Impossible to even comprehend these numbers....

[Anonymous]

Some of the problems the big three had were indeed their product line. I believe that most of their Japanese rivals go thru full model design changes about once every 4 years while the American manufacturers where redesigning their products once every 7 on average. GM who was the world's largest car maker damaged themselves with internal political squabbling between their countless divisions. Chrysler while Mercedes owned their controlling stock was treated like the redheaded step child and was starved of R&D money. So yes Unions were not totally to blame for their fall but they sure as hell didn't help. In fact they were well aware of the financial mess that the US car companies faced and did nothing to help the situation except attempt to extort more and more money out of the companies. Furthermore GM is now saddled with the UAW for life because Obama forced them to place the Union on the board of directors as part of their restructuring and bailout. One of the reasons GM dumped Saturn was because Saturn represted the last non-union shop in the GM fold.

 

You are right about Ford they really make a decent product and they didn't take any of the Obama government cheese to do it. As for their truck line, they arguably always made the best full-size pick-up on the market. Now they just make a better one. My husband who was always a GM car fan insists that the company lease purchase Ford super duties as company vehicles because they never die.

You seem to know more about the internal workings of the auto industry than I do. I was unaware that Obama placed the UAW on the board of directors at GM. I also didn't know Saturn was non-union when it was owned by GM.



For pure looks, I have always liked the Silverado series of trucks. Don't get me wrong, my husband's white F-150 is cute, but I am partial to the looks of a nice black Silverado with heaps of chrome.

[Renee]

Some of the problems the big three had were indeed their product line. I believe that most of their Japanese rivals go thru full model design changes about once every 4 years while the American manufacturers where redesigning their products once every 7 on average. GM who was the world's largest car maker damaged themselves with internal political squabbling between their countless divisions. Chrysler while Mercedes owned their controlling stock was treated like the redheaded step child and was starved of R&D money. So yes Unions were not totally to blame for their fall but they sure as hell didn't help. In fact they were well aware of the financial mess that the US car companies faced and did nothing to help the situation except attempt to extort more and more money out of the companies. Furthermore GM is now saddled with the UAW for life because Obama forced them to place the Union on the board of directors as part of their restructuring and bailout. One of the reasons GM dumped Saturn was because Saturn represted the last non-union shop in the GM fold.

 

You are right about Ford they really make a decent product and they didn't take any of the Obama government cheese to do it. As for their truck line, they arguably always made the best full-size pick-up on the market. Now they just make a better one. My husband who was always a GM car fan insists that the company lease purchase Ford super duties as company vehicles because they never die.

You seem to know more about the internal workings of the auto industry than I do. I was unaware that Obama placed the UAW on the board of directors at GM. I also didn't know Saturn was non-union when it was owned by GM.



For pure looks, I have always like the Silverado series of trucks. Don't get me wrong, my husband's white F-150 is cute, but I am partial to the looks of a nice black Silverado with heaps of chrome.

I know enough about the car industry to be dangerous. Back when all the bailout stuff was going down it was all over the news and financial reports so if you kept half an eye on the economy you had to read a lot of what was going on.



I agree about the Chevy in the looks department but I think I like the F-150 better. To me it looks more masculine and a truck should look like a guy wants to drive it.

[Romero]

funny how you mention 1968 wages.....it seems back then that people  managed to have a pretty good life when govt. didn't control every aspect of daily life...go figure

In 1968 the minimum wage was higher, average wages were higher and more workers were unionized. 1968 saw a peak of civil and worker rights fought for since before the start of the Industrial Revolution. Corporations and the wealthy paid a higher fair share in taxes, helping country and economy.



Now it's 2013. The economy stinks. We've done lower wages, lower taxes, less unionization; more globalization, deregulation, merging, outsourcing... when is it going to start doing any good? Things suck more now after that all happened.  



We've been doing exactly what you and many others have wanted. It's clearly not working. It was better in 1968 when there were higher wages, unionization and taxes, wasn't it?

[Obvious Li]

funny how you mention 1968 wages.....it seems back then that people  managed to have a pretty good life when govt. didn't control every aspect of daily life...go figure

In 1968 the minimum wage was higher, average wages were higher and more workers were unionized. 1968 saw a peak of civil and worker rights fought for since before the start of the Industrial Revolution. Corporations and the wealthy paid a higher fair share in taxes, helping country and economy.



Now it's 2013. The economy stinks. We've done lower wages, lower taxes, less unionization; more globalization, deregulation, merging, outsourcing... when is it going to start doing any good? Things suck more now after that all happened.  



We've been doing exactly what you and many others have wanted. It's clearly not working. It was better in 1968 when there were higher wages, unionization and taxes, wasn't it?

well you got one thing right......it was better in 1968.....most families had one income (the father) and lived quite well.....most people were the same.......the reasons for this were many and had little if anything to do with unions etc etc.......



in 1968, govt. was small and benign in your daily life......taxes were low, prices were low, regulations (and their costs) were a non issue...people were well educated and "progressives" were just stating to interact with their medication. If you didn't work you didn't eat. Being on social assistance was still "shameful" and to be avoided at all costs.



people had "reasonable" expectations...paid cash for the stuff they really needed...credit was almost non-existent and families bought stuff when they could afford it....luxuries, like dining out, movies or vacations occurred rarely and sparingly....it was common for someone to spend their whole adult life driving older used vehicles...chances are the clothes you wore to school were your older brothers or sisters.......



so as stated, in 1968, people still had reasonable expectations on what the system could provide....by the 70's, once people had a taste of the Trudeau liberal welfare state there was no turning back.... government intrusion in every facet of your daily life followed as the progressive socialists took over what families and parents used to do...taxes were raised, govt's borrowed to pay for their largesse....the progressives started to dumb down the people by destroying the education system and bringing in regulations to control every facet of daily life...the end result was inevitable, predictable and tragic......we are living it every day.

[Anonymous]

funny how you mention 1968 wages.....it seems back then that people  managed to have a pretty good life when govt. didn't control every aspect of daily life...go figure

In 1968 the minimum wage was higher, average wages were higher and more workers were unionized. 1968 saw a peak of civil and worker rights fought for since before the start of the Industrial Revolution. Corporations and the wealthy paid a higher fair share in taxes, helping country and economy.



Now it's 2013. The economy stinks. We've done lower wages, lower taxes, less unionization; more globalization, deregulation, merging, outsourcing... when is it going to start doing any good? Things suck more now after that all happened.  



We've been doing exactly what you and many others have wanted. It's clearly not working. It was better in 1968 when there were higher wages, unionization and taxes, wasn't it?

It seems you are saying what Renee is saying, greedy unions are the reason unskilled labour jobs took off for greener pastures. Can't blame em as unions got too big, too greedy and too bullying.



Lots of good paying jobs today though. None for unskilled labourers though and I have no problem with that.

[Romero]

A Walmart in northeast Ohio is holding a holiday canned food drive — for its own underpaid employees. "Please Donate Food Items Here, so Associates in Need Can Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner," a sign reads in the employee lounge of a Canton-area Walmart.



Kory Lundberg, a Walmart spokesman, says the drive is a positive thing. "This is part of the company's culture to rally around associates and take care of them when they face extreme hardships," he said. Indeed, Lundberg is correct that it's commendable to make an effort to help out those who are in need, especially during the holidays.



But the need for a food drive illustrates how difficult it is for Walmart workers to get by on its notoriously low pay. The company has long been plagued by charges that it doesn't pay its employees a real living wage.



Walmart's low wages come at a public cost. Because low-income workers still need housing and health care, taxpayers end up doling out millions in benefits to bridge the gap faced by many of the store's retail workers. They have also led to strikes at Walmart stores from Seattle to Chicago to Los Angeles in recent weeks.



Even if the canned food drive successfully gathers enough to help out the Canton store's low-income workers, many of them might not even be able to have the food on Thanksgiving. That's because Walmart is one of a group of retailers that will open its stores for Black Friday sales beginning at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving afternoon.



http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/11/18/2960371/walmart-food-drive/">//http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/11/18/2960371/walmart-food-drive/

"Benefits". Enjoy your Thanksgiving can of cream corn when you get home around two in the morning!

[Obvious Li]

A Walmart in northeast Ohio is holding a holiday canned food drive — for its own underpaid employees. "Please Donate Food Items Here, so Associates in Need Can Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner," a sign reads in the employee lounge of a Canton-area Walmart.



Kory Lundberg, a Walmart spokesman, says the drive is a positive thing. "This is part of the company's culture to rally around associates and take care of them when they face extreme hardships," he said. Indeed, Lundberg is correct that it's commendable to make an effort to help out those who are in need, especially during the holidays.



But the need for a food drive illustrates how difficult it is for Walmart workers to get by on its notoriously low pay. The company has long been plagued by charges that it doesn't pay its employees a real living wage.



Walmart's low wages come at a public cost. Because low-income workers still need housing and health care, taxpayers end up doling out millions in benefits to bridge the gap faced by many of the store's retail workers. They have also led to strikes at Walmart stores from Seattle to Chicago to Los Angeles in recent weeks.



Even if the canned food drive successfully gathers enough to help out the Canton store's low-income workers, many of them might not even be able to have the food on Thanksgiving. That's because Walmart is one of a group of retailers that will open its stores for Black Friday sales beginning at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving afternoon.



http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/11/18/2960371/walmart-food-drive/">//http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/11/18/2960371/walmart-food-drive/

"Benefits". Enjoy your Thanksgiving can of cream corn when you get home around two in the morning!

yes..i'd rather be a unionized worker at Caterpillar or Heinz in Ontario than work at Walmart......oh wait a minute, there are no more workers at Cat and Heinz...they priced themselves out of a job........idiots

[Anonymous]

well you got one thing right......it was better in 1968.....most families had one income (the father) and lived quite well.....most people were the same.......the reasons for this were many and had little if anything to do with unions etc etc.......



in 1968, govt. was small and benign in your daily life......taxes were low, prices were low, regulations (and their costs) were a non issue...people were well educated and "progressives" were just stating to interact with their medication. If you didn't work you didn't eat. Being on social assistance was still "shameful" and to be avoided at all costs.



people had "reasonable" expectations...paid cash for the stuff they really needed...credit was almost non-existent and families bought stuff when they could afford it....luxuries, like dining out, movies or vacations occurred rarely and sparingly....it was common for someone to spend their whole adult life driving older used vehicles...chances are the clothes you wore to school were your older brothers or sisters.......



so as stated, in 1968, people still had reasonable expectations on what the system could provide....by the 70's, once people had a taste of the Trudeau liberal welfare state there was no turning back.... government intrusion in every facet of your daily life followed as the progressive socialists took over what families and parents used to do...taxes were raised, govt's borrowed to pay for their largesse....the progressives started to dumb down the people by destroying the education system and bringing in regulations to control every facet of daily life...the end result was inevitable, predictable and tragic......we are living it every day.

People today spend more on government than they do on food, shelter and clothing. There was the global cooling scare then not the legal theft known as global warming today which is the biggest assault on working people there is. You have the all these hands robbing working people today, big government, big NGO's, big labour, and big crony capitalism(Obongo).



I hope my son's generation will be liberated from this madness.

[Odinson]

well you got one thing right......it was better in 1968.....most families had one income (the father) and lived quite well.....most people were the same.......the reasons for this were many and had little if anything to do with unions etc etc.......



in 1968, govt. was small and benign in your daily life......taxes were low, prices were low, regulations (and their costs) were a non issue...people were well educated and "progressives" were just stating to interact with their medication. If you didn't work you didn't eat. Being on social assistance was still "shameful" and to be avoided at all costs.



people had "reasonable" expectations...paid cash for the stuff they really needed...credit was almost non-existent and families bought stuff when they could afford it....luxuries, like dining out, movies or vacations occurred rarely and sparingly....it was common for someone to spend their whole adult life driving older used vehicles...chances are the clothes you wore to school were your older brothers or sisters.......



so as stated, in 1968, people still had reasonable expectations on what the system could provide....by the 70's, once people had a taste of the Trudeau liberal welfare state there was no turning back.... government intrusion in every facet of your daily life followed as the progressive socialists took over what families and parents used to do...taxes were raised, govt's borrowed to pay for their largesse....the progressives started to dumb down the people by destroying the education system and bringing in regulations to control every facet of daily life...the end result was inevitable, predictable and tragic......we are living it every day.

People today spend more on government than they do on food, shelter and clothing. There was the global cooling scare then not the legal theft known as global warming today which is the biggest assault on working people there is. You have the all these hands robbing working people today, big government, big NGO's, big labour, and big crony capitalism(Obongo).



I hope my son's generation will be liberated from this madness.

Half of my salary is spent on taxes. Buying of a TV requires some long term planning. Spending 100 bucks is a large expenditure. I try to cope and get ladies but I cannot afford to get in a fancy restaurants etc.

She is so beautiful.



I know homero cums in his pants when he hear the word "scandinavia". The truth is that we are paying the half our salaries in taxes and our pay is minimal to begin with.



The swedes, norwegians are the same. We have no money... It is a lie and you are all fools.



That is why we are all so much more masculine... We are trying to fight this blood sucking abyss. But what can a mere man do against the government.

Lapland should go independent so that we would not be required to hear your southern homo stuff ever again.



No metrosexuals, no homos of any kind!



I´ll take my gun, ammo and go live in the woods somewhere because in the wilderness I do not have to suffer some commie phaggots/metrosexuals.

[Romero]

The latest friendly advice from McDonald's to their low-wage workers includes tips on how to better handle stress--as well as how to fill yourself up better with dinner.  The fast-food corporation instructs workers that breaking food "into pieces" will keep you full.



A video published by Low Pay Is Not OK shows the website's advice to workers.  One piece of advice given is for workers to take two vacations a year--an impossible task given that many employees work two low-wage jobs.  It tells workers to "sing away stress" because it "can lower your blood pressure."  And it tells McDonald's employees to break "food into pieces," which "results in eating less and still feeling full."



McDonald's had previously come under fire for telling workers to apply for food stamps while being employed by a fast-food corporation raking in billions annually. Many McDonald's workers make minimum wage.  The federal minimum wage rate is $7.25 an hour.



http://www.alternet.org/mcdonalds-advice-employees-break-food-pieces-keep-you-full">//http://www.alternet.org/mcdonalds-advice-employees-break-food-pieces-keep-you-full

[Anonymous]

^^McDonald's franchisees do NOT rake in billions of dollars despite what an editorial piece from alternet says. They work long hours and have a huge investment at stake. The kids working for them, have no risk at all.

[Romero]

No article has claimed franchise owners rake in billions. McDonald's does. McDonald's can well afford to give their franchisees more to pay their workers a living wage.



Or the company should be forced to. "If you're hungry break food into pieces"? How cruel is it going to get?



No problem paying a living wage in Canada and most other countries!

[Renee]

No article has claimed franchise owners rake in billions. McDonald's does. McDonald's can well afford to give their franchisees more to pay their workers a living wage.



Or the company should be forced to. "If you're hungry break food into pieces"? How cruel is it going to get?



No problem paying a living wage in Canada and most other countries!

 

It's obvious that you don't get it. Unless the McDonald's location is corporate owned, the franchise owner pays his employees salaries.



BTW, don't even try to tell us that you can make a "living wage" working at McDonalds in Canada. That claim is too butt fucking naive; no stupid,  to even give more than a passing chuckle.  



Troll fail; wait NO, troll EPIC fail on that one.

[Romero]

You can make a living wage working at a McDonald's in Canada. Our minimum wage is around $3/hour more.



You don't see McDonald's Canada telling hungry workers to fill up by breaking food into pieces!

McDonald's franchise owners are mobilizing against corporate.



The franchisees, who operate 90% of McDonald's restaurants, say the company is charging too much for rent, remodeling, and fees for training, reports Leslie Patton at Bloomberg News.



The franchisees told Patton they are currently paying up to 12% of store sales in rent. They're asking the company to return to a "historic rate" of 8.5%.



http://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-franchise-owners-hold-meeting-2013-8">//http://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-franchise-owners-hold-meeting-2013-8

[Anonymous]

No article has claimed franchise owners rake in billions. McDonald's does. McDonald's can well afford to give their franchisees more to pay their workers a living wage.



Or the company should be forced to. "If you're hungry break food into pieces"? How cruel is it going to get?



No problem paying a living wage in Canada and most other countries!

McDonald's corporation does not pay anyone's wages that works in their restaurants, unless it is a corporate outlet.