Thoughts about the Economy and the Camaro
10-11-2008, 12:30 AM
#1
ALMIGHTY MEMBER
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Detroit, MI USA
Posts: 2,301
Thoughts about the Economy and the Camaro
-- got a few notes from people....concerned about the economy and GM and whether or not this will delay the Camaro.
First -- let me make this perfectly clear: this is ME talking - and I am NOT speaking for the company I work for...........MY thoughts:
Let me quote our Chairman: "Bankruptcy is not an option......."
Those are pretty powerful words. I believe he's committed to doing everything in his power to turn this company around -- and the proof is in the cars and trucks we're coming out with.
(Fact: No one has more cars that get 30mpg or better than Chevy -- not Honda, Not Toyota -- not anyone.........................) (sorry -- just had to put that message in there.....)
Rick has lots of people criticizing him -- everyone seems to think they have the answer - the fact is that they don't have all the answers.
Will we ever declare bankruptcy?
Well -- 'never' is a realllllllllll long time -- so I will never say never.........but I think it very very unlikely.
The Economy is indeed in turmoil -- where will it end? No one knows.
No one.
That said -- while our business has taken quite a hit, we're moving forward with new products -- and one of them is the Camaro. There are no delays on the new Camaro. None.
Back to the economy...........
I have a real problem with many of our elected officials in Washington...
....I believe we:
-that's you and me-- need to vote a LOT of people out of office -- and we need to do it NOW.
I believe that there are people on Wall Street that need to go to jail. I believe that we need to use the 'claw-back' laws to 'claw back' the outlandish compensation that too many people have been paid. I'm sorry, but NO ONE is worth $50million in my book ...you may disagree and it's your perogative to do so..............
I believe in the United States of America.
I also know that the rest of the world is going thru what we're going thru.........and that is frightening.
I believe we've got some of the best business minds in the world - and I believe you'll see people work hard to solve our problems.
Now -- that said:
WE:
- that's you and me -- have some responsibilities.
It is NOT a God Given Right to live in this country and expect to have things handed to us.
WE:
-- that's you and me - have a RESPONSIBILITY to get ourselves to the polls on Tuesday, November 4 -- and vote RESPONSIBLY --
By 'responsibly' -- I mean none of this 'straight ticket' stuff - YOU NEED TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK -- and you need to be paying attention to where ALL candidates stand on a variety of issues. YOU NEED to look at the claims being made -- and you need to do your homework to see that some are outlandish...........and you need to understand that EVERYTHING comes with a price...........
WE:
-- that's you and me -- have a RESPONSIBILITY to work and sacrifice to see that our way of life is preserved. We must because, you see, many have given their lives so that we - that's you and me -- can have the best standard of living that the world has EVER known. Many millions more gave years of their lives and their health -- for the same reason.
WE:
-- that's you and me-- need to look at what's in the best interests of the country -- not just of what MAY be in the best interests of ourselves. (singular)
A personal word about health care:
Two years ago I had a heart problem. I was told that the "widow maker' was over 90% blocked -- and I was put in the hospital and I had stents put in.
It took less than 48 hours to get these stents.......and at the time one of my dear friends in Canada told me that there was a waiting list of over a YEAR for stents in that country.
(this is not a slam at Canada -- if I had to move to another country -- I'd pick Canada in a heartbeat -- love the country - love the people even more!)
Our Hospitals have lots of patients from all over the world - and the reason is this: we have the best health care in the world -- but the problem is the COST of health care.
Wanna know my thinking on WHY?
People can sue for millions for ridiculous reasons.
The older I get, the more I realize what I DON'T know -- but I know this: Pass Tort reform and our health care costs will come back to earth......
The Attorneys don't want this -- and they'll tell you that they're fighting for your rights (and perhaps they are...) but they're becoming very wealthy doing so. (this is not a slam against all attorneys -- esp. those of you who are my friends!!!) But it IS a slam at what I'll call "ambulance chasers"......
OK -- bet a few of you are sorry you asked.
AGAIN -- the opinions above are MY PERSONAL opinions - not those of the company I work for -- and my opinions and $2.50 will buy you a cup of coffee at one of those fancy-shmancy coffee shops..........
(......can someone please bring a fork lift over here and get the soap box out from under me??)
First -- let me make this perfectly clear: this is ME talking - and I am NOT speaking for the company I work for...........MY thoughts:
Let me quote our Chairman: "Bankruptcy is not an option......."
Those are pretty powerful words. I believe he's committed to doing everything in his power to turn this company around -- and the proof is in the cars and trucks we're coming out with.
(Fact: No one has more cars that get 30mpg or better than Chevy -- not Honda, Not Toyota -- not anyone.........................) (sorry -- just had to put that message in there.....)
Rick has lots of people criticizing him -- everyone seems to think they have the answer - the fact is that they don't have all the answers.
Will we ever declare bankruptcy?
Well -- 'never' is a realllllllllll long time -- so I will never say never.........but I think it very very unlikely.
The Economy is indeed in turmoil -- where will it end? No one knows.
No one.
That said -- while our business has taken quite a hit, we're moving forward with new products -- and one of them is the Camaro. There are no delays on the new Camaro. None.
Back to the economy...........
I have a real problem with many of our elected officials in Washington...
....I believe we:
-that's you and me-- need to vote a LOT of people out of office -- and we need to do it NOW.
I believe that there are people on Wall Street that need to go to jail. I believe that we need to use the 'claw-back' laws to 'claw back' the outlandish compensation that too many people have been paid. I'm sorry, but NO ONE is worth $50million in my book ...you may disagree and it's your perogative to do so..............
I believe in the United States of America.
I also know that the rest of the world is going thru what we're going thru.........and that is frightening.
I believe we've got some of the best business minds in the world - and I believe you'll see people work hard to solve our problems.
Now -- that said:
WE:
- that's you and me -- have some responsibilities.
It is NOT a God Given Right to live in this country and expect to have things handed to us.
WE:
-- that's you and me - have a RESPONSIBILITY to get ourselves to the polls on Tuesday, November 4 -- and vote RESPONSIBLY --
By 'responsibly' -- I mean none of this 'straight ticket' stuff - YOU NEED TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK -- and you need to be paying attention to where ALL candidates stand on a variety of issues. YOU NEED to look at the claims being made -- and you need to do your homework to see that some are outlandish...........and you need to understand that EVERYTHING comes with a price...........
WE:
-- that's you and me -- have a RESPONSIBILITY to work and sacrifice to see that our way of life is preserved. We must because, you see, many have given their lives so that we - that's you and me -- can have the best standard of living that the world has EVER known. Many millions more gave years of their lives and their health -- for the same reason.
WE:
-- that's you and me-- need to look at what's in the best interests of the country -- not just of what MAY be in the best interests of ourselves. (singular)
A personal word about health care:
Two years ago I had a heart problem. I was told that the "widow maker' was over 90% blocked -- and I was put in the hospital and I had stents put in.
It took less than 48 hours to get these stents.......and at the time one of my dear friends in Canada told me that there was a waiting list of over a YEAR for stents in that country.
(this is not a slam at Canada -- if I had to move to another country -- I'd pick Canada in a heartbeat -- love the country - love the people even more!)
Our Hospitals have lots of patients from all over the world - and the reason is this: we have the best health care in the world -- but the problem is the COST of health care.
Wanna know my thinking on WHY?
People can sue for millions for ridiculous reasons.
The older I get, the more I realize what I DON'T know -- but I know this: Pass Tort reform and our health care costs will come back to earth......
The Attorneys don't want this -- and they'll tell you that they're fighting for your rights (and perhaps they are...) but they're becoming very wealthy doing so. (this is not a slam against all attorneys -- esp. those of you who are my friends!!!) But it IS a slam at what I'll call "ambulance chasers"......
OK -- bet a few of you are sorry you asked.
AGAIN -- the opinions above are MY PERSONAL opinions - not those of the company I work for -- and my opinions and $2.50 will buy you a cup of coffee at one of those fancy-shmancy coffee shops..........
(......can someone please bring a fork lift over here and get the soap box out from under me??)
10-11-2008, 02:33 AM
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Posts: 73
If I get hold of a fork lift, I'm taking it to capital hill and removing a bunch of the dead weight I find there. When I'm done, if I've still got a working fork lift and the will power, I might try to find your soap box...LOL
Seriously, I think you made a great post and regardless of whether I agree with everything you said or not (which I do in this case), I think you hit on the key. It's not voting for who's popular, or who's already in office, or who's with got a particular letter by their name (D, R, I), but voting for who is willing to do the things that HAVE to be done in this country now if it's ever to survive beyond my lifetime.
I'm tempted to go on about the corporate pirates who are stealing the wealth from many American businesses while destroying the companies, but I'll stop here. On a different, but somewhat related topic, I will say that this "bailout" bill that got run through congress and the oval office is a prime example of how our current politicians are not looking out for us, they are looking out for the people who are padding their pockets. IMO anyone who voted for the bill should be voted out of office for not supporting the people of this country.
Seriously, I think you made a great post and regardless of whether I agree with everything you said or not (which I do in this case), I think you hit on the key. It's not voting for who's popular, or who's already in office, or who's with got a particular letter by their name (D, R, I), but voting for who is willing to do the things that HAVE to be done in this country now if it's ever to survive beyond my lifetime.
I'm tempted to go on about the corporate pirates who are stealing the wealth from many American businesses while destroying the companies, but I'll stop here. On a different, but somewhat related topic, I will say that this "bailout" bill that got run through congress and the oval office is a prime example of how our current politicians are not looking out for us, they are looking out for the people who are padding their pockets. IMO anyone who voted for the bill should be voted out of office for not supporting the people of this country.
10-11-2008, 06:17 AM
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 85
my sister in law is a doctor and owns her own practice.under obama's health care plan 60% of what the business earns may go to fund health care...canada is not what we want for a health care model..it is very very bad...another problem when gubment gets involved is payments for state insured recipiants take months to be sent...would you work now and then wait to get paid 6 months or more down the road?..i think not....single party vote is also a no-no for me especially on 2nd amendment issues...some repubs are just as bad on gun rights as the most left leaning socialist demos out there....now scott how does cordobavette or hemicamaro sound after recent merger talks with cerberus...
10-11-2008, 09:04 AM
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: FL/MI
Posts: 1,808
Well stated Scott.
I, like many others have been really clobbered in the stock market dive... < Think a nice new ZR1 price in losses so far>. My personal solution is to keep my focus, to work hard, and vote for who I believe is the best choice, not just the best speech maker.
I find it not the least amusing the political party making the loudest accusations at who is at fault for the financials crisis are the ones who did their utmost to force, that's right, FORCE banks and institutions to make BAD loans to people who couldn't afford them. Make no mistake... the other party sat by while it was going on, other than a few that did sound warnings about Fannie and Freddie... Subsequently, home property values rose to false, unfounded levels. People that couldn't afford the payment before getting the loan still can't afford it.
As a person who works hard, pays their bills, and judiciously lives within their means... I'm pissed to be forced to bail out those who have done none of these things.
I worked in England a few years ago... Nationalized healthcare? No way, no how. Government controlled healthcare is rationed healthcare. Costs will be controlled and that means reduced treatment or delayed treatment. Delayed treatment means you get your operation two months after your death.
I post these opinions not to inspire debate... if you disagree that is fine.
I agree that folks should do their homework and vote.
GM and bankruptcy? Not if I can help prevent it.
I, like many others have been really clobbered in the stock market dive... < Think a nice new ZR1 price in losses so far>. My personal solution is to keep my focus, to work hard, and vote for who I believe is the best choice, not just the best speech maker.
I find it not the least amusing the political party making the loudest accusations at who is at fault for the financials crisis are the ones who did their utmost to force, that's right, FORCE banks and institutions to make BAD loans to people who couldn't afford them. Make no mistake... the other party sat by while it was going on, other than a few that did sound warnings about Fannie and Freddie... Subsequently, home property values rose to false, unfounded levels. People that couldn't afford the payment before getting the loan still can't afford it.
As a person who works hard, pays their bills, and judiciously lives within their means... I'm pissed to be forced to bail out those who have done none of these things.
I worked in England a few years ago... Nationalized healthcare? No way, no how. Government controlled healthcare is rationed healthcare. Costs will be controlled and that means reduced treatment or delayed treatment. Delayed treatment means you get your operation two months after your death.
I post these opinions not to inspire debate... if you disagree that is fine.
I agree that folks should do their homework and vote.
GM and bankruptcy? Not if I can help prevent it.
Last edited by 1fastdog; 10-11-2008 at 09:07 AM.
10-11-2008, 10:16 AM
#7
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 206
My retirement savings/investments are down by nearly 40%. About $200K. I was hoping to retire in about 5 years. Not gonna happen now.
Even so, I bought stock in GM two days ago. The company is having problems now, big ones. But it's still a fine company, and I believe it's on the right track for long term success. I love the new Camaro and intend to buy one, but the future is fuel efficiency, and GM clearly understands that and is acting accordingly. I believe GM will be there in whatever new economy emerges from the current mess.
Scott is also right about one of the major problems with health care costs in this country. I'm a physician, and I pay enough in malpractice insurance premiums to buy a new Corvette every year. That's money I can't use to actually buy a Corvette or any other car or make any other purchase that would strengthen the economy. Multiply that by tens of thousands of physicians.
It would not only reduce health costs, but strengthen the economy to relieve us of this burden.
Thanks for the post Scott. May your stents stay open for many years to come
Even so, I bought stock in GM two days ago. The company is having problems now, big ones. But it's still a fine company, and I believe it's on the right track for long term success. I love the new Camaro and intend to buy one, but the future is fuel efficiency, and GM clearly understands that and is acting accordingly. I believe GM will be there in whatever new economy emerges from the current mess.
Scott is also right about one of the major problems with health care costs in this country. I'm a physician, and I pay enough in malpractice insurance premiums to buy a new Corvette every year. That's money I can't use to actually buy a Corvette or any other car or make any other purchase that would strengthen the economy. Multiply that by tens of thousands of physicians.
It would not only reduce health costs, but strengthen the economy to relieve us of this burden.
Thanks for the post Scott. May your stents stay open for many years to come
10-11-2008, 07:06 PM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 190
I can say with 100% certainty that the economy will recover. The only question is how long it will take. Specific to GM, the best chance of survival is to continue to add great products, get rid of the stuff that is not great and reduce expenses. Healthcare costs are killing the big three along with many other companies in the US. Neither canidate has a very good plan on how to fix this but Scott you are correct that the Canadian model is not really the answer. The fact is Canadians all have healthcare coverage but I doubt that any American would accept the wait time that they have for procedures and tests. A few years ago I read that Orange County California has more MRI machines then all of Canada. I also know that many Canadians with money end up coming to the US and paying cash so they don't have to wait for months to get care that they need sooner. The Doc above is correct that malpractice is one of the areas that we need real reform.
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