Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Dems express 'growing concern' [re: Obama auto dealer closures]
Politico ^ | June 6, 2009 | By AMIE PARNES

Posted on 06/06/2009 3:03:58 PM PDT by Jim Robinson

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer and Reps. Chris Van Hollen and Daniel Maffei have circulated this letter today ...

... to Obama expressing “growing concern” with the closures of GM and Chrysler dealerships across the country. The lawmakers say they’re asking for a “compelling justification as to how closing healthy dealerships will make the automakers more financially sound. The lawmakers are asking for lawmakers to sign this letter by 5p.m. today.

Full letter below:

Dear President Obama:

We are writing to express our concerns about General Motors’ and Chrysler’s decision to close profitable automobile dealerships across the country, and urge you to ask GM and Chrysler to delay final action on proposed closures pending further review of the decision to consolidate dealerships and the process by which Chrysler and GM selected the dealerships to close.

Closing these dealerships will put over 100,000 jobs at risk at a time when our country is shedding jobs at an alarming rate. We also question the criteria being used to determine which dealerships should be closed and the fundamental fairness involved in this effort. It is our view that the market rather than leaving it up to the manufacturers whose poor leadership contributed to their demise. Furthermore, we believe car dealers will be key players in any effort to revive the American auto industry.

We believe the dealerships are one of the auto industry’s key sources of strength and the manufacturers should continue to honor their agreements and contracts. The dealerships, and their more than 1 million employees, form personal relationships with customers that often contribute to brand loyalty and will be key to General Motors’ and Chrysler’s recovery following this economic downturn. While we understand the desire to reduce the number of unprofitable dealerships, no one has yet sufficiently explained the need to close profitable dealerships.

We recognize that efforts by your Auto Task Force prevented the total liquidation of General Motors and Chrysler, as well as their dealership networks. We commend your efforts to help these businesses survive these challenging economic times.

However, we are concerned that manufacturers are closing profitable dealerships to circumvent current contracts which could require expensive buy-outs under normal conditions. We are also concerned about allegations that dealers that have previously stood up for their rights against the manufacturers are being targeted by these closures. We believe that the forced closures of profitable dealerships needs to be scrutinized by the Task Force to prevent additional future financial loses to General Motors and Chrysler and job loses across the United States

We may consider legislative proposals to ensure that dealers and their employees are treated fairly, and we look forward to your timely response.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: 111th; agenda; bho44; chrysler; cronyism; dealerships; gm; killchryslerlist; michigan; obama
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-88 next last

1 posted on 06/06/2009 3:03:59 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson
"We recognize that efforts by your Auto Task Force prevented the total liquidation of General Motors and Chrysler, as well as their dealership networks."

That assessment seems a little premature.

Lamh Foistenach Abu!
2 posted on 06/06/2009 3:07:45 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines, RVN 1969. St. Michael the Archangel defend us in battle!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson

I never thought I would see the day when Congress would be writing a letter to the President asking him to delay clousure of automobile dealerships. Welcome to Government Motors. Would you buy a used car from that man, Obama?


3 posted on 06/06/2009 3:08:46 PM PDT by kabar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson

I think growing cojones is next.


4 posted on 06/06/2009 3:10:01 PM PDT by Tax Government
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson

CYA, in a big, big way!


5 posted on 06/06/2009 3:12:03 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet ("The unarmed man is not just defenseless - he is also contemptible." Machiavelli)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson

I think the Democratic Senators are starting to figure out that if they kill the golden goose (the economy of course)... then nobody is going to be left to help finance their reelection campaign...


6 posted on 06/06/2009 3:12:51 PM PDT by John123 (Turn on your teleprompter Obama and read your lips... "No New Taxes!!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson
What ever made them think that anything about Obamunism was going to be economically sound?

The very definition of Obamunism is unsound economics.

Obama fools

7 posted on 06/06/2009 3:13:18 PM PDT by Bon mots
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kabar
Would you buy a used car from that man, Obama?

I actually saw this sign driving past a used car dealership the other day...

No Job? No Problem!

8 posted on 06/06/2009 3:14:16 PM PDT by John123 (Turn on your teleprompter Obama and read your lips... "No New Taxes!!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet
Got the feeling they found out there are even Democrat party workers who are involved in most of the closed dealerships. After all, it's always been traditional for the real ownership (usually the local lawyers) to keep that quiet and work in the background just picking up the profits as they happen.

Apparantly neither Obama nor any of the legal pukes he works with were ever cut in on the "way things are really done".

Now the Democrat party will pay.

9 posted on 06/06/2009 3:14:47 PM PDT by muawiyah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson

Screw those A$$hole$. They are complicite with all of the closings. After all, He’s their boy. They got him elected,
and they can now share in the blame.
I’m sure they are hearing plenty of howls from their constituants regarding this situation.
I hope the ball-less Repubs are paying attention to this.
Maybe they can use it to their advantage in 2010.

Nahhh, that’s expecting way too much.


10 posted on 06/06/2009 3:15:34 PM PDT by gigster
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson
........"We may consider legislative proposals to ensure that dealers and their employees are treated fairly, and we look forward to your timely response. ".............

Hoyer and gang are threatening Obama? Hmmm.
11 posted on 06/06/2009 3:17:44 PM PDT by Girlene
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson

How dare they question the boyFuerher?


12 posted on 06/06/2009 3:18:26 PM PDT by fortunate sun (Tell me what books you want to ban and I'll tell you what type of politics you hold.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: gigster

Majority of Chrylser dealers on the closing list are owned by Republican donors.


13 posted on 06/06/2009 3:18:44 PM PDT by PhiKapMom (Mary Fallin for OK Governor/Coburn for Senate 2010 ! Mark Rubio for FL Senate 2010!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson

This would also help kill off local newspapers, which get a lot of advertising from dealers. I’m sure the media companies that own those papers are concerned.


14 posted on 06/06/2009 3:18:54 PM PDT by Crawdad (If you're in a fair fight, your tactics suck.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PhiKapMom

Majority of GM and Chrysler car dealers in America are Republicans from the look of it.


15 posted on 06/06/2009 3:19:45 PM PDT by MHGinTN (Believing they cannot be deceived, they cannot be convinced when they are deceived.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson

All for show ... the democrat criminal enterprise knows the Democrat controlled Congress is going to get the blame for the affirmative action figure’s mistakes, because the enemedia isn’t going to let it accrue to their Marxist messiah.


16 posted on 06/06/2009 3:22:07 PM PDT by MHGinTN (Believing they cannot be deceived, they cannot be convinced when they are deceived.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jim Robinson
Unintended consequences should replace Obama's middle name while he's in office:

Barack "Unintended Consequences" Obama..... or

B.U.C.O.

17 posted on 06/06/2009 3:23:20 PM PDT by NotSoModerate
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MHGinTN

And they are donors to Republican candidates. That was a dumb move by ZERO, Emmanuel, and Axelrod as if they thought it would never come out.


18 posted on 06/06/2009 3:25:05 PM PDT by PhiKapMom (Mary Fallin for OK Governor/Coburn for Senate 2010 ! Mark Rubio for FL Senate 2010!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: gigster
Nahhh, that’s expecting way too much.

Sadly, right again.

19 posted on 06/06/2009 3:26:23 PM PDT by Navy Patriot (Prowd gaduate of a Calefornica publik skewl.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: PhiKapMom

I knew it was political when I saw the lists come out.
I was in the car business in the City of Detroit, for over twenty years.
Before anyone did any in-depth research, I said find out who was giving donations to the Dem/Socialists.
Or maybe it’s just a weird coincidence that all of
Mac McClarty’s dealerships, in numerous areas, have survived the ax.


20 posted on 06/06/2009 3:27:09 PM PDT by gigster
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-88 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson