House passes UAW bailout 237-170; showdown in the Senate

By Michelle Malkin  •  December 10, 2008 09:36 PM

Act I of Kabuki Auto Bailout Theater is over. The House tonight passed the UAW bailout bill 237-170, with 1 voting present and 26 not voting.

Here are the Republicans in the House who voted yes — 32 pro-bailout, anti-free market Republicans. Remember them:

Barton (TX)
Buyer
Camp (MI)
Capito
Castle
Ehlers
Emerson
English (PA)
Frelinghuysen
Hoekstra
Hunter
King (NY)
Knollenberg
LaHood
LaTourette
Lewis (KY)
Manzullo
McCotter
McCrery
McHugh
Miller (MI)
Murphy, Tim
Porter
Ramstad
Regula
Rogers (MI)
Ryan (WI)
Smith (NJ)
Souder
Upton
Walsh (NY)
Young (AK)

Rep. McCotter voted for massive government intervention to prop up failing industries. Hey, Rep. McCotter: How about revisiting all your high-minded rhetoric about returning to first principles. Ask yourself your own question: “Why is there a Republican Party?”

Republican Joe Barton’s rationale for supporting the bailout? Well, golly gee, we gave so many other industries massive bailouts, it wouldn’t be fair to say no to the carmakers. Crikey:

“It would be an absolute shame to force those companies into bankruptcy,” he said. “If we can give the AIG’s and the Wells Fargos and the JPMorgans of the world — each of those individual companies — between $40 and $45 billion,” then certainly the carmakers deserve a $15 billion bridge loan.

Here are the nays — 150 of them Republicans, 20 Democrats (full roll call vote is here):

Aderholt
Akin
Alexander
Bachmann
Bachus
Barrett (SC)
Bartlett (MD)
Biggert
Bilbray
Bilirakis
Bishop (UT)
Blackburn
Blunt
Boehner
Bonner
Bono Mack
Boozman
Boustany
Boyd (FL)
Brady (TX)
Broun (GA)
Brown (SC)
Brown-Waite, Ginny
Buchanan
Burgess
Burton (IN)
Butterfield
Calvert
Cannon
Cantor
Cardoza
Carter
Chabot
Childers
Coble
Cole (OK)
Conaway
Cooper
Crenshaw
Culberson
Davis (AL)
Davis (KY)
Davis, David
Deal (GA)
Dent
Diaz-Balart, L.
Diaz-Balart, M.
Drake
Dreier
Duncan
Fallin
Feeney
Ferguson
Filner
Flake
Forbes
Fortenberry
Fossella
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Gallegly
Garrett (NJ)
Gerlach
Giffords
Gingrey
Gohmert
Goode
Goodlatte
Granger
Graves
Hall (TX)
Hastings (WA)
Hayes
Heller
Hensarling
Herger
Herseth Sandlin
Hobson
Hulshof
Inglis (SC)
Issa
Johnson (IL)
Johnson, Sam
Jones (NC)
Jordan
Kagen
King (IA)
Kingston
Kirk
Kline (MN)
Lamborn
Latham
Latta
Lewis (CA)
Linder
LoBiondo
Lucas
Lungren, Daniel E.
Mack
Marchant
Marshall
Matheson
McCarthy (CA)
McCaul (TX)
McHenry
McIntyre
McKeon
McMorris Rodgers
Mica
Miller (FL)
Mitchell
Moran (KS)
Musgrave
Myrick
Neugebauer
Nunes
Paul
Pearce
Pence
Peterson (MN)
Petri
Pickering
Pitts
Platts
Poe
Price (GA)
Putnam
Radanovich
Rahall
Rehberg
Reichert
Reynolds
Rodriguez
Rogers (AL)
Rogers (KY)
Ros-Lehtinen
Roskam
Royce
Sali
Saxton
Scalise
Schmidt
Sessions
Shadegg
Shays
Shimkus
Shuler
Shuster
Simpson
Smith (NE)
Smith (TX)
Stark
Stearns
Sullivan
Terry
Thornberry
Tiahrt
Tiberi
Turner
Walden (OR)
Walz (MN)
Wamp
Weller
Westmoreland
Whitfield (KY)
Wilson (NM)
Wilson (SC)
Wittman (VA)
Wolf
Young (FL)

The good news? Those GOP mavericks in the Senate I’ve been telling you about are ready to rumble with both the Dems and the White House:

A $14 billion rescue package for the nation’s imperiled auto industry sped to approval in the U.S. House Wednesday night, but the emergency bailout was still in jeopardy from Republicans who were setting out roadblocks in the Senate.

Democrats and the Bush White House hoped for a Senate vote as early as Thursday and enactment by week’s end. They argued that the loans authorized by the measure were needed to stave off disaster for the auto industry — and a crushing further blow to the reeling national economy.

The legislation, approved 237-170 by the House, would provide money within days to cash-starved General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC. Ford Motor Co., which has said it has enough to stay afloat, would also be eligible for federal aid.

Republicans were preparing a strong fight against the aid plan in the Senate, not only taking on the Democrats but standing in open revolt against their party’s lame-duck president on the measure.

The Republicans want to force the companies into bankruptcy or mandate hefty concessions from autoworkers and creditors as a condition of any federal aid. They also oppose an environmental mandate that House Democrats insisted on including in the measure.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it represented “tough love” for U.S. auto companies, and “giving a chance — this one more chance — to this great industry.”

The White House, struggling to sell the package to congressional Republicans, said earlier that a carmaker bankruptcy could be fatal to the auto industry and have a devastating impact on workers, families and the economy.

“We believe the legislation developed in recent days is an effective and responsible approach to deal with troubled automakers and ensure the necessary restructuring occurs,” said Dana Perino, the White House press secretary.

Stop the bailout: Yes, we can!

Posted in: Subprime crisis

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Trackbacks

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Comments


  1. #1
    On December 10th, 2008 at 9:48 pm, Silkyinfamous said:

    I wish it was possible to stop the bailout, thought it wont happen. This is a shameful time in our government when both parties agree that the government should control major corporations. Socialism is here and it’s moving in quickly.

  2. #2
    On December 10th, 2008 at 9:49 pm, Fat Jolly Penguin said:

    I do not believe it. All three Utah representatives voted for it.

    I guess I should look on the bright side. Even if it doesn’t pass, this will be excellent ammunition to use against them in two years.

  3. #3
    On December 10th, 2008 at 9:50 pm, rightisright said:

    Sad to say, not really surprising, now our fate lies in the hands of the few real American legislators left. Dems mostly all bought and paid for…unions come to mind?

  4. #5
    On December 10th, 2008 at 9:57 pm, Silkyinfamous said:

    It’s amazing Chrysler is getting money when they are owned by a parent company with money!! Sometimes companies are meant to die, and government life support will only keep the trauma going to they really collapse. Bringing us all down at once instead of the company itself.

    Our Government couldn’t fix Wall Street which makes us think we can fix Detroit?

    Both mistakes and against the ideals this country was built on. To Succeed comes with the possibility of Failure. If no possibilties exist, why try?

  5. #6
    On December 10th, 2008 at 9:57 pm, Fat Jolly Penguin said:

    Hunter

    Omigawd. Not Duncan!

  6. #7
    On December 10th, 2008 at 9:58 pm, jjmurphy said:

    Emailed my two Senators, Dole and Burr, for all the good it will do.

  7. #8
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:00 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    Let the arm twisting begin!

  8. #9
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:06 pm, ctmom said:

    I thought McCotter was a good guy? And Pete King?

  9. #10
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:08 pm, cngerms said:

    Michelle & Others,

    Please look at HR 7309! We need to support Rep. Louie Gohmert’s bill authorizing a 60-day federal tax holiday for Jan and Feb 2009!!! His bill also revokes power given to Paulson. Gohmert is speaking on CSPAN now (10:08pm)

  10. #11
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:08 pm, Marie said:

    Stop gasbagging and send an email to your two senators to say no to bailout.

  11. #12
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:10 pm, JHSII said:

    I don’t know why anyone would be surprised – this is the House, after all. We knew it was going to pass there, it was just a matter of the margin.

    The Senate is where the real battle will be fought – if more than 5 Senators show leadership and not management.

  12. #13
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:12 pm, changer1701 said:

    Paul Ryan, too? I thought he was supposed to be a strong conservative? If he is as rumored a future GOP star, count me out. Fools…

  13. #14
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:12 pm, rightisright said:

    This great country sinks further and further into a 3rd world country everyday. Everyday I see what congress does, all I can do anymore is catch my chin before it hits the ground, then shaking my head asking, “what the hell happened to my country?”
    These representatives are unamerican, bottom line.

    Is it not getting closer to the 2nd American Revolution ?

  14. #15
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:17 pm, DerKrieger said:

    I said this before and I’ll say it again, Conservatives buy American brand cars, Liberals do not, At least not in the numbers Conservatives do. We need to organize a boycott of whoever takes the bailout money to ensure their only choice is bankruptcy. I love my Chevy Tahoe and it has 86k miles on it now but when I’m ready to replace it it won’t be another American branded car.

  15. #17
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:19 pm, DerKrieger said:

    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:08 pm, cngerms said:

    The Democrats will never, repeat never, allow Americans to not pay taxes. The fact that lower taxes increase revenues is immaterial to them. Their goal is to punish the successful, redistribute income to the less successful, and “equalize” all us working stiffs. This is about socialist ideology, not reality.

  16. #18
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:22 pm, Laree said:

    I hope the Senate can save the House Republicans. McCotter is being squeezed he doesn’t stand a chance with reelection in his district if he doesn’t vote yay for this bill, his constituents are desperate….should he resign? No wonder he was voting down the original bail out bill, he knew he was going to have to come begging for his district. The Country is already in Bail Out fatigue. Perhaps McCotter can do more good down the road but right now, I hope the Senate Republicans saves McCotter by filibuster. He can go back to his constituents, and campaign contributors, and say I did all I could. The wheat is going to get separated from the shaft. One thing is for sure a lot of elected officials are going to be earning their paychecks.

  17. #19
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:23 pm, Azygos said:

    Mr Franks voted against it. Thank you sir.

  18. #20
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:24 pm, Fat Jolly Penguin said:

    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:08 pm, Marie said:

    Stop gasbagging and send an email to your two senators to say no to bailout.

    Just did. Everyone else, here’s the site; search for your state in the top right, it’ll give you contact information for each of your Senators.

    Senator [Hatch/Bennett], just minutes ago, the House of Representatives passed the automakers’ bailout bill by a margin of 237-170. Even though Utah’s representatives put up a good fight along with a number of other Republicans, its passage was essentially a foregone conclusion.

    This means that the ball is now in your court, as the bill is on its way to a vote in the Senate. The result doesn’t have to be the same: Senators Shelby, DeMint, Ensign, Vitter, and Coburn are planning to “use every procedural tool possible to defeat [it]“. I strongly encourage you to add your support to this list.

    Much of the blame for the current state of near-failure of the American car companies is definitely on government and union policies, but the core of the problem is their utter inability to compete. For years, foreign car makers have exceeded domestic cars in quality and performance; the American car makers, I’m sad to say, did not attempt to compete on these fields when they had the opportunity.

    A free market does not guarantee anyone the “right” to success, only the possibility. Since the domestic car makers are unable to compete, they should either reorganize to become more efficient and competitive, or accept bankruptcy and start over again. The American taxpayers should not have to pay for their bad decisions.

    Thank you for your time, and I hope you will take my advice.

  19. #21
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:29 pm, Gianni said:

    My Representative voted against it, as expected. He’s one of the good guys.

  20. #22
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:29 pm, Wellsy said:

    I am glad my own Congressman, Rep. Mike Turner of Dayton, OH, voted against this further boondoggle. However, I am quite certain that liberal Sen. Sherrod Brown and Sen. “Weeping George” Voinovich will be at the front of the line to vote for this in the Senate.

    I am strongly concerned about the power this car czar is going to have, and how much direct sway a bureaucrat will have over supposedly private industries. All part of spreading that wealth around.

  21. #23
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:30 pm, allrsn said:

    DM R I N O’s we have to find a way to get these lefties out of office. The only purpose of this bail out is NOT corperate america but the UAW union. With out a uaw bailout the big 3 go into bankrupcy and the union will lose NOT all of AMERICA. The big 3 can come out in competion mode. We also need to get ‘daddy gov’ off their backs.

    These rino’s are promoting socialism, everything the Constitution
    stands against!

  22. #24
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:31 pm, Fat Jolly Penguin said:

    On December 10th, 2008 at 9:49 pm, Fat Jolly Penguin said:

    I do not believe it. All three Utah representatives voted for it.

    I guess I should look on the bright side. Even if it doesn’t pass, this will be excellent ammunition to use against them in two years.

    &^%*@^%$#.

    They voted against it. I was looking at the wrong list.

  23. #25
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:32 pm, cngerms said:

    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:19 pm, DerKrieger said:
    The Democrats will never, repeat never, allow Americans to not pay taxes. The fact that lower taxes increase revenues is immaterial to them. Their goal is to punish the successful, redistribute income to the less successful, and “equalize” all us working stiffs. This is about socialist ideology, not reality.

    I know where you’re coming from, DerKrieger, but word of this bill must get out, the pressure must rise, and the fight must strengthen and continue. Let the Dems take the hit for opposing it IMHO.

  24. #26
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:33 pm, Speakup said:

    Future vision.

  25. #27
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:39 pm, JHSII said:

    I doubt the results in this vote will have any effect in 2 years – remember that Murtha was re-elected despite everything he did against his own voters. :mad:

  26. #28
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:41 pm, hunter said:

    I’ll try it again, this is what I got when I tried to e-mail my outgoing senator from NE. He is going to vote, but he apparentlly does not want ony input:

    Dear Friends,

    Thank you for contacting me. My United States Senate term expires on January 3, 2009; therefore I would encourage you to contact Senator Ben Nelson or your Congressman. Their addresses and phone numbers are provided below:

    U.S. Senator Ben Nelson
    720 Hart Senate Office Building
    Washington, D.C. 20510
    (202) 224-6551
    http://bennelson.senate.gov

    1st District
    U.S. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry
    1535 Longworth House Office Building
    Washington, D.C. 20515
    (202) 225-4806
    http://fortenberry.house.gov

    2nd District
    U.S. Congressman Lee Terry
    2331 Rayburn House Office Building
    Washington, D.C. 20515
    (202) 225-4155
    http://leeterry.house.gov

    3rd District
    U.S. Congressman Adrian Smith
    503 Cannon House Office Building
    Washington, D.C. 20515
    (202) 225-6435
    http://adriansmith.house.gov

    My ‘Last Letter to Constituents’ is available here.

    Thank you.

    Sincerely,

    Chuck Hagel

    I hope this post was not too much, I would like people to see it!

  27. #29
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:41 pm, Durangodarlin said:

    Sadly, my rep, Emerson, is on the RINO list. I will be actively looking for a more conservative person to run against her in two years. I have had enough of this. She repeatedly crosses over to the other side, and takes great pride in doing so. I recently reminded her that when she reaches across the aisle, she pulls back a stump. Guess she is too busy patting herself on the back to notice there isn’t much left of her hand.

  28. #30
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:44 pm, bjc said:

    As Michelle has said, it is important to remember how each member in the House and Senate votes on this and how they voted on the original sin bailout back in September; Those Republicans that choose to join with the Democrats in the destruction of this country deserve zero support leading up to 2010 and beyond and we need to let the RNC know exactly that.

  29. #31
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:46 pm, hunter said:

    Wow, blocked twice.

    I’ll try one more time. I tried to e-mail my outgoing senator from NE, and he apparently is not interested in any input even though he will be voting on the bill. This is what his senate website says:

    Dear Friends,

    Thank you for contacting me. My United States Senate term expires on January 3, 2009; therefore I would encourage you to contact Senator Ben Nelson or your Congressman. Their addresses and phone numbers are provided below:

    I hope he has a good ride with “the one” before the eventual trip under the bus.

  30. #32
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:49 pm, atxcowgirl said:

    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:24 pm, Fat Jolly Penguin said: here’s the site;search for your state in the top right, it’ll give you contact information for each of your Senators.

    Um, I tried that and they were experiencing difficulties! I wonder why.

  31. #33
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:50 pm, hunter said:

    OK got through. To finish, the e-mail form for Hagel is not avalible. He is surely going to vote for this thing and if I do not have the opportunity to call his office during normal business hours, apparently I cannot contact him until the end of his term to let him know how I would like to see him vote.

  32. #34
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:51 pm, monotonousboy said:

    Duncan Hunter?!? REALLY?!?!!?!? Dood, WTF?! I thought he was a true conservative. Are there any conservatives left? Kevin McCarthy, my local Representative voted against, God Bless ‘em!

  33. #35
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:55 pm, rightisright said:

    emailed and called my senators, not that it will do any good. One the (republican) was defeated last month, campaigned on reaching across the aisle, he can see how far that got him, course it is awfully blue here in Orygun. The other Sen. is dark blue, I sent it off with “hope”.
    Also sent a scathing email to my rep. a dem, he was strongly against the Big bailout, guess the union has more influence with him than bankers do.
    I need good drugs, this is depressing to watch what is happening to our country.

  34. #36
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:57 pm, steveegg said:

    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:12 pm, changer1701 said:

    Paul Ryan, too? I thought he was supposed to be a strong conservative? If he is as rumored a future GOP star, count me out. Fools…

    The “was” is, sadly, right.

  35. #37
    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:59 pm, rightisright said:

    Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo…the 2 most conservative Republican pres. candidates…I don’t want to be too cynical, but I wonder why they voted for it…hmmm.

  36. #38
    On December 10th, 2008 at 11:01 pm, WernerP said:

    You see, what’s happening here is the same thing that’s been going on with “man-made global warming”. Some political group with a big ax to grind starts feeding “facts” to the media and certain groups, and before you know it, it’s “established science”.

    Same thing happening here. Bailing out failing and failed companies is now de rigueur. Can’t do without it. Plus, everyone repeats the new mantra: capitalism has failed; free market economy has failed, yaddayaddayadda.

    Capitalism has not failed. The economy has tanked. So what? The economy moves in cycles, and every now then, a low point will be hit. That doesn’t mean that Big Government is suddenly the right approach to everything — far from it, as a matter of fact.

    It’s just too bad that everyone, including those who should know better, have jumped on this bandwagon (at least with “man-made global warming”, more and more sensible heads prevail).

  37. #41
    On December 10th, 2008 at 11:20 pm, Jeff2161 said:

    Has anyone honestly considered two points here? Since Bankruptcy seems to get people so excited…
    1. Cost to taxpayers for assuming pension responsibilities?
    2. Cost to Medicare for assuming health care costs of all these retirees? Just asking…

  38. #43
    On December 10th, 2008 at 11:23 pm, Gianni said:

    On December 10th, 2008 at 10:59 pm, rightisright

    Tancredo didn’t vote… not sure where he was.

  39. #44
    On December 10th, 2008 at 11:24 pm, rightisright said:

    I apologize to Mr. T. Tancredo, I read it wrong, he did not vote…wheeew…still have some faith left..

  40. #46
    On December 10th, 2008 at 11:28 pm, Jeff2161 said:

    Has anyone considered the cost to taxpayers of bankruptcies? With the government having to take over pension payments? How about the extra hits to Medicare?

  41. #47
    On December 10th, 2008 at 11:32 pm, Jeff2161 said:

    What is the point of posting a comment if, it is not posted on line in a reasonable period of time?

  42. #48
    On December 10th, 2008 at 11:35 pm, smfoushee said:

    Barton is parsing words, his real reason to support the bill? The giant GM plant in his (and mine) hometown of Arlington, TX!

    I had hoped he would vote no like Kay Granger (Fort Worth’s representative).

  43. #49
    On December 10th, 2008 at 11:43 pm, Send_Me said:

    Duncan Hunter? That’s surprising.

  44. #51
    On December 11th, 2008 at 12:20 am, ChicagoRobb said:

    With some of the Republicans voting for the bill, it may be a case of local interests outweighing the national view. I know Don Manzullo has a huge plant in his district (Chrysler plant in Belvidere) and that may be the case with Paul Ryan (GM truck plant in Janesville). You may not agree with every vote of a Representative, but sometimes they have no choice.

  45. #53
    On December 11th, 2008 at 12:24 am, lowandslow said:

    That doesn’t match what’s being reported elsewhere. The house clerk is only reporting 10 Republicans voted yea, Duncan’s not one of them but McCotter is.

    http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll688.xml

  46. #54
    On December 11th, 2008 at 12:26 am, lowandslow said:

    On December 11th, 2008 at 12:20 am, ChicagoRobb

    The House clerk’s reporting Ryan voted no. I don’t think Michelle has the right info.

  47. #55
    On December 11th, 2008 at 12:42 am, lowandslow said:

    Two different bills.

    http://tinyurl.com/5fgqf2
    http://tinyurl.com/6l54vc

    Which is which?

  48. #56
    On December 11th, 2008 at 12:52 am, Gianni said:

    688 is voting on whether or not to consider the bill, 690 is the bill itself. Michelle has the correct one.

  49. #57
    On December 11th, 2008 at 1:09 am, chow said:

    well Todd Akin did not vote for it. Don’t live in his district anymore. Wish i did though. I cannot stand any POS named Carnahan.

  50. #58
    On December 11th, 2008 at 1:48 am, love2rumba said:

    Omigawd. Not Duncan!

    It appears that Duncan Hunter is more RINO and a supporter of McCain than he is conservative.

  51. #59
    On December 11th, 2008 at 1:49 am, vatodio said:

    I believe that scoundrels in washington have gone completely insane.

    The only solution these idiots know for any problem is to throw more money at the problem: be it Wall Street, Automakers, Public Schools, and so on.

    Last year GM sold as many cars as Toyota (9.37 millions each).
    Toyota made Billions while GM lost Billions.

    GM’s problem is that it costs thousands more for to build a car compared to Toyota.
    Engineering and material costs for both Toyota and GM are almost comparable.

    So why does it cost more for GM to build a car vs Toyota?
    Can anyone say lopsided agreements with UAW and unsustainable legacy costs!

    The other problem facing the big three is the credit crunch. Consumers are already burdebed with huge personal debt and many are facing the foreclosures. Many can not qualify for the car loans or leases.

    If we allow the loosening of the credit standards so the big three can sell more cars, there is no surity that the car shopper will show up at GM dealership.
    Because of the bad reputation GM carries, the car shopper may go buy a Toyota after all.

    GM will continue to loose market share.
    Any bailout money would sustain GM for few more months before its natural demise.
    Hence, the bailout money down the drain.

    Additionally, we have over burdned Mr. consumer with fresh load of debt, thereby accelarating his or her own financial ruins.

    How is this good for the economy or nation?

  52. #62
    On December 11th, 2008 at 4:47 am, secondsight said:

    Here’s the dirty ’secret’ why the car companies are cash strapped: They have been forcing would-be purchasers to accept crummy loans from their credit arms with terms like seven or eight percent for well-qualified buyers, people who could buy a new car outright.

    In short, they have been chasing their buyers into next year.

    Now you see why they would do that.

  53. #63
    On December 11th, 2008 at 5:04 am, graysonret said:

    A government unchecked will always seek more power. It’s a natural direction for it and, this government has been unchecked for years. Expect more of the same, in the near future, as it tries to control more of business and rationalizes that capitalism is a flaw in economics. In this information age, it’s a shame that the public have been dumb-downed so much, that they think socialism is the answer to every problem, and the New Deal of the 30s was a huge success. More investors will withhold their money, unsure of what will happen to businesses. Companies will have to let go employees to stay afloat as the government regulates more of what they can do and sell. Credit is already drying up. Once again, we’re back to a new FDR…a rookie President with his party controlling all aspects of the government, with failing banks and businesses and double-digit unemployment; and the American people conned.

  54. #64
    On December 11th, 2008 at 6:55 am, conservativesRus said:

    I’m still against bailing out the auto industry but there is more logical rationale behind bailing out autos vs. bailing out banking. The auto industry HAD/HAS to comply with far more government mandates (CAFE, emissions, zero tort reform, and union “protection” are some that come to mind) than banking ever has had.
    If gov’t would get their mitts out of telling car makers how to make cars, how to treat their employees, how to make sure lawyers are well compensated, etc., I’m pretty confident the big three (wee three) would be in far better shape. Once again, gov’t has created a mess.

  55. #65
    On December 11th, 2008 at 7:00 am, conservativesRus said:

    On December 11th, 2008 at 4:47 am, secondsight said:

    Huh – ?forcing? – I’m not sure how they can “force” a buyer with cash to take a loan. I know they do everything in their power to talk you into taking their loan (as they make more money that way) but if you want to pay cash, I’ve never met a dealer who would just walk away from a deal because you wouldn’t take their loan.

  56. #66
    On December 11th, 2008 at 7:56 am, nlebou said:

    I don’t need to call my senator. He said in public that this is “ass backwards”. Gotta love David Vitter.

  57. #67
    On December 11th, 2008 at 8:06 am, MarcoPolo said:

    I live in Michigan. There’s no point in me typing anything.

  58. #68
    On December 11th, 2008 at 8:09 am, Socky said:

    I have no beef with the Big Three. Their product line, at this time, is just as good as the Japanese or German counterparts.

    But the UAW can burn in hell for all I care. If a man in a UAW jacket were on fire, I wouldn’t cross the street to whizz on him.

    Well, maybe I would, but I wouldn’t aim carefully.

  59. #69
    On December 11th, 2008 at 8:23 am, FilmLadd said:

    On December 10th, 2008 at 11:28 pm, Jeff2161 said:

    Has anyone considered the cost to taxpayers of bankruptcies? With the government having to take over pension payments? How about the extra hits to Medicare?

    Okay, let’s deal with one thing at a time. All three of these costs you mention are ALSO collectivist evils that no free person should be obligated to pay for. I do not owe the car companies, their bankruptcy proceedings, their medicare, and their pensioners a DAMNED thing. I don’t even owe the “economy” a damned thing!

    You can’t justify adding ANOTHER evil because there are three others.

    And anyway, those costs are NOTHING compared to the costs in freedom that a socialized manufacturing industry would bring!

    Sort of like saying, he’s got a bad hairdo, and he MIGHT develop dandruff. So let’s scalp him!

  60. #72
    On December 11th, 2008 at 8:41 am, Dave from Flint said:

    On December 10th, 2008 at 11:20 pm, Jeff2161 said:

    Has anyone honestly considered two points here? Since Bankruptcy seems to get people so excited…
    1. Cost to taxpayers for assuming pension responsibilities?
    2. Cost to Medicare for assuming health care costs of all these retirees? Just asking…

    3. Loss of tax revenue when everyone & everything connected to the big 3 is unemployed?
    4. Cost of increased load on the welfare system?
    5. Cost of massive increase in individual bankruptcies as the unemployed dump their debt?

  61. #73
    On December 11th, 2008 at 8:45 am, conservativesRus said:

    On December 11th, 2008 at 8:23 am, FilmLadd said:

    very well said.
    However – with that said – we do owe the auto companies the right to a free market as well. We can’t keep burdening them with CAFE, emissions etc and then tell them it’s a free market.

  62. #74
    On December 11th, 2008 at 8:50 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    Remember them

  63. #75
    On December 11th, 2008 at 8:56 am, Misscheryl said:

    I see that ours from Oklahoma voted no – good!

  64. #76
    On December 11th, 2008 at 9:22 am, jtisdel said:

    I just tried to send a message to Congressman Barton (TX), but his site has an error. Heh.

  65. #77
    On December 11th, 2008 at 9:36 am, Misscheryl said:

    I think the union workers are surprised re: the general sentiments people across the country have for them. My husband visited a Michigan message board yesterday (he’s from there) for the first time in 2 years. Apparently, at least on this particular board, they hate those from the south because we’ve taken the steps to eliminate unions here, even so, they believe we should ensure that they get all their benefits by using our tax dollars and that just doesn’t make any sense. Union workers are using the same mentality they do on their employer with the general public and these are the same people that keeping voting democrat and putting Grandholm and the others in office. I personally have never liked Unions. Many years ago, I worked for a unionized company and I was appalled by the attitude and the atmosphere which existed. I’m surprised anything got done. I didn’t see the union as being in my corner at all. Not in the least. They had their hands in my pocket just like anybody else.

  66. #78
    On December 11th, 2008 at 9:50 am, sonofdy said:

    I can’t help it, those list just reminded me of the begats.

    Anyway, this whole thing is a farse because even if it doesn’t pass, 100 times that much money has ALREADY been spent on bailouts and nothing in the bill limits this to 14 billion. We are already a facist government by the classic sense of the word (government owning the banking industry). Almost nobody sees the real danger this country is in.

  67. #79
    On December 11th, 2008 at 9:53 am, sonofdy said:

    Dave from Flint

    Perhaps the unions should allow the workers in the big 3 to be paid what the imported car palnts pay thier workers, $48 an hour vs $78 an hour in detroit??? Its still twice the national average.

  68. #80
    On December 11th, 2008 at 9:55 am, sonofdy said:

    Oh and bankruptcy means chapter 11 bankruptcy where the debts are reorganized. Which is what the bail out means anyway except of course under chapter 11 the UNION gets screwed.

  69. #81
    On December 11th, 2008 at 10:08 am, franksalterego said:

    “Who” elected the pigs, who thought it’d be a good idea to meddle in the business of banks?… Forcing them to make unwise loans, in the interest of “fairness.”

    And now, with the banks, AND the auto industry, in trouble with a shortage of cash, due to this “fairness doctrine” the electorate is all up in arms about loaning the banks and the auto industry any money to help them out of their financial difficulties.

    And, look who’s leading the charge, to cut Republicans off at the knees… As if, they were responsible.

    Mebbe’ Our Little Blogger should look a little deeper, before she scribbles her “outrage”

  70. #83
    On December 11th, 2008 at 10:13 am, Dave from Flint said:

    On December 11th, 2008 at 9:53 am, sonofdy said:

    Dave from Flint

    Perhaps the unions should allow the workers in the big 3 to be paid what the imported car palnts pay thier workers, $48 an hour vs $78 an hour in detroit??? Its still twice the national average.

    When I retired in 05 after 40 years as a skilled tradesman, my hourly rate was $30.01 per hour. I have never seen any breakdown of how my benefits amounted to $48.00 per hour.

  71. #84
    On December 11th, 2008 at 10:18 am, alamedaman said:

    wow Pete Stark has shocked me. he opposed the first crap sandwich, now this one? I guess maybe the far left and constitutionalists like myself have something small in common…

  72. #85
    On December 11th, 2008 at 10:26 am, pueblo1032 said:

    I was half listening to a program yesterday, when this TID-BIT caught my attention… I believe the year was 2007, maybe 2006… GM and TOYOTA sold the same amount of cars, worldwide, GM lost 39 BILLION DOLLARS, TOYOTA made 17 BILLION DOLLARS… Surely this info must have gotten to someone in WASHINGTON… I have never been a fan of FOREIGN AUTO COMPANIES, but INFO like this does not bode well with me… It seems to me, a total backer of the US AUTO BUSINESS, that maybe, just maybe the way to go with COMPANIES that are so mismanaged, is to fire the entire management team, and let them slug it out in BANKRUPTCY COURT…

  73. #86
    On December 11th, 2008 at 10:30 am, JHSII said:

    My Congressman, Dan Burton, voted against. I knew there was a reason I liked him.
    As I said before though, the House bill was almost guaranteed to pass. The only way to stop this monstrosity was/is in the Senate. Sadly, this will be the only way to stop anything over at least the next 2 years.

  74. #87
    On December 11th, 2008 at 10:30 am, Misscheryl said:

    I have called my senators and told them how proud I am and to keep fighting!

  75. #88
    On December 11th, 2008 at 10:32 am, rocketman said:

    I think this will be the LAST HURRAH for conservatives in congress–the next congress will pass this “crapsandwich” without any problems–too many RINO’s and liberals out there.
    ***
    Economics 101 doesn’t seem to be understood anymore. Why reward the Big 3 automakers for doing inferior work and design compared to the other 2 (mostly) American auto makers–Toyota and Honda.
    They did the job properly and get nothing–they see their competitors rewarded instead.
    ***
    I don’t buy American cars anymore due to their lower fuel mileage, higher breakdown and failure rates, and less “peppy” running engines. My cars all last over 250,000 miles with minimum problems–which I usually fix in my driveway. No engine or transmission failures, and very few air conditioning problems. They are much higher quality vehicles–I buy the best I can afford–regardless of manufacturer. Ditto on picking my wife–the best available–regardless of the country of origin! (Mexico).
    ***
    It must really suck to be an American auto engineer and hear my management explain why we can’t afford to have better engines, transmissions, etc.
    ***
    John Bibb

  76. #89
    On December 11th, 2008 at 10:36 am, Misscheryl said:

    It must really suck to be an American auto engineer and hear my management explain why we can’t afford to have better engines, transmissions, etc.

    because they are too busy resurrecting a dinasour (the camaro) and worrying about how “cool” the interior is.

  77. #90
    On December 11th, 2008 at 10:38 am, Jeff2161 said:

    Quite a few people seem to believe the figure of $73-77 dollars per hour. The breakdown which has been explained by GM was used to show the high pay of current workers. Problem is, the number includes all the retirees pensions divided by total number of current workers. GM has been producing cars here for a LONG time and has many more retirees than current workers.Actual pay difference is MUCH lower.Around 52 versus 45 for Foreign owned plants.

  78. #91
    On December 11th, 2008 at 10:40 am, cheapseat said:

    this am on sqwack box som official from ohio was crying that if the gov didn’t bailout the big three, we would be in a depression, maybe the end of the world? but then the clown started the rallying cry to bail out city and state governments so they can continue their bloated beaurocracies without feeling any stress. you taxpayers, we’re stealing your money for your own good, can’t you see all the wonderful things we are doing for you. imagine life if there were no license plates, or personal property taxes, or bankrupt medicaid/medicare/social security/workers comp. imagine no epa, what would the snail darders do? imagine no tva, or rural electrification dept, or dept of agriculture to squander your money insuring that a gallon of milk costs 3 times a gallon of gasoline. THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS YOU TO BE PATRIOTIC, AND LET US TAKE MORE THAN EVER TO GROW MORE THAN EVER, LIKE FIXING BRIDGES SO THEY DON’T COLLAPSE, OR SPENDING MORE TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN LESS, OR …

  79. #92
    On December 11th, 2008 at 10:40 am, Jeff2161 said:

    Kind of like saying your income should be figured by adding ALL the people on Social Security and adding it into your pay rate.

  80. #93
    On December 11th, 2008 at 10:42 am, franksalterego said:

    because they are too busy resurrecting a dinasour (the camaro) and worrying about how “cool” the interior is.

    You Madam, are denigrating my proudest possession.

  81. #94
    On December 11th, 2008 at 10:43 am, Misscheryl said:

    Sorry Frank

  82. #95
    On December 11th, 2008 at 10:49 am, franksalterego said:

    The “Dinosaur” excepts your apology.

  83. #97
    On December 11th, 2008 at 10:50 am, franksalterego said:

    …Or, accepts… As the case may be.

  84. #99
    On December 11th, 2008 at 10:55 am, Misscheryl said:

    Frank – waaayyyy cool car. I pictured it being yellow though..like maybe 1970 Z28 yellow

  85. #100
    On December 11th, 2008 at 11:00 am, franksalterego said:

    If I wanted a car, that looked like a taxi, I would’ve bought a Checker.

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