What do you think about GM?

[chickenguysmom]

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Good for you Whispering Winds, you are a great example of what alot of folks have gotten away from. You are looking to the future with bright eyes and doing something about your own personal situation and planning for the future.

Your not blaming anyone, your not sueing anyone, just thinking about what you can do for you and yours. If more people looked into themselves for the answer, they would stop looking to government or someone else to solve all their problems. IMHO, it is getting away from some of the simple core values (some biblical, some not) that got everyone into the mess they are in.

 

[CarriBrown]

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As Americans we save so little of what we make. We went from being a nation of producers to a nation of consumers within one or two generations. It is all about the choices people make and the responsibility they take for their actions.

If you choose to have a cell phone with tons of minutes and text all day long. If you have to have cable TV because your reception is crappy. If you choose to eat out and go to movies and drink Starbucks. Those are all choices that effect your personal bottom line. Of course I don't mean you personally, Mr. Beak. What I am trying to say is that folks don't seem to remember what a NEED is vs. a WANT. Then when they have made poor choices all their lives they look to someone to blame and someone to bail them out. For some it is bankruptcy, for others it is gov.t bailouts. Whatever it is it began with society telling you 'it is not your fault'. Not your fault if you are overweight - its McDonald's fault or your genetic make up, but you are not to blame. If you have cancer, it's the cigarette maker's fault for selling you the ciggies not yours for buying them and smoking them. If you didn't get a high paying job it's not your fault it is because you are__________ whatever. It's not because you decided to drop out of school, skip classes. Or better yet blame it on the education system. Anyone but the individual.

Sort of long, but it's all about personal responsibility. And yes folks that come from modest middle-class families can become rich but they will all tell you they made choices, hard choices about what was important to them and their goals. A good book to read is The Millionaire Next Door.

I apoligize in advance to anyone who has ever smoked, got turned down for a job or skipped classes.

Yes yes yes. Absolutely. I'm so sick and tired of people pointing fingers and asking for a handout as if nothing is their fault. Sometimes I'm ashamed to be a part of the "me me me" generation. What happened to working hard for what you want until you get it? Nobody is entitled to anything here in the US except for basic human rights. I will defend Capitalism until I die because I truly believe it what makes this country great. Unfortunately, we have gotten away from what our Founding Fathers wanted for us.
I love America, and if you don't, feel free to get the heck out. </rant>

 

[balticbabe]

GM has been in trouble for quite awhile. When I was in business school GM was a case study in a textbook. They make cars people don't want, too many brands that people could no longer tell apart, they're top heavy with lots of legacy costs, spend too much energy on restructuring and finance. Are they a bank or a auto manufacturer?

Yes the economy sucks but it didn't affect every manufacturer the same. Subaru sales are down just 6.7% Honda's are down 25.3% while GM is down 33.1%. http://online.wsj.com/mdc/public/page/2_3022-autosales.html#autosalesD

 

[Boyd]

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[Nifty-Chicken]

This discussion has gone a few directions, but the bits that interest me the most are about outsourcing, needs/wants, entitlement, saving/spending, standards of living, etc.

These concepts... they become very interesting discussion when you compare the lifestyle, standard of living, work hours and conditions for the "middle class" was 10, 20, 50, 100 years ago and what they are today. Also comparing the US middle class and those items (standard of living, etc.) with the "middle class" of other countries.

I don't want to fork this conversation too much, so I'll link to where I posted a bunch of my thoughts on the subject of outsourcing at our sister site http://www.sufficientself.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=296

BTW, thaks to those that are keeping this conversation civil and friendly. Keep it up and there shouldn't be any reason why it would be locked.

 

[BarkerChickens]

I understand the "reason" behind the bail out, but as time goes on, I am not comfortable with it. I am not seeing how it has helped Michigan when they are still laying off people and exporting jobs.

However, I am not an economist and sure there are details I am missing. If it helps the American people keep there jobs and helps the economy, then I will support it.

Regarding the bail out CA comment a few pages back...Schwarzenegger was given a mess when we recalled Davis. He's made a lot of things better (though some things I haven't supported). The ones in the state congress who are suppose to approve the budget are jacking things up and it can't be blamed directly on Schwarzenegger. Additionally, a few things were put on the ballot to help out the budget issue and they were nearly all voted against (granted some were not so great ideas). We can't blame the governor only when it takes a state full of crummy politicians to get our state in this mess (or our country for that matter).

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Fields required to have state licenses such as engineers, geologists, etc will remain here since most states don't accept out-of-country degrees. And sales positions, etc. that will always require someone here.

 

[country lady]

Hey Nifty, you did read "The World is Flat." Wasn't that an interesting book, if not a bit scary? Another book that you might find interesting is: "The Black Swan" by Nassim N. Taleb. I have to admit it was sometimes over my head, but do you know that since I read that book I have heard the phase "black swan" used several times.

I don't think any of our comments are off topic because everything relates to our economic well-being and future. I like the comment someone made about personal responsibility. I've enjoyed the conversation even when I disagree.

I am going back to your sister site and read that. It's new to me.

 

[Whispering Winds]

Quote:
Good for you Whispering Winds, you are a great example of what alot of folks have gotten away from. You are looking to the future with bright eyes and doing something about your own personal situation and planning for the future.

Your not blaming anyone, your not sueing anyone, just thinking about what you can do for you and yours. If more people looked into themselves for the answer, they would stop looking to government or someone else to solve all their problems. IMHO, it is getting away from some of the simple core values (some biblical, some not) that got everyone into the mess they are in.

I think this has what this country has created with all these free programs. Now, don't misunderstand me, if someone has worked and they lost their job through no fault of their own, then food stamps and help with their utilities is fine with me. We want to pass the buck and blame the next guy or the gov. for our own messes, instead of sucking it up and taking care of the issue WE created. I am totally againest these programs that keep sending these people to school (Illinois does this, Ihave a friend who's two daughters have went to school on MY dime TWICE for two different careers, and they still aren't doing what they went to school for . . .THIS is what I am talking about!) when there are people out there absolutely dying to go to school, but can't because they make too much money, or they don't have dependents. . .education is for everyone, but don't let the freeloaders go first. Sorry, but this country is in the mess its in because of US. We stood silently by like lambs to the slaughter and let a lot of this cr-p get started . . .but I am an optimist and I truly believe that things are going to get better and if cars can't give people their jobs back, something else will . . .that is what new technology will bring us. Sorry, but this has been a sore subject with me. I think we just need to take care of #1 and not worry about what is going on in another country. But, don't get me started on that, as I am not political savvy enough to understand all of it, and really don't want to know either!!!

 

[Dar]

Quote:
Good for you Whispering Winds, you are a great example of what alot of folks have gotten away from. You are looking to the future with bright eyes and doing something about your own personal situation and planning for the future.

Your not blaming anyone, your not sueing anyone, just thinking about what you can do for you and yours. If more people looked into themselves for the answer, they would stop looking to government or someone else to solve all their problems. IMHO, it is getting away from some of the simple core values (some biblical, some not) that got everyone into the mess they are in.

I think this has what this country has created with all these free programs. Now, don't misunderstand me, if someone has worked and they lost their job through no fault of their own, then food stamps and help with their utilities is fine with me. We want to pass the buck and blame the next guy or the gov. for our own messes, instead of sucking it up and taking care of the issue WE created. I am totally againest these programs that keep sending these people to school (Illinois does this, Ihave a friend who's two daughters have went to school on MY dime TWICE for two different careers, and they still aren't doing what they went to school for . . .THIS is what I am talking about!) when there are people out there absolutely dying to go to school, but can't because they make too much money, or they don't have dependents. . .education is for everyone, but don't let the freeloaders go first. Sorry, but this country is in the mess its in because of US. We stood silently by like lambs to the slaughter and let a lot of this cr-p get started . . .but I am an optimist and I truly believe that things are going to get better and if cars can't give people their jobs back, something else will . . .that is what new technology will bring us. Sorry, but this has been a sore subject with me. I think we just need to take care of #1 and not worry about what is going on in another country. But, don't get me started on that, as I am not political savvy enough to understand all of it, and really don't want to know either!!!

 

[ijon1]

I blame both parties. They are two steps below a parasite.