11-18-2008, 11:32 AM | #71 | |
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Quote:
We are definitely becoming dependent on imports as a post-industrial consuming nation. Dependency makes us the victim of foreign markets, foreign governments, and foreign security issues. It has compelled the United States to become very active abroad, and that is good for hegemony as it eliminates national security threats early in many cases, it also promotes nationalist movements that may eventually rise against us—realist theory, applied to economics. I threw out a long period of time, 8 years, somewhat arbitrarily. I apologize for that. The truth, though, is that the market can't handle that many unemployed people in the US. Some countries do have that many people unemployed, and society has adapted to that with different standards of welfare. The US has very low welfare standards compared to Europe, and that is due to our flourishing economy. When a gargantuan influx of unemployment hits the market, it will annihilate a lot of industries that are otherwise unrelated to cars. Places that usually do well regularly will see 5 million less customers in the long run. With the pay the UAW has demanded in the past, I can imagine that those sales will be above average in size. Plus, there aren't 5 million mid-level jobs to replace 5 million entry-level or mid-level employees in related industries. I have trouble believing that a factory supervisor, for instance, will want to work at Taco Bell after building cars all his life. We have to consider that these are specialists who have skills and experience that can't really be applied to very many industries outside of the automotive world. We did start down this road a while ago. Domestic companies sold fleets with intention but build whatever they felt was appropriate without much regard for market change. This trend could have been better followed, but I find it impossible to predict this market collapse. We have to give GM, Ford, and Chrysler for building cars that compete with the competition. It hasn't always been that way. I think we need to forgive them for their past mistakes and realize how important to America they really are. Just working in this country make them important because there are so many of them.
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11-18-2008, 11:34 AM | #72 |
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Drives: 2013 Sonic RS MT Join Date: Dec 2007
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This isn't the first time the auto industry has gotten a similar loan. And each time they pay it back early with interest.
So, yes, I'm assuming that the Auto industry is more honest about their current situation than banks are being. And will be able to use the loan to weather the current storm, retool factories to allow them to meet new CAFE standards, and pay it back. Additionally, I make that assumption based on the fat trimming that has already taken place, and the new products already in the pipeline which move them in concert with the market demands. And to be clear, "being able to pay back the loan" is the assumption any lender makes when loaning money. That doesn't change the fact that, as it is currently being proposed, it is a loan and not a gift/bailout. Which means the big three are expected to pay it back. The real question is, will this loan keep them from filing bankruptcy or not? If you think they will go bankrupt, don't loan them the money. That wouldn't make sense.
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