So the “Big Three” are looking for $25 billion from the tax payers to cover their losses, what a joke.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi met with top executives from the big three American auto makers yesterday to discuss the possibility of the fed coming across with a chunk of change to help the ailing American auto industry. The are of the mindset that if financial institution can get a handout, why can’t they?

Now, please don’t get me wrong here but, what the heck are they thinking? GM, Ford and Chrysler have been gouging the American public on auto prices for years. The primary reason of their high showroom prices is the payroll burden they have. This can be directly attributed the greed of the UAW and the spineless negotiators and corporate execs. The average autoworker’s pay rate, according to an article in the National Review, is about $26.00 per hour. Add benefits to that number and the full compensation package reaches a staggering $65 per hour.

With the economy in the tank and auto prices out of reach for the majority of Americans, GM has seen a 45% decrease in sales revenue this year. Just maybe, its time for auto workers to protect their jobs by making a few concessions before they find themselves in the unemployment lines. I know that if I found my job to be in jeopardy, I would rather take a cut in pay and benefits than be out of a job.

Fox News reported that GM has monthly operating expenses of $11 billion. Considering this and multiplying it by three, including Ford and Chrysler, a $25 billion helping hand would be so short term what difference would it really make? I say that the UAW, with their obligations to protect their members, needs to sit down and look at the contracts they have in place. If the UAW won’t come to the aid of these companies, why should we.

It’s not our responsibility to keep these companies profitable. It’s not our responsibility to make sure that their employees can continue to make the kind of money they make.

Every time I put on my uniform and head to work, I risk not coming home to my family and I do this for about half of what an auto worker makes. I have one nine year old vehicle that I share with my wife because I can’t afford a second. Would I like a second, a shiny new pick-up, you bet I would. And, even with the incentives that have been put in place by the manufacturers, the sticker prices are still out of reach. I’m not complaining that I don’t have that new truck because we do just fine.

My point is this. If you can’t afford to do business, close the doors. Yes, it will put people out of work but the doors are destined to reopen. When they do, maybe, just maybe the UAW will be no more or they will have seen the light and realize that negotiating for a reasonable wage would be more beneficial to the final price and increased sales of the product their members produce.

Say no to yet another bailout!

John Stone

TakingBackAmerica.org