Let Them Eat Cake, God Knows The Unions Can Afford It.

The New York Times, under an article written by David M. Herszenhorn, reported today that the

'Deal to Rescue American Automakers is Moving Ahead'.


'.....Nancy Pelosi hoped', or threatened as you may see things, 'that Mr. Bush's appointee- or car czar, as the position has come to be known- would not need to be replaced by President elect Obama, raising the prospect that the outgoing and incoming administrations would cooperate in selecting someone.' It also raises the prospect that either Mr. Bush will toe the line or the Democrats would prevail, one way or the other since Ms. Pelosi has summarily dismissed the two prospective names proffered by the Bush administration for the post.

Irrespective of what will churn on in debate and accusations, I, for one am opposed to a rescue. I am singularly opposed to any bailout however structured that would provide taxpayer money to the big 3 or big 2, depending on how you read this. (Ford hasn't quite come off the wheels....yet.)

'...Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, in comments on the Senate floor on Monday nodded to' ..(my).. 'concerns'... when he said."As we consider new legislation this week, we must first ensure that we do no harm to taxpayers later in our efforts to help out any one particular industry now. Troubled automakers cannot expect taxpayer help without a serious commitment to change their ways-permanently."

Mitch, thank you,...that sounds like a responsible attitude. It also sounds to me as though you are describing the types of remedies and protections that would be imposed on the automakers by a Chapter 11 filing and I'm down with it Senator,...really. All of us out here in reality land call that 'bankruptcy' and Mitch, some of us are on intimate terms with those remedies. Been there, done that,...hell, I've even got a 'Tee' shirt stuffed away somewhere I think.

See those last four words up there in italics? Change their ways permanently,...renegotiate their contracts maybe. I like it.

If you tow the mark, it works and survival is possible because bankruptcy is a protection. We might even get fuel efficient cars, but automakers don't think it will work. They think we won't buy cars from a 'bankrupt' company. Why not? We fly on 'bankrupt' airlines. How bad can a 'bankrupt' car be?

After all, the United States is nothing if not a nation of whiskey drummers and bible salesmen. We are up to the task. Our children grow up reveling in the fruits of marketing programs, slimy PR campaigns and hucksterism of every single sort and for everything they touch or see or want or emulate. A 'bankrupt' automaker is just a bump in the road. You won't even feel it if you're driving a Buick. See how easily that rolled right out? And I'm a carpenter. Want to see what DDB+W could do with it?

Marketing, what a tool, you just can't beat it.

But as badly as the big 3 eschew bankruptcy as 'bad for business' due to their jaundiced perceptions of the marketplace, it is not all bad news. Bankruptcy would mean that the big 3 would have to answer to the courts. Yeah,...judges and stuff, real courts.

A bailout would mean that the big 3 would answer to Congress and you would have to be a complete idiot not to see that attraction that holds for the likes of Pelosi, Reid, Frank, et al. on the wrong side of the aisle.

(OK,...sorry, that sounded a little too,...uh, conservative (small 'c' ) and Joan is over there making noises with the paper shredder again. I admit,...I've promised the wife to 'watch it' ....and then there was that thing about bleeding in my profile....) Let's just say,...the other side of the aisle and let it go.

OK.

With the Democrats traditionally and almost perennially beholden to the unions, including the incoming administration it becomes clear why they are pushing this bailout agenda. The biggest losers from a structured Chapter 11 will undoubtedly be the cozening unions.

Now in examination of that statement realize that if Toyota or Nissan or even BMW notices their fat profits circling the drain due to a slowdown in sales, they lay workers off. It make good business sense to do that. Nobody likes it but it happens. It's life. Not so the case with the big 3. The UAW won't permit it and any attempt at fiscal responsibility from the automakers is met with the usual threats. Why?

Simple, when you bow your head and respectfully become a member of the UAW they promise to continue your benefits for life. That's right. Life. You put in your twenty five, they do the rest. (Kind of like the old Kodak slogan,...only different.)

So what, you say. It's always been that way. Why sure it has. Always, at least back to the inception of the unions. Know anybody else who gets benefits for life?.......Think hard.......

.....That's right, Congress does. Salary and benefits, for life, no matter how long you serve. See how it works? If the big 3 go bankrupt all of their contracts have to be renegotiated...the UAW too. How long do you think those union benefits would last? That's what I think too.

With those fat pork benefits for people who haven't done a lick of work in tears down the shitter automobile costs will come down and that will be good for all of us, even the big 3.

When we're all feeling better, we might even take a look at the other pork recipients. Senator for life, Congressman for life, President for life,___________________ fill in the blank with whatever you like (Duvalier is taken though).

Maybe if those people had to live out their days on social security or actually pay for health insurance we might really get some 'Change we can believe in'.

But then I'm forgetting something.

How could I be so stupid? President elect Obama has promised to put an end to pork. I'm sure he meant just that,...aren't you?

Pass the cake please.