Unions at work

In thinking about parts of my last post, I wanted to clarify one statement. I eluded to the fact that I believed the automakers were more deserving of a bailout than AIG or any of the various banks. Clarification is necessary as, I believe in capitalism. I believe in a free market system where businesses live and die as the market dictates. Thereby, I do not believe in bailouts. My reference in my previous post was, perhaps, sloppy in its wording.

I simply meant to express distrust in a group of people that say their utmost goal is to save the "little guy" when they are standing with open arms to the big banks. The failing auto makers on the other hand, affect a larger number of "little guys" in a very personal way. They have their problems no doubt. Again, I am not advocating giving them money. If they can't get the waste out of their system... so sorry, I did my part in supporting their business by purchasing a car... the rest is up to them.

Thousands of laid-off auto workers get paid $31 an hour to sit around and do nothing all year under a controversial program that could continue even if American taxpayers bail out the American auto industry.
The program, called "Jobs Banks," has been around for 24 years. Some of the employees at jobs banks choose to do community service, but others do crossword puzzles and watch TV all day -- or just stare at a wall. If you're a laid-off auto worker, it's what comes with your pink slip, thanks to a deal struck in 1984 between the United Auto Workers and the Big Three carmakers.

FOXNews, Maxim Lott, November 25th 2008

This is not a post about the role unions have played in shaping America's economy, but it's programs like this one that are ridiculous. This program, is part of the reason Congress is trying to turn a blind eye to the automakers request for assistance. They don't deserve a bailout anymore than Citigroup, or AIG, or Amtrack or any of the other companies we all own a small part of through our tax contributions.

Waste not, want not. Isn't that the saying? It's not as black and white as it seems of course. The more I research and learn, the more I find out how convoluted the whole of everything is. If the government forces a company's hand and that creates a bad siuation for the company... shouldn't the gov't take some of the blame as well? (i.e. "creative mortgage lending")

The example cited above with regard to the autoworkers, demonstrates how powerful unions can be and how government support of unions could ultimately damage a free market. I don't believe for a second that our government shouldn't take some responsibility for their role in creating waste for the those companies. But at the same time, I'm broke. Pelosi and Paulson gave all of my money to AIG, and to all the other companies on the other 400 pages of the Economic Rescue Plan. hahahahahahahahahahaha

Ultimately my friends, it's up to us. We are going to have to rise up and create it all over again. I know some of my friends feel like they have created a new government with Obama, but I'm not seeing it. I'll stand strong as an American; an American that believes in this country, it's citizens and their ability to hunker down and, well, git'r done.

http://politicalunderdog.blogspot.com