Wednesday, November 19, 2008

heh

So y'all might've heard, but the auto industry is looking for some of that sweet, sweet bailout money. Some of the quotes from this article on The Consumerist made me laugh out loud at MEA. It's a wonder they didn't give me a crazy shot.

ABCNews says that the big three auto CEOs "flew to the nation's capital yesterday in private luxurious jets to make their case to Washington that the auto industry is running out of cash and needs $25 billion in taxpayer money to avoid bankruptcy." ... Just because your company is on the verge of bankruptcy— well, that's no reason not to arrive in style. Right?
Later in the article, they say that the flight cost about $20,000, whereas a first class ticket on Northwest would've been around $800. The rest of us are asked to tighten our belt straps to get through this sagging economy, these people fly in style. It's like spitting in our faces.

11 comments:

Susan said...

Don't get me started. I was watching part of the live coverage of the meetings last night and more or less screaming at the TV. The worst part is all the average employees who will suffer do to stupidity and mismanagement. But that does seem to be the corporate American way!

black betty said...

bastids!!!!

Dr. Wifey said...

if they made a car worth a shit i might be for it

Sharon said...

I'll venture to say that's why we drive a Honda, and don't plan on buying Ford, GM, or other any time soon. (like ever)

Jen said...

That pisses me off to no ends...The frivilous spending of these corporate CEOs and such should BE ILLEGAL!

watercolordaisy said...

They are required to by their company rules.

Not that I think it is right, because I don't one bit, but it is what they are required to do by the Board of Directors and the company rules.

Ford actually is very highly rated with Honda and Toyota by Consumer Reports. And Ford was there to say they don't need any bailout cash but that if the others fail and take the support industry with them, it will take out the companies that ARE stable.

Sandi said...

Our emission and fuel efficiency standards are horrible in this country. If they'd spend that mad cash lobbying Congress for laws demanding more fuel efficient cars, we would all be better off. As is, the cars made in America can't be sold in places like Japan, where standards are higher.

Better laws = cleaner air = broader market for the automakers = more jobs for Americans

Rhonda said...

You and me will be paying for all those folks that bought houses they couldn't afford and likely for the fat cats in the auto industry. Nice.

Meanwhile I'm shopping at Goodwill and telling my daughter I can't pay for her to go to her high schools winter formal. Gotta love everyone having the nerve to be begging for a bailout and arriving in style. Hypocrisy in its truest form!

Katy said...

I'm wondering where the sign-up sheet is bail-outs because my son has mad medical bills. Anyone?!?

Seriously, hubs and I both drive American cars and we like them very much. We drive them because they are cheaper to own and repair, though.

Susan said...

WC - you're right, but these guys are part of governing bodies that made those rules, and it's the company rules that have created much of the problem, along with the union rules.

I'm not sure either of them realize that at the rate they're going, there won't be a company to have rules or union members to represent. If they want drastic help, they need to look at what drastic measures they can take internally as well. I've only been able to watch a little of the coverage in the evenings, but what I've heard has been ridiculous. The jets are just the tip of the glacier.

Unknown said...

Congress needs to step off and not funnel more of my money into the ravenous maw of losing businesses. No one is even talking about WHY these auto companies are losing money on every car they sell.