[chrisser]

We have similar histories - I’m also from a blue-collar family, worked my way through college.

Took awhile, but I make a decent living and I will likely continue to as long as I keep my skills current and can demonstrate my value to my employer.

I don’t harbor any resentment towards autoworkers for making what they do per se - I do resent the means they used to obtain that compensation. Its really too bad that they didn’t ditch the outdated and counterproductive mindset decades ago. Sure, the UAW might be half the size it is today, but those jobs, and their employers, would be secure, high-paying and profitable. The current situation is unsustainable, and has been for years. The unions could still be key parts of the solution, but its sadly unlikely that they will. Instead, everyone will lose - except the japanese manufacturers who will flood the vacuum that will be created as the Big 3 come crashing down - and that will happen bailout or no bailout, IMHO.

[freeplancer]

The unions is why “buy American” is BS.

[VOA]

I don’t harbor any resentment towards autoworkers for making what
they do per se - I do resent the means they used to obtain
that compensation.

Being from a blue-collar union family in the oil patch, I'm ambivalent
about the UAW.

But as for the GM management...I about had a heart attack when
I read that it was GM MANAGEMENT that came up with the "jobs bank"
concept (no work, no firing, just about regular pay for sitting
in a room reading magazines or going out to work for charitable
organizations...maybe the DNC?).
Some genius in GM management came up with the concept as an
enticement to get the UAW memebership to vote for signing a new
contract.
As I read that tidbit of American Business History in The Wall
Street Journal maybe two years ago... I thought I was having a
freakin' stroke.

If there is no bailout, it will be because enough people know
the history of the UAW...AND the management of GM/Chrysler/maybe Ford...
and will say "No bailout! A CURSE ON ALL OF YOUR HOUSES!!!

And call their Senators/Congress-Critters and say...
"Blow 'em up NOW...and start over again with a blank piece of paper!"