Deseret News | GM, Chrysler warm to merger

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GM, Chrysler warm to merger

Scotwhit | 3:05 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

What a great idea. If only Bennet would apply his thoughts to the government and get rid of half of everyone wasting taxpayers money. Maybe he should offer to retire first. We don't need two worthless Senators in Washington trying to think they are representing us. We could even merge Utah and Colorado congressmen, eliminate half of them and save millions in expenses without even missing those that were gone.

All Knowing | 3:23 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Much of the problem is the obscene wages, health care, and pensions of UAW workers. Not one Senator asked for a comparison of UAW wages and benefits with wages and benefits paid by foreign car manufacturers in this country. Or any other standard of wages and benefits for comparison.

That's the elephant in the living room that the committee wants to ignore. Why? Politics!!!! These monkeys should be tossed out of office and charged with crimes of stupidity and misuse of the people's taxes.

Capius | 4:32 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

I don't thing any one was asking the UAW for their opinion or approval.

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JES | 6:05 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

THE UAW is COMPLETELY RESPONSIBLE for the demise of thte big three automakers. The only way they will ever compete globally is to totally disband the Unions.

Jeff | 7:31 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Why isn't healthcare being discussed here? The bennies that the UAW receives weren't that outlandish when negotiated 40 years ago. Where we stand today, Healthcare in America is the leach sucking the blood of us all. There is no question that healthcare providers have played and continue to play a very important role in the deterioration of the big three, and in the demise of many other companies in America. By charging reasonable rates, healthcare providers, who should be held accountable for this fiasco as well, could assist in healing the Big three as opposed to sucking them dry.

The bailout should go through, and it is going to be pennies on the dollar compared to the next day of reckoning to be seen in America. Save the Big Three; Pull the plug on Healthcare in America.

All Knowing | 10:08 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

According to testimony, $21 billion is to be deposited into UAW members' VEBP (retirement) fund. That's more than half of what the auto companies say they need to keep alive. Suggest they borrow that from the UAW fund. A workable solution doesn't seem to be complicated at all without using tax payer money. Will the Congress ever think of this as a solution? No!! Why? Because UAW workers vote.

John | 11:04 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

Politicians in Congress giving advice to failing businesses is only more likely to make them more bloated, inefficient and mired in dependence on even more federal handouts. Congressional "oversight" is just additional unqualified cooks spoiling the broth.

Bennett may have lots of time in the Senate, but that does not make him an expert on running any sort of business in a repsonsible manner.

If Bennett really wants to help, repeal all the mandates placed on the car companies, and then tell them to go file bankruptcy and salvage what they can to try to become profitable in the future.

Throwing more money at the Big 3 is only going to waste tax dollars. Only a fool or a liar will claim that it will ever be repaid, let along with interest, or any profit.

We don't need to subsidize buggy whip makers either, or steam locomotive builders.

The UAW is the albatross around the neck of the big 3 and the Democrats (and semi-senile RINO Republicans) refuse to admit that or attack the root of the problem.

Politicians!

I agree | 11:15 p.m. Dec. 4, 2008

It is all the unions fault. The answer to this problem is to pay all working Americans the same wages as the workers in Mexico, China, So. Korea, etc. Let's just say the minimum wage. With that simple adjustment, cars could be produced in America that could be competively sold worldwide. Of course, no worker in America will be able to afford to buy one, and for that matter they will not be able to afford a house either. Oh, the joys of deflation, I can't wait!!!!

Union Yes! | 2:02 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008

Labor Unions: Destroying the American Economy One Industry at a Time.

Shoddy workmanship | 2:07 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008

Ever owned an American made car and then buy a foreign car after or visa versa? Anyone who has rarely buys another American made car again. Why is that you ask? Go ask the UAW why they produce junk and get paid three or four times more than a Japanese worker. You see folks, we vote with our wallets! The only fix is not for the government to subsidize junk making. American companies are not being allowed to compete on a level field and never will be as long as the government (over regulations) and unions control this industry.

RE: Union Yes! | 7:19 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008

What do the top "white collsr" workers at the big three make a year? Do they receive bonus's? The problems are not all the unions fault. There is plenty of blame to go around, on both sides!!!

Escalade | 11:16 a.m. Dec. 5, 2008

That will be good, then they can combine their efforts to produce even bigger gas guzzlers that nobody wants to buy.

Import vs. USA | 12:26 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008

My neighbor has a Toyota Prius, a 2004 Chevy Impala with 150,000 miles on it, and a GM mini van of some sort. He told me that his GM vehicles have had no problems and have been as good, or better, than the Prius. And cost much less, and can carry 4 full size adults in comfort. Quality is equal nowadays with Ford, GM, Honda, and Toyota. Those are the 4 best.

Also, what are people talking about with "gas guzzlers" anyway? Based on my comparisons, equal engines and vehicles all get within 1-3 mpg of each other, regardless of import or domestic. And GM has 30 vehicles at over 30 mpg hwy. Are you still living in 1977? Give your facts...

Brother Chuck Schroeder | 2:13 p.m. Dec. 5, 2008

HERE WE GO AGAIN - "Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah" pushes for - GM, Chrysler and Ford to merger?. Well, let me tell you this, say, if AT&T wanted to merger with Ma Bell, and, be the largest in the World phone company, they can't do it, to merger would have to be approved by the people and also Congress. So this "talk about a merger" is really moot. However, I wounder just how much "kick-back's" from this so called illegal merger of the 3, will Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah paid back?. I for one, know your Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah is not honest. And as a Republican to here, I don't trust Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah. Even if he's your icon, because he has Utah after his name. That don't mean nothing.

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Susan Walsh, Associated Press

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., left, shakes hands with General Motors Chief Executive Officer Richard Wagoner on Capitol Hill in Washington Thursday before the start of the committee's hearing on a bailout for troubled American automakers. Committee member Sen. Robert Bennett, R-Utah is at center.

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Reader comments GM, Chrysler warm to merger

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GM, Chrysler warm to merger