Six degrees of an American Autoworker

I bet I can put anyone within six degrees of an America Autoworker.

My husband comes from a long line of GM employees: his Grandfather, his Father, his uncle, his brother and his cousin all work or worked for General Motors, and so does my husband.

My Grandfather came to Canada from England and worked for Ford Motor Company.

My brother works at Chrysler.

I have some pretty strong feelings about what’s going on right now with the economy and the automotive industry.

** rant warning**

I’m confused why there was hardly any resistance to the banking industry bailout <- not a loan. But when one of our largest manufacturing institutions needs a LOAN, everyone's panties are in a wad.

The banking debacle has a major role in the auto industries' problems. Are they the sole reason? No, I didn't say that. But let's face it; this Wall Street crap has scared the shit out of everyone. I think even if they could, people are afraid to go any deeper into debt. Not that the banking industry (that was bailed out) is lending out any money anyway.

I know the auto industry is making changes. Kev, as a new hire is making one half what veteran employees are making. He isn't eligible for health care benefits for seven months, no dental for five years and there is no longer a defined benefit retirement package. If he wants a retirement program, he has to contribute to a 401… and all of us who have those know how well THAT'S working out.

If the auto industry goes down not only does my husband, my brother and my brother-in-law lose their jobs, but hundreds of thousands of others will be out of work too.

Let me explain… if Kev loses his job, Hunter will no longer go to Daycare. If enough people stop going to daycare… daycare workers lose their jobs.

Automakers put the autos together and suppliers make the pieces. No automakers means no suppliers. Don't kid yourself… there are suppliers everywhere.

Trucking companies take the parts from the suppliers and bring them to the automakers. No automakers, no suppliers… no suppliers mean no trucking companies are needed. No trucking companies mean no truckers.

Dealerships sell autos. No autos to sell, no dealerships. No dealerships mean no sales staff, no service staff and no office help; all now in the unemployment line.

All of these people out of work won't be paying taxes. That would be Federal, State or local government taxes. Lower tax collections mean lower funds to run the governments.

In Michigan cities like Detroit, Pontiac and Southfield where the community has a city tax and counts on that city tax to run, less services will be provided.

Communities where these automakers, suppliers and dealerships are located count on property tax from these businesses. The decreases in tax revenue will cause cuts in services these governmental units provide.

States would have to cut school funding; cities could make cuts in parks and recreation, in the public services like police and fire or anywhere in between. These cuts would create less funding for teachers, school supplies, after school programs, police and fire services. All of which could potentially create more job losses in those industries. More people in the unemployment line.

In 2007, General Motors alone paid over 10 million dollars in taxes just to the local school district, state education, county education and community college. And that's just in the form of property tax from one community. In 2006, General Motors paid over 20 million dollars in property tax to state and local governments just on property located in one municipality. Do you still think losing the America auto industry won't have an impact?

If our government allows the auto industry to fail, they have done a grave disservice to us all.

Epic. Fail.

I believe that with all my heart.

If you can follow my logic and you think our government should be helping the auto industry, I am asking you to go to this site and send a letter to your public officials. All you have to do is enter your name and address and the site will automatically generate emails to your U.S. Senators and Representatives. Literally it takes less than two minutes.

If you don't agree, that's cool too. Thanks for taking the time to read my rant all the way to the end.

Here's that link, thanks for listening.

http://gmfactsandfiction.com/

Peace,
~Sheryl

NaBloPoMo – day 18