMPETE ! — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:43:22 GMT

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

… THE DETROIT “BIG 3″ CANNOT SUCCEED ……

THE 2009 ‘CONSUMER REPORTS’ BUYING GUIDE TELLS WHY!

CONSUMER REPORTS “RANKED” USED CARS FOR MODEL YEARS 1998 THRU 2007.

1.) “BEST-OF-THE-BEST” LIST OF 63 MODELS — THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY
WERE FOREIGN BUILT AUTOMOBILES !

2.) “WORST-OF-THE-WORST” LIST OF 38 MODELS — THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY
WERE AUTOMOBILES BUILT BY DETROIT !

DETROIT AUTOMAKERS CANNOT COMPETE — BECAUSE OF GREEDY UNIONS &
POOR QUALITY & OVERPRICED CARS.

THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DETROIT’S BIG 3 HAVE RAPED THEIR COMPANY’S WITH
EXCESSIVE PERKS AND OUTRAGEOUS BONUSES & SALARIES.
THEY ALL NEED TO BE FIRED.

THE BIG 3 SHOULD TO MERGE INTO “TWO” QUALITY & PRICE CONSCIOUS COMPANIES.
ANYTHING ELSE IS THROWING OUR TAXPAYERS MONEY AWAY AND WILL CONTINUE …
.
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

Doug, Cleveland Ohio — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:52:58 GMT

The burn rate of the Big Three is $5 billion a month. A $25 billion dollar bailout will last them until April/09. $50 billion - September/09.

But Nancy P. wants a plan. Here's a plan Nancy. The Big Three fires all their executives, sends the UAW packing, defaults on their pension obligations, hires non-union workers, and then they start making cars people want and not the kind the government is forcing them to make, and when they become profitable, they pay back the American people.

There's a plan. Somehow though, I don't think that will happen.

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

Rick in Illinois — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:57:49 GMT

How about a few facts about the auto industry in this country. When Richard Shelby called the big 3 dinasours and alluded to the success of foriegn transplants in his state, he failed to mention the huge subsidies given to these companies to build their plants there. From property to training to even subsidizing wages for their workers at the expense of Alabama tax payers. Nor does he mention subsidies given to foriegn auto makers by their governments. He also fails to mention Japan devalued the yen over the last 7 years with encouragement form out own government to rebuild their economy. Thus, gaining a competetive advantage through government intervention.

By the way, the vehicles built by foriegn automakers in Alabama are big gas guzzling SUV. Mercedes M class, Honda Pilot plus big V8 engines for Toyota trucks.

The economic situation the big 3 are in now is some of their own making, but they've had plenty of help from Washinton getting there.

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:58:11 GMT

How is this unreasonable for the people asking for a loan to present a plan on how they are going to spend it. I wouldn't want my money to fund some bonus for an executive who isn't doing much. If it goes to reducing the amount of stupid SUVs that are made and helps make fuel efficient sedans.

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

TEC-Spring-TX — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:17:26 GMT

Funny thing is that when gas was between 1.29 and 1.99 they could not sell enough big SUV. Even Toy-oyta and Honda had to build big gas guzzling autos. When gas went to four dollars a gallon, no one was selling gas-guzzling autos. The big three gave Americans what they wanted, when we could afford the gas. We would still buy gas-guzzlers if we afford the gas. The quality of GM and Ford has improved. Just check consumer reports. Also, check the news from the Los Angeles Auto Show. I have never heard so many people make misleading statements about the quality of American products. I guess we should aspire to build quality products like the Chinese. After all that is were Toyota and Honda parts are made.

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

Kelly (from Pittsburgh) — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:28:50 GMT

Pelosi and Reed are just trying to gibe the Big 3 another chance to get it right. Of Course they want to extend the loan. We should extend the loan. And although the Auto Industry is being unfairly treated in comparison with the Banking Industry, I can only hope that more hoops fro them to jump through can make the loan acceptable to the American people. If only they can hold on until Obama gets into power, then he will be able to do the right thing regardless of how misinformed Americans think about it.

This baliout issue is not unlike the offshore drilling issue or the gay marriage issue. Just because the Majority of Americans feel a certain way about something, doesn't make it right. At one time slavery was popular too. These corps must not fail. The GOP wants them to so they can get even more concessions from the Unions and shed their Pension obligations. I hate to break it to the naysayers out there, but we the people will still end up picking up the tab if these corps go under or into chapter 11. We will have to pay more unemployment benefits, the reduced pension payments will come from Government program, and their retirees will futher stretch the Medicare system. And then if these corps do reemerge, they'll make huge profits for their new rich investors, and it will be the workers, retirees, taxpayers, and previous investors (think everage joe 401ks and auto workers) who have completely gotten the shaft.

But the American people are outraged because they've already payed enormously to prop up the poorly run banks, so they can't offer a little loan to the backbone of American manufacturing and blue collar job provider. Yes, the Big 3 hasn't made the best decisions. But alot of this wa out of their control. They didn't know that Oil was suddenly shoot through the roof (thank Bush policies for that) at the same time that financial meltdown would occur. Americans wanted to buy those big cars a year and a half ago. Many still do, but loans aren't available. Come on people. Wake up! Can't you see you are being duped once again by the pro-business investor class (GOP). They have be trying to get the Big 3 into bankruptcy for years. They've cause this economic crisis and now they want the financial help for themselves only. So they can skim some more from the taxpayer, but they say we have nothing for American workers (just because they are unionized). These workers have made many concessions. They can't conceed away the promises that the companies long ago made to retirees. The future welfare of several states are involved. But somehow we are supposed to believe that JP Morgan was that much more important.

This is the bailout we really need. Just like the bailout for Airlines after 9/11. The auto industry is suffering a similar fate and is just as important to our future as a nation. So instead of begrudging the union worker because he makes so much more than your job at Walmart. Aspire to become represented and be fairly paid as well. If not through the union, they Dems are going to deliver with continued hikes in Minimum wage and affordable Healthcare. But first we need to invest to get the Economy back on track.

PS. Buy American

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

R.Merrell — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:40:23 GMT

So many right wingers, Fox Noise syncophants, Mitt Romney and his ilk are always first in line to criticize labor and labor contracts for the current dilemma in the U.S. auto industry yet nary a word about the failed leadership provided by the CEO's of the Big 3. Their outrageous compensation is rarely, if ever questioned. They've done a horrible job creating and approving automobiles, trucks and bloated SUVs which few people need nor want. Yet here's the story on the head of Ford:

According to a regulatory filing, Ford’s Alan Mulally took in a total compensation last year of $22.8 million including $752,203 for his personal use of the company's jet, as well as personal use of the jet by his wife, children and guests "to ease the burden of Mr. Mulally moving to Southeast Michigan and away from his family in Seattle."

Blaming labor is always fashionable. It's the GOP's stock and trade. Speaker Pelosi is absolutely right. These trolls running the auto companies are directly responsible for their products. That's supposedly the reason for their ridiculous compensation. But they've failed miserably and no amount of finger pointing at labor can change the fact that under their leadership, they've devastated a significant U.S. industry. They should be run out of town in one of their Hummers. Or maybe a Pontiac Aztec.

Pelosi to automakers: Bring it in writing

Indie Woman in Denver — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:45:00 GMT

What a novel idea, the BIG 3 don't sink or swim together. He who comes up with a solid plan gets money, the other(s) lose out. And we extend this same requirement for a plan to others, AIG at the very least. Those guys should be forced to pay back the money they squandered for luxury retreats.