My company is Struggling, people are taking pay cuts, no bonuses … hell we are even not having a Christmas party just a lunch. Time to restructure a company is now … stop the kickbacks and the f’n advertising … start building a product that speaks for itself.

The union workers have a great job. I wish I could demand a raise now and again. However, it’s put their employers into a crisis (Again).

Let them fail. other companies are working on Solar/ plug in/ compressed air and hydrogen power cars. Even GM has some really great mileage cars that are not sold here. Why? Because they (and the govenment) have choosen not to produce or allow them to be brought over from elsewhere.

Anybody wanna buy an idea?

The volt was great press for a couple years. I wanted one. But price, looks, and promises aren’t enough. Plug in hybrids Toyota and honda will be here before this thing hits the road.

Oh and National Security is not enough reason to buy out three car companies. If we need Military Vechicals we can buy a couple plants and build them as we need them. (That’s what we did in WW2).

I drive two GM troublefree automobiles that I love. It has never been about the abiltiy to build cars, it is about the ability to run the business responsibly and with a clear vision of the future.

Not to despair, some American independents will rise from the ashes and re-create a uniquely American automobile; including an electric one that we will all love and drive.

GM’s decisions are responsible for their decline in market share, but this mess is far bigger than that. HALF of their business dried up over night. Worse yet, their ability to get a loan also dried up over night. This is a direct result of the decision by the federal lawmakers (that we elected) to legalize gambling in the financial markets, and those irresponsible, greedy cowards who exploited our economy.

What is being referred to as a bailout is simply a LOAN. This is the least the government who caused this situation can do.

Beyond that, the government needs to make the playing field level for domestic producers. Capitalism cannot thrive without competition, and competition cannot exist when foreign producers have so many advantages. We need to restructure our taxes, fix the health care cost crisis, and stop tolerating direct subsidies, intellectual property theft, barriers to imports, exploitation of labor and environment, and currency manipulation that are so rampant with our major trading partners in Asia and Europe. I’m not talking about protectionism here (because that will just make American industry weak and lazy), but I am advocating a fair chance to compete, where every competitor follows the same rules (or pays tariffs to equalize the differences) and everyone has an equal chance to succeed.

And by the way, Honda and Toyota do not “make” cars in the USA. They provide a few low-tech jobs doing final assembly of major sub-components that are designed and built (the best and most jobs) overseas. Those who claim so have probably read nothing beyond Toyota’s marketing pamphlets.

Now move the clock forward, GM hasn’t a clue what to do with the Hummer brand, they make a POINTLESS HYBRID SUV, that costs more than my home!! Then to make all of those new trucks, and other SUV’s is sickening.. Then we need the frosting for the cake, don’t we? How about a $103k+ Corvette!!!! Come on GM, the Camaro was a bad enough stretch, and now you want to produce the “ultimate vette”??? Seriously, you guys need to wake up!!!

I provide “pilot car” service, or in short follow mobile homes, and oversize loads. A few states mandate that we have this 10″x5′ sign on the ROOF of the escort vehicle. (with very little back angle, like 80*) That is bad enough, I was going to use the Volt for this reason, but I’ve pretty much changed my mind. The Volt warranty is good, but I’ll put 100k miles on it in 1.5 years. Also, I don’t know if GM would cover the batteries IF I was adding stress to the entire system. What if the $15k battery pack failed at 160k miles? I don’t havt that kind of money..

I’d like to see GM succeed, and the Volt become reality, just a matter of time before we find out..

Give the consumer what they want and they will buy it.

If the US Government bails out any one of them, I will never buy from them again. I have remained loyal through the junk they made and sold. But enough is enough.

I am offended by GM’s whining just like too so many US citizens are doing after making bad choices. Whatever happened to American values such as personal responsibility and accountability.

rad