You've been one of the best influences in our lives here in Detroit for years Mitch. I used to listen to your radio show in the late nineties almost everyday. You're the journalist/writer extraordinairre and you make sports twice as fun after reading your articles. Your writing mixes everything into this unique humor/humanitarian twist which is all your own. Detroit thinks your TOPS!
Is this guy for real? Too little, too late Mitch. The auto industry chose short term gains with large trucks versus turning its attention to long term prosperity through innovation and research. Fuel efficiency laws have been beaten down by the Lame 3 for years and now they are paying the price. I don't blame the workers, I blame the white collars who were running the show, blinded by greed who are now sending in their boy Mitch to save face.
So what if that means that you're not buying anything made in the US (if you're from the US) because of the fact that it's cheaper to make products in countries that have more lenient labor laws. You're kind of screwing your country's economy over, right? I could be wrong, but that's how it seems to me. I mean, capitalism doesn't seem to be doing the US any favors right now. China seems content though. It just seems like the whole free market thing is kind of screwing the average American.
protectionism backfires.. Look at India and thier car manufacturing.. they started making cars when Japan did..I used to be against free-markets until I did some research on the topic.. reading economics books (Sowell's Basic Economics is a good one) or books like Free to Choose.. after you take in all the evidence, then decide. There is a good video about this subject: the username is pajholden and the video is tariffs and protectionism. Pajholden teaches Econ. and has lots of great videos.
The 3 executives were idiots like most heads of big companies. But those are real people who work in the industry and their lives ought to be worth something in this wonderful country of ours. Along with all other people who work hard and are basically treated like dirt unless a union pulls for them. Some of you folks take a lot for granted and don't seem to know your history when it comes to how workers used to be treated even in America, just one hundred years ago.
then they should have sent some sympathic workers to washington to plead their case, not the unsympathic rich corporate executives. bad move on their part. nobody wants to give money to a rich man in a suit.
So by his logic those from Detroit are unable to deal with a changing world market because they at one point were the backbone of this nation. Those 3 Exec's deserved the talking down to they got regardless who it came from. The total lack of tact as well for flying private jets in to ask for taxpayer money shows their disconnect with reality. Rather then send pundants out to the media, focus that energy on making cars that will change your companies future.
"We go under.." Perhaps it's time that your extortions from unions have now come home to roost. Personal choice to unionize and impose otherwise free market competition for jobs, skills and product has created the problem you're in.
Too bad. Survival of the fittest - clearly you are not!
What a fucking idiot. He doesn't understand economics at all. Nor does he know his history. YOU ARE NOT COMPETITIVE!!! Thats your problem not ours.
They made the middle class MY ASS! You aren't the backbone of shit. First off the middle class isn't defined by a single industry, second nor does the middle class want to buy their shit hence the situation.
Mitch get another job, coz you sucked at this one.
I agree completely. You fail, you die. It is not the taxpayer's job to fix the problems. My company is downsizing and my hours have been cut. Why can't the retail industry some help? We aren't unionized? You can't do it for everyone, therefore they are showing favoritism. The fairest thing is to ensure fair-play and stay out of the way.
If the big 3 are not competitive it's because, primarily, they are burdened by runaway health care costs because here in the USA the companies are expected to pay for the health insurance for it's workers. In Germany, Japan, Korea the government is picking up the tab which gives there auto companies a big advantage.
That is really complete BS. Each nation suffers from competitive advantages/disadvantage. Yeh they got caught off guard by the increasing health ins costs. But then again they looked suprised when they were asked to let go of their jets. It is the role, of the management and finance department, to make sure you have the funds for health insurance (gotten over the years from profit) are set aside as needed. But they didn't do that, which means its essentially those at the top got too greedy.
Essentially lets face it. The management wasn't ready for ANY downturn, because they weren't really competitive. Fair enough, I also think as usual the middle class is getting short changed, literally, and that is because of a redistribution of wealth issue. But Mitch's comments naming the auto-industry the middle class of the US is wrong and pointless. Plus, his speech lacked the determination to fight the competition.
I really think the US can do some amazing and competitive stuff, but if you don't and you lose. Don't cry about it. You're just wasted talent. Mitch's comments were childish, they offered no solutions at all, just a bunch of whining.
All I'm saying as politely as possible is that these are the 100 years that industrial jobs can come in handy. This country has to produce something other than dotcom bubbles and housing bubbles.
Detroit was the backbone of this country, more than many would like to admit. Look around and see who presided over the loss of our middle class. You can give businesses all the tax breaks they want but, hello, no middle class equals no customers. Especially for those who hate him already, their only hope now is the change that's coming Tuesday.
Actually, to be fair, the government (the states specifically) has to help because they've ALREADY paid billions in subsidies to foreign manufacturers to site their non-union factories in their states. The federal government, by refusing to deal with healthcare effectively, has added thousands of dollars per unit in healthcare costs per car.
Those two reasons alone make it only fair that the government step in and help.
You are the auto industry?? Why didn't your managers have you build cars that the world wants. You have your auto executives to thank for that who thought it was beneath them to fly commercial into Washington.
You have not talked about - a fair Game/Playing Fields here! I am from Asia, and I know how the Gov. Subsidy theirs Industries. And if all Americans work 60 hours and are willing to get a PAYCUT. Like right now Toyota asks his workers to get PAYCUT...
And the Biggest Problems with American Co.'s are the Salaries to the Management & CEO's; this ISSUE, I don't think I would like to comment about!
So am I supposed to buy unrealiable gas guzzlers because an entire city put their faith and well-being in corporations that make bad business decisions? I like my Toyota, thanks.
Mitch is - nailing right on the head when he said: "Detroit made something - tangible".
Some said: "let the Auto Ind go chapter 11 like the Airlines ..."
The answer is no - Airline Co. don't produce any ... Let say if one to let Boeing or Lockheed Martin go Ch11 " and see how America will face.
Obviously, the Big Three-Auto made major strategic mistakes - but the Consumers did too! Our family always drive small GM's or Subaru - Jap - not F150!
You've been one of the best influences in our lives here in Detroit for years Mitch. I used to listen to your radio show in the late nineties almost everyday. You're the journalist/writer extraordinairre and you make sports twice as fun after reading your articles. Your writing mixes everything into this unique humor/humanitarian twist which is all your own. Detroit thinks your TOPS!
jacks476 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
This guy is a total conceited Arsehole. Frank Beckmann ripped him a new vagina about film incentives.
Mi37591 3 months ago
This guy is a total conceited Arsehole. Frank Beckmann ripped him a new vagina wants about film inceptives.
Mi37591 3 months ago
This guy is a total conceited Arsehole.
Mi37591 3 months ago
i think he's very self conscious of his ears.. his hairstyle always covers most if not half of his ears.. u never see them exposed.
Fawk2099 2 years ago
Is this guy for real? Too little, too late Mitch. The auto industry chose short term gains with large trucks versus turning its attention to long term prosperity through innovation and research. Fuel efficiency laws have been beaten down by the Lame 3 for years and now they are paying the price. I don't blame the workers, I blame the white collars who were running the show, blinded by greed who are now sending in their boy Mitch to save face.
parmamagoo 2 years ago 6
tuesdays with morrie!
praxiola 2 years ago
AHHHHHH MITCH ALBOM!!!!!!! FAVOURITE AUTHOR!!!! FAVOURITE WRITER!!!!! YES YES YES hahah sorry
0chenz0 3 years ago 2
capitalism means failed businesses fail. I won't EVER buy from a company that asks for a bailout.
milfrie 3 years ago
So what if that means that you're not buying anything made in the US (if you're from the US) because of the fact that it's cheaper to make products in countries that have more lenient labor laws. You're kind of screwing your country's economy over, right? I could be wrong, but that's how it seems to me. I mean, capitalism doesn't seem to be doing the US any favors right now. China seems content though. It just seems like the whole free market thing is kind of screwing the average American.
annscann 3 years ago
protectionism backfires.. Look at India and thier car manufacturing.. they started making cars when Japan did..I used to be against free-markets until I did some research on the topic.. reading economics books (Sowell's Basic Economics is a good one) or books like Free to Choose.. after you take in all the evidence, then decide. There is a good video about this subject: the username is pajholden and the video is tariffs and protectionism. Pajholden teaches Econ. and has lots of great videos.
milfrie 3 years ago
The 3 executives were idiots like most heads of big companies. But those are real people who work in the industry and their lives ought to be worth something in this wonderful country of ours. Along with all other people who work hard and are basically treated like dirt unless a union pulls for them. Some of you folks take a lot for granted and don't seem to know your history when it comes to how workers used to be treated even in America, just one hundred years ago.
Robinwhiteart 3 years ago
then they should have sent some sympathic workers to washington to plead their case, not the unsympathic rich corporate executives. bad move on their part. nobody wants to give money to a rich man in a suit.
gregbird12 3 years ago 2
the socialist programs in europe exist because of the national wealth created by years of exploiting the natural resources of weaker countries
nasdaqst1 3 years ago
So by his logic those from Detroit are unable to deal with a changing world market because they at one point were the backbone of this nation. Those 3 Exec's deserved the talking down to they got regardless who it came from. The total lack of tact as well for flying private jets in to ask for taxpayer money shows their disconnect with reality. Rather then send pundants out to the media, focus that energy on making cars that will change your companies future.
powerlink485 3 years ago
"We go under.." Perhaps it's time that your extortions from unions have now come home to roost. Personal choice to unionize and impose otherwise free market competition for jobs, skills and product has created the problem you're in.
Too bad. Survival of the fittest - clearly you are not!
nyclights526 3 years ago
What a fucking idiot. He doesn't understand economics at all. Nor does he know his history. YOU ARE NOT COMPETITIVE!!! Thats your problem not ours.
They made the middle class MY ASS! You aren't the backbone of shit. First off the middle class isn't defined by a single industry, second nor does the middle class want to buy their shit hence the situation.
Mitch get another job, coz you sucked at this one.
akilkalel 3 years ago
I agree completely. You fail, you die. It is not the taxpayer's job to fix the problems. My company is downsizing and my hours have been cut. Why can't the retail industry some help? We aren't unionized? You can't do it for everyone, therefore they are showing favoritism. The fairest thing is to ensure fair-play and stay out of the way.
milfrie 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Your an asshole! Mitch is a well-respected writer, your a nobody! Move to china & check out the "middle class". Oh right, there isn't one.
SK8ERWWE 3 years ago
If the big 3 are not competitive it's because, primarily, they are burdened by runaway health care costs because here in the USA the companies are expected to pay for the health insurance for it's workers. In Germany, Japan, Korea the government is picking up the tab which gives there auto companies a big advantage.
Mitch4406 3 years ago
That is really complete BS. Each nation suffers from competitive advantages/disadvantage. Yeh they got caught off guard by the increasing health ins costs. But then again they looked suprised when they were asked to let go of their jets. It is the role, of the management and finance department, to make sure you have the funds for health insurance (gotten over the years from profit) are set aside as needed. But they didn't do that, which means its essentially those at the top got too greedy.
akilkalel 3 years ago
Essentially lets face it. The management wasn't ready for ANY downturn, because they weren't really competitive. Fair enough, I also think as usual the middle class is getting short changed, literally, and that is because of a redistribution of wealth issue. But Mitch's comments naming the auto-industry the middle class of the US is wrong and pointless. Plus, his speech lacked the determination to fight the competition.
akilkalel 3 years ago
I really think the US can do some amazing and competitive stuff, but if you don't and you lose. Don't cry about it. You're just wasted talent. Mitch's comments were childish, they offered no solutions at all, just a bunch of whining.
akilkalel 3 years ago 3
All I'm saying as politely as possible is that these are the 100 years that industrial jobs can come in handy. This country has to produce something other than dotcom bubbles and housing bubbles.
begonia27 3 years ago 3
Detroit was the backbone of this country, more than many would like to admit. Look around and see who presided over the loss of our middle class. You can give businesses all the tax breaks they want but, hello, no middle class equals no customers. Especially for those who hate him already, their only hope now is the change that's coming Tuesday.
begonia27 3 years ago
nitpicking will get us nowhere. i don't mind bailing out the auto industry, but they better dam well improve their product. that's all i have to say.
swishpix 3 years ago
Didn't hear him mention how all 3 executives flew on private jets to Washington to cry poor mouth.
fatfredthe28th 3 years ago
Charlie, easy on whiskey.
slangshotstudios 3 years ago
Mitch Albom sucks moose cock
drlove1972 3 years ago
Actually, to be fair, the government (the states specifically) has to help because they've ALREADY paid billions in subsidies to foreign manufacturers to site their non-union factories in their states. The federal government, by refusing to deal with healthcare effectively, has added thousands of dollars per unit in healthcare costs per car.
Those two reasons alone make it only fair that the government step in and help.
Bobfils 3 years ago
Fuckin retard!! You have legs use them, move to a city with jobs!!!
danantnap 3 years ago
so now you have the money, you need to make a product that people actually want to buy.otherwise we will see happen again
deejayflipside 3 years ago 3
this fellow has it backwards- the backbone of the country is the people, not any industry.
WhoRonPaul 3 years ago 5
People without decent jobs cannot be the backbone of anything.
begonia27 3 years ago
jobs are an industrial age invention and have been with americans for less than 100 years.
WhoRonPaul 3 years ago
If the companies can't convince anyone on the open market to finance them--why do they then have to convince politicians to force taxpayers to?
useyourdelusion 3 years ago 9
excellent point!
Pleblian 3 years ago 2
You are the auto industry?? Why didn't your managers have you build cars that the world wants. You have your auto executives to thank for that who thought it was beneath them to fly commercial into Washington.
DavidAKZ 3 years ago 3
if they made cars better than japan they would not have the problems they have now
123darwin123 3 years ago 7
You have not talked about - a fair Game/Playing Fields here! I am from Asia, and I know how the Gov. Subsidy theirs Industries. And if all Americans work 60 hours and are willing to get a PAYCUT. Like right now Toyota asks his workers to get PAYCUT...
And the Biggest Problems with American Co.'s are the Salaries to the Management & CEO's; this ISSUE, I don't think I would like to comment about!
SuongthuShi 3 years ago
clearly you know nothing about this issue. your response s typical of the uneducated and uninformed.
knowsmore 3 years ago
clearly YOU know nothing about this issue. your response is typical of the uneducated and uninformed
123darwin123 3 years ago
fuk yall i want a 3-5 k car like in india wtf 20 30 k credit fuks fuk credit living our country is fukd in the ass because of it
creten69 3 years ago 2
interesting perspective. but the question remains... how are you going to compete!?!?!
TheWiseCommenter 3 years ago 3
So am I supposed to buy unrealiable gas guzzlers because an entire city put their faith and well-being in corporations that make bad business decisions? I like my Toyota, thanks.
CrayonParade 3 years ago 5
Mitch is - nailing right on the head when he said: "Detroit made something - tangible".
Some said: "let the Auto Ind go chapter 11 like the Airlines ..."
The answer is no - Airline Co. don't produce any ... Let say if one to let Boeing or Lockheed Martin go Ch11 " and see how America will face.
Obviously, the Big Three-Auto made major strategic mistakes - but the Consumers did too! Our family always drive small GM's or Subaru - Jap - not F150!
SuongthuShi 3 years ago