[nyconse]

I am sick of all the GM basing (and American car company)I have seen on this forum. Let me tell you...America is forced to take cars made by people who work for a bowl of rice or in China's case slave/prisoner labor. However, they don't reciprocate and take our cars...there is no such thing as the free market. We open our markets and the other countries don't. If American companies complain to the WTC...they don't do anything because this organization hates America. American companies are forced to morve their operations to foreign countries where they can manufacture cheaply and compete. The cars are probably not going to be better...certainly the foreign made parts flooding this country are not better. This economy is fueled by debt right now...it won't last. When you see car companies in trouble look out...they are usually the first to feel a recession and the last to see a return to profitablility. GM is moving jobs to China-who can blame them? Those of you who bash Unions and car companies don't get it. The global economy will not-in the long run help American workers. A number of great American industries have been destroyed-steel industry, electronic industry and garment industry to name a few. A country that sells hamburgers to each other and manufactures nothing will not be a great economic power for longnor will its workers prosper. If there was a real free market between peer countries it might work...but there is too much of a difference between wages, work conditions etc. for this to ever work; however, it will be devastating to all American workers in the long run.

[wrathof59]

I disagree. I live 8 miles from the Chicago/Hegewisch Ford Plant, which builds the Five-Hundred, my neighbor is in management and told me these are the shoddiest made cars out of the 60 year old plant. Earlier this year, 3,ooo were scrapped after production because of multiple quality problems.

The American consumer will buy quality and reliable cars at a good price, that is why Toyota, Honda and Nissan continuosly show profits.

Protectionism, as some posters are suggesting, would result in that same Ford plant charging 50% more for the same crappy car. I remember the 1970s and early 80s well, when AMC and Chrysler went out of business (Carter bailed out Chrysler, I never agreed with it).

I don't want to pay 30 grand for a 4 cylinder GM/Ford sedan that will be in the junk yard 5 years after I drive it off the lot, and neither do most consumers. Don't blame the consumer.

If GM and Ford can't compete, that's their fault, not mine.

[Last Dakotan]

Reform of this country's labor laws (ie. A Federal Right to Work Law) should be number one in laws Republicans past to re-industrialize this country. Ideally, tax reform, and then looking at the subsidies foreign governments use.

[pickemuphere]

I am sick of all the GM basing (and American car company)I have seen on this forum.

They deserve to be bashed. Any company that produces ugly garbage -- such as the "Pontiac Aztec" -- deserves what it gets.

[Flying Circus]

What a steaming pile of .... GM product. I personally am tired of all the pro-GM, pro-protectionism whining I am hearing around here. GM death is LONG overdue. They have been building $#!t, PURE $#!T, for decades. The Japanese and Koreans (and anyone else who builds a better car) deserve to eat the US car manufacturers lunch.

Other countries don't owe it to us to buy our cars if all we make is junk! Build a decent value car in the US and it will sell; continue to build the same noncompetitive crud Detroit has been churning out for 30+ years and don't be surprised when even people in the US decide they prefer a Chinese car.

We have choice to buy Japanese, Korean, German, even Chinese because this is a free market. US makers are not competitive in those markets for the same reasons they are barely competitive here... they cannot delver on the price or the quality other manufacturers do.

To save these industries (auto, steel, textile) we need to destroy the unions and reform the tax, regulatory and tort structures here. We cannot save industry and keep the US strong by protecting inefficient, expensive, nonproductive or non-responsive domestic producers and taking away the US consumers freedom to buy in the world market. That kind of protectionism will destroy this economy every bit as much as out of control credit. Nor can we afford to subsidize companies from the ever growing public debt. The best is to let GM et al. die.. they have long deserved their fate.

[varon]

Let me tell you...America is forced to take cars made by people who work for a bowl of rice or in China's case slave/prisoner labor. However, they don't reciprocate and take our cars...there is no such thing as the free market.

How would you expect a Chinese making $2.00 per hour or as you state "work for a bowl of rice or in China's case slave/prisoner labor" to be able to buy a car made in the USA by someone being paid $60.00 per hour?

The same holds true with our domestic market. All these millions of Mexicans working for discount wages can only afford used cars from the *Buy Here - Pay Here* car lots on payments with 21% interest.

Our big box stores need cheap Chinese goods that the Mexicans can afford. Of course a lot of middle class Americans get all giddy about the low prices and praise free market economies, capitalism, Gaya and The Man on the Moon for their good fortunes that they can by so much more now. What they fail to realize is they are buying crap and usually has very short utility span.

[Iscool]

The global economy will not-in the long run help American workers.

It took me a while to figure it out but I think I have...Everyone is shooting for the 'American Dream'...The American Dream means different things to different people...

From what I've seen, Republicans (not to be confused with Conservatives) strive to live the good life...Massive wealth is the American Dream to Republicans...At least the Neo-Republican types...

And you've seen many examples wandering thru these threads...Play the stock market...Doesn't matter whose stock as long as it pays good...Go into business for yourself...Make as much profit as you can, any way you can...And if you can hire illegal aliens, all the better...It's the money...

There's nothing as important as the money...It transcends borders, laws, sovereignty, charity, etc...

I am learning there are tons of people that will, and do welcome any Chinese product if they will benefit financially even if it destroys the fabric of this great country...Obviously, most all Republicans in our gov't share this American Dream...

To a Constitution loving, patriotic, America firster, this doesn't make any sense...And like they say, if it doesn't make any sense, there's a buck in it...

[SweetCaroline]

A number of great American industries have been destroyed-steel industry, electronic industry and garment industry to name a few....add the furniture industry to that!

[Straight Vermonter]

I have always been a loyal "buy American" guy. My thanks for this has been crappy cars. It doesn't matter if you are buying luxury or economy American cars don't compete in any sectors.

We are in the market for a new car right now and have not looked at any from an American car company. I have looked at several made in the USA by foreign companies.

[biblewonk]

America is forced to take cars made by people who work for a bowl of rice or in China's case slave/prisoner labor. However, they don't reciprocate and take our cars...there is no such thing as the free market. We open our markets and the other countries don't.

It's called capitalism which all good Freepers salute when they hear. People get to decide how to spend their own money.