Posted on 10/10/2012 2:45:27 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
......The UAW also advocates strongly for specific policies. In particular, it has lobbied Congress to pass Obama’s American Jobs Act, extend aid for the unemployed, refurbish urban transportation systems, update public school facilities and vacant apartment buildings, embrace progressive taxation, and provide funds to state and local governments.
A fourth and final strategy involves investing in green energy. The UAW has been vocal in its support of the 2017-2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, which reduce U.S. oil consumption by 12 billion barrels, slash greenhouse gas emissions by 6 million metric tons, and incentivize the purchase of electric and hybrid cars. This is not all environmental altruism: UAW President Bob King said the CAFE rules, finalized in August, “help propel the auto industry forward by giving American families long-term relief from volatile fuel prices.” He added, “Lowering the total cost of driving will make automobiles more affordable and expand the market for new vehicles.” One study by the BlueGreen Alliance projects that CAFE will create 570,000 jobs by 2030, “largely because consumers will spend less on fuel and more on other goods and services.” So it’s in the UAW’s interest to promote alternative energy sources—which it does not only through public statements like King’s, but through collaboration with companies that want to go green....
The question, though, is not whether manufacturing unions are adjusting to new realities: It’s whether they’re doing it fast enough. The institutions aren’t stodgy, exactly—but the fact that none of the UAW representatives I reached out to felt comfortable providing on-the-record quotes for this story indicates their wariness—and perhaps even shows a kind of insular suspicion. Under siege, the UAW has hunkered down behind press releases and prepared statements. Will it ever be able to move out of its defensive posture?
(Excerpt) Read more at hive.slate.com ...
Truth be told, if Forbes compiled a list of executives who made millions on “Green” technology without government subsidies, it would be a very short list – or no list at all." Taxpayers Subsidize Forbes 'Green' Billionaires' Schemes
..........“The Times/Zogby Poll found 29 percent of likely voters wanted to cancel tax breaks for corporate jets and oil companies — the targets of Mr. Obama’s tax-raising plan — while 21 percent agreed with Mr. Romney that the green-energy tax breaks should be done away with.
Another 20 percent wanted to see both oil and green energy tax breaks canceled, and 17 percent — about evenly split between Democrats, Republicans and independents — said taxpayers should continue to subsidize both....”
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/oct/8/obama-loses-lead-key-voter-issues/
I can buy a car for $20,000 that gets 35 MPG. Now the UAW tells me to buy an electric car that costs $40,000 and it will save me gas. That extra $20,000 dollars it costs will buy me enough gas in the $20,000 dollar car to last me many years. How am I saving anything?
The UAW wants to extend unemployment. It is now 99 weeks I believe, why not just extend it to lifetime. that appears to be what they want. If a person cannot find a job in 99 weeks, he isn’t looking very hard.
The new Cafe laws Obama self passed are BS, they cannot be met, people are driving older cars every day and will continue rather than put themselves in death traps.
DON’T ORGANIZE... JUST GO AWAY UNIONS!
LLS
The Geo Metro could get 50+ mpg back in 1988. The ford Fairmont was 21 city/33 highway.
Emissions regulations, corn in the fuel and crash tests killed the MPG cars use to get just a few decades ago.
Add in the tax credits and subsidies passed on to these "companies" (that come out of your pocket).
In a free market unions would form and dissolve as readily as businesses. You’d not see entrenched big unions, nor big corporations. They’re both not sustainable without government intervention.
The real problem is public sector unions, and off shoring does nothing to "help" that....
Ie; spend, spend, spend!
OPM!
The real problem is public sector unions,
...and the fleecing of the “public” through the misnamed collective bargaining in which the “public”/collective being fleeced, has virtually no input to the “bargain” which come out of the public pocket.
If I were a UAW member, reading this would make me see red. Sounds like the UAW is doing everything but actually look out for its members.
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