Correct Wizard.
And how is that my problem? Am I supposed to be okay with an extra $5K bill because GM was learning?
If GM was going through a learning curve, they shouldn't have been selling cars coated with that paint process should they? Instead, I would submit that they should have gotten off their collective duffs several YEARS beforehand and worked the issues out; rather than waiting until they were forced to change because they thought fighting the regulation change was a better tactic.
Doug,
In my view the list is long regarding what needs to be done to turn things around. Unfortunately, I don't think the politicians nor most of the citizens have the fortitude to do what it takes.
A number of things need to happen to turn things around:
1 - The concept of the top bosses making unlimited salaries needs to end. NOBODY is worth 25, 50, 100 million a year or more - period! It's a direct drain on company resources that could be better spent on any number of things in the company. I don't give a flying rip how much "value" they bring to shareholders. I don't care if they shit gold, they're not worth that kind of money. If they think they are, then they need to be shown the door because they've never worked for a living.
2 - The concept of companies growing 20% year over year at any cost also needs to end. This means the snot nosed wallstreet and banker types need to be shown the door and only invited back once they truly understand the inner workings of the companies that they're providing analysis on. This means they actually need to go WORK for the companies for awhile so they have accurate insight into the inner workings.
3 - Unlimited corporate profit needs to end. I have no problem with companies making handsome profits, but I do have MAJOR gripes with a couple of companies that control the entire marketplace holding the public for ransom (think oil companies and financial markets here).
4 - People need to start taking responsibility for their actions and their own well being. While it's nice to think that the company will exist forever, someone who has worked their whole life should have been planning for their own retirement.
5 - The concept of management being against the employees also needs to end. In that process, the human resources industry as a whole needs to be dumped as most are doing nothing but taking up space in the gene pool. In return, employees need to stop suing for stupid stuff and company execs need to stop being greedy and step up to the plate and take responsibility when necessary.
6 - Individuals and companies need to lose the "i was a retard and burned my crotch by putting a hot cup of coffee there so I'm going to sue" attitude. The courts need to start running the attorneys that bring this stuff forward out on a rail. Individuals who promote this type of attitude should be heavily fined to the point where they stop clogging up the system and wasting everyone's time.
7 - People in general need to lose the whole "I'm going to exist on everyone else's tit" mentality.
8 - Start taking 100% responsibility for yourself and respect others and the environment in which you live. I don't give a flying rip if it costs extra $$$ to do the right thing, DO IT ANYWAY!!!!
9 - All of the tax loopholes for corporations need to be gone. Also all tax loopholes for overseas companies need to be eliminated. US companies need to be penalized for moving manufacturing overseas. Finally, equalization tariffs need to be implimented that equalize the wage differences between countries. For example, if China decided to artificially hold their currency valuation lower than the dollar, fine because their labor costs are going to be the same across the board. Only once this happens, will it be economically feasible for companies to pay employees a true living wage that also covers healthcare and retirement. This gets back to eliminating the expectation of constant growth with is not sustainable (see #2)
10 - Implement a flat tax across the board. No excuses, no whining, every person and company pays the same.
11 - Eliminate all lobbying and gifts in Washington DC. Someone gets caught either lobbying or accepting said gift (including campaign $$$) they go to prision. No if's, and's or but's... lobby or accept and you go to jail.
Please understand, I'm not going off at you Doug. I just am SO tired of listening to both sides, whether dems or repubs spewing their BS without fully understanding the consequences.
I feel badly for the GM workers who are taking it in the shorts right now and I understand that there are many good folks there also. I really do feel for them as it's beyond their control.
However, I took it in the shorts on a $28K truck that was my pride and joy and represented YEARS of descretionary income. Where is my satisfaction? Am I supposed to be okay with the fact that I was ripped off? Especially because someone else feels entitled? I don't think so.
I have NO remorse that a poorly run company has failed. And it should have been buried instead of propped up. Short of the Vette, GM hasn't been making anything that said "wow" for a long, long time. It's not hard to do, look at the Vette, look at Tesla motors, look at what Dodge has been doing, look at the VW diesels, etc, etc. Bottom line, management was inept and completely out of touch with the marketplace. Goodby GM so space will be created for a well-run company to fill the void.
This country is SO far off course it's ridiculous.
The capitalism model has failed. Not, oh it can work if only... IT HAS FAILED! Both sides need to get that through their thick heads and understand what it really means.
Turn off that fat POS limbaugh and coulter, choose the media that you listen to, or watch, VERY carefully and work at ferriting out what is really going on. Not what is being spoon fed by the media.
The two party system is dead and gone. There is one group of people in shadows running a big puppet show and most of this country is following right along the lines BS that they're spewing. I'm a dem, I'm a repub; i vote ALONG PARTY LINES.... STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!!!!! Bunch of freakin lemmings....
Wake up and smell the coffee because tomorrow we may not have any!
Again this is not directed at you Doug.
End of rant...
Steve