In Support of the Big 3 Bailout

Because the "mainstream media" have centered solely on the CEOs of the Big 3, the true reason for supporting the bailout has been lost.

In Michigan there are (were?) thousands of people employed by GM, Ford and Chrysler. They DO NOT make $70 an hour. More like $22 an hour (unless they are Skilled Trades). The $70 figure includes benefits and retirement. Okay, so what? An average secretary makes her salary plus benefits as well. Most corporations pay benefits in addition to your base hourly salary. Why single out the auto workers?

If these companies go out of business, not only will the employees of the Big 3 lose their jobs. What about the "collateral damage" (to coin a military phrase)? Gas stations, grocery stores, schools, clothing stores, restaurants, bars, municipalities (you can't pay property taxes, etc. if you don't have an income), public transportation...get the picture? It is the "shit rolls down hill" principle of economics. If the wage earners aren't earning, they aren't spending.

The argument that Toyota and Honda are "American made" is crap. Yes, they have factories in the United States and employ Americans to build their vehicles. However, the profits go to Japan. Not to America.

Unions are not perfect. But, a lot of the anti-discrimination laws and fair employment acts that have been of great benefit to non-union and union workers for the past few decades would never have been passed into law had the unions not initiated the legislation many moons ago. Many of the rights that private sector employees enjoy were created through union efforts to force employers to provide safe, clean and discrimination free workplaces.

So, be angry at the CEOs...hate them, laugh at them, call for their resignations if you like. But don't ever lose sight of the real victim if the Big 3 go belly-up. It's that little label..."Made in the U.S.A."