To My Representatives,
I work for a car dealership in the midwest, and I have a few comments I would like to convey.
1. The car companies are asking for a loan, so quit calling it a bailout. They cannot get a loan in the conventional manner because congress and our government (that is you) failed to protect the integrity of the system.
2. The fact that the government would consider turning its back on the largest industry left in the states is amazing, and dumbfounding. The different congressional panels spent a week raking the CEO's of the Big 3 over the coals because they asked for a $25 Billion loan, sending them away empty handed. Then on Friday Citibank called and asked for another $20 Billion (you had already given them $25B) and on Monday they had a check. If Citibank closed tomorrow the US Banking industry would not collapse, it would hurt no doubt. If GM closes that will be the end of the US Automotive industry, and I work for a Ford dealer
3. Before one more member of congress stands up and says that the US auto makers need to start making better quality products they need to gain some knowledge. Ford, for the past 3 years, has been #1 or tied for best in the industry for quality. Ford makes the safest vehicles on the market, they have more cars with 5 star safety ratings than any other company. GM has the number one car in initial quality this year. GM has more cars that get over 30 MPG than any other company. You as a group are suppose to building up American pride not tearing it down.
4. Comparing American car companies to the foreign companies that operate in the US is not a fair comparison. First, these companies were allowed to come into the company to make cars and given subsidies to do so. They are allowed to operate with nonunion workers, which is fine, but it is not an even playing field. The government of Japan subsidizes all of the green technology developed by their car companies, the US companies must pay for their own. All of the Asian governments subsidize health and retirement plans for their workers, again US manufacturers must pay for this themselves. AND, the Japanese government does not let US car companies sell their cars in Japan. Is this a fair comparison?
5. CAFE Standards, these standards overwhelmingly affect US manufacturers more than foreign companies. The foreign companies do not sell the volume of trucks that the US manufacturers do, so you, our government, are putting us at a disadvantage.
6. The wholesale destruction of US manufacturing cannot continue. You must find a way to assist and incentivize BUY AMERICAN.
7. Last, try taking a little bit of the responsibility for the current state of affairs. The reason that congress has an 11% approval rating or whatever it is at the moment, is because they never stand up and say we messed up.
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