Best-Selling Bumper Stickers at the Republican National Convention

Denise Lockwood (Editor) August 31, 2012 at 01:03 pm

http://gazettextra.com/news/2008/jun/03/janesvilles-gm-plant-close/
Both of you are sort of right. The plant closure was announced in 2008 while Bush was in office, but the product line was continued until 2010 while Obama was in office. But, the kicker is that the decision to continue operations was made to continue operations while Bush was in office. This discussion begs the question of what role the two president's played in their respective presidencies... but the biggest question is -- if government should have no role in business, should or could they have been saved? It's clear from the GM Pres statements though that the decision was market driven. Here's what the pres of the company said at the time: GM President Troy Clarke said the automaker’s forecasts necessitate one-shift production in Janesville into 2010. “At the end of the day, this segment of the marketplace has almost collapsed,” Clarke said. “The decision is how we allocate our capacity.” GM officials also said today that the plant’s medium-duty Isuzu truck line in Janesville will end production by the end of 2009. It employs fewer than 50 workers. GM last spared the Janesville plant in 2005, when it pledged a $175 million investment to retool the plant for the newest version of Chevrolet Suburbans and Tahoes and GMC Yukon XLs and Yukons. That product is expected to expire in 2010, as is the Janesville plant.

Denise Lockwood (Editor) August 31, 2012 at 01:04 pm

By the way..... would really love to see better discussions happening.

Bob McBride August 31, 2012 at 01:16 pm

Attached to junk like this, Denise?
As long as this is the kind of stuff that passes for content, you can expect to continue to be disappointed by the discussions.

GearHead August 31, 2012 at 01:18 pm

@Bren: Destroyed? Probably not. But thankfully with the adults in charge, I see the Dem party marginalized for a generation or so. Think of it decending into a circus side-show. You know, where you find the freaky stuff.

The Donny Show August 31, 2012 at 01:18 pm

Obama stood at the GM plant in October 08 and said plants like these will stay open under his Presidency. GM put the plant on the watchlist in 08. It closed in 09. Gets your facts right Jason.

Bren August 31, 2012 at 01:25 pm

I think Jason is a fantastic satirical writer. I always enjoy your articles, Jason. The comments demonstrate your effectiveness in achieving the goal of satirical writing! Please continue!

Bren August 31, 2012 at 01:35 pm

JMB, your misconception is misconceived! ; ) I believe everyone realizes that the bailout saved GM from going under and taking approximately 1 million direct and indirect family sustaining jobs with it. The lessons of the Great Depression include the need to keep able-bodied people working, to pay back taxpayer dollars spent in taxes, and to avoid social unrest. Personally I'd rather spend $25b on helping my fellow Americans than overpaying mercenaries in Afghanistan when U.S. soldiers have actual training and would do a far better job.
I'm interested in this idea that Obama is a "corporatist." Who do you believe is behind ALEC and the Tea/GOP obstruction in Congress? ALEC is a special interest group whose mission is to write/promote Big Business-friendly legislation for its legislative members. It's like complaining about the "liberal media" when the media is owned by AOL/Time Warner, GE, News Corp., etc. Most are major international corporations. The health insurance industry is out of control, and the banking industry needs to have certain regulations re-established. I absolutely agree that it's time to "wake up America." Let's not allow the greatest nation on earth to be consumed by greed.

Bren August 31, 2012 at 01:38 pm

Anti, Of the major U.S. automakers, Ford has targeted and become a huge force in Europe and Asia. There are GM automobiles overseas but are luxury or delivery vehicles. Ford has worked very hard to create affordable cars sized to the markets. The Ford Focus, for instance, was a very popular family sedan in Britain when I was last there.

Bren August 31, 2012 at 01:42 pm

Freaky stuff, you mean like the Magical Secretion? That's pretty freaky.
I think a generation of one-party domination could do irreparable harm to our democracy--either party. Our government was structured for deliberate reflection, rigorous discourse and ultimately compromise, not rubber stamping hastily-conceived measures. I am very concerned about the loss of balance that some here prescribe.

Bren August 31, 2012 at 01:45 pm

Bob, you are being harsh. Why don't you write an article? It's not easy.

Bren August 31, 2012 at 01:47 pm

Steve! This is the funniest comment you have every written on Patch. I don't often laugh out loud in front of my laptop but you forced it out of me. Well done! ; )

Bob McBride August 31, 2012 at 01:48 pm

How would you know, Bren?

James R Hoffa August 31, 2012 at 02:32 pm

@JB -
Funny, Hoffa noticed the same thing!

James R Hoffa August 31, 2012 at 02:44 pm

@Bren -
Funny how Carter saved Chrysler under Iaccoca and all the direct and indirect jobs back in '79 without doing a behind closed doors in a smoke filled back room crony deal with the UAW, Italians, and Canadians, supervised by a self-appointed cars czar. It was just a straight up interest bearing loan with a defined repayment schedule - simple, to the point, and the taxpayers recovered every penny invested and actually made money off the interest charged. Under Obama's deal, the taxpayer lost billions while the UAW, Italians, and big money private investors were allowed to swoop in and start profiting right away, all for themselves. Essentially, Obama just handed the UAW, Italians, and big money private investors billions of our tax dollars. How do you defend this action? I thought you were against giving tax dollars to greedy and corporatist special interests? Could you explain without shifting the subject or going into a story about a close family relative's personal experience? Thanks!

Steve ® August 31, 2012 at 03:04 pm

$5.99 I accept paypal

Bren August 31, 2012 at 11:59 pm

Bob, I've written articles for print--to do it right takes a great deal of time and research, interviews, analysis, etc. For what it's worth I would be very interested in reading an article by you, whenever you have time to write and post one.

Bren September 1, 2012 at 12:03 am

I met a German tourist in Spain who cautioned us to be careful when ordering in restaurants. He tried a specialty of the house which was described as "rabbit of the roof." Stringy, but not too bad. It wasn't until a bit later that he figured it out. Meow!
Point being, there are different palates for different cultures.

Bren September 1, 2012 at 12:06 am

How about a funny video instead? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/30/colbert-mocks-paul-ryan-ayn-rand_n_1842877.html

Bren September 1, 2012 at 12:17 am

Mr. Hoffa, Chrysler is beginning to pay back funds. As of earlier this month, GM is at $ .90 USD/share: http://money.cnn.com/2012/08/02/news/companies/gm-earnings/index.htm
And for any who believe that Obama is receiving direct political benefit from GM for the bailout, guess again: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/25/general-motors-political-donations_n_1699638.html Darn! No personal story to illustrate my point? Because I was just about to share that I drove past a GMC truck this afternoon.

Bob McBride September 1, 2012 at 12:19 am

Tell you what, Bren. You show me one of yours with your byline attached and I'll consider doing one.
And, yes, it's obvious a lot of time and research, interviews, analysis, etc went into this wonderful piece.

James R Hoffa September 1, 2012 at 12:45 am

What Bren really means is that it's OK for the libs to rip on Romney for the treatment of his family's dog, but the conservatives have no right to attack Obama for eating dog.

James R Hoffa September 1, 2012 at 12:52 am

@Bren -
Again, you didn't directly answer the question. Instead, you just dodged and deflected. Under the way Obama did the bailouts, the taxpayers will lose out on billions - this is not contended by anyone, it is a FACT. http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120813/AUTO01/208130392 Obama could have done the bailouts the way Carter did his and the way that Bush had originally set-up the bailouts to be, whereby the taxpayers would not have lost out on any money at all, but actually made money on the interest payments realized. Now, again, please answer the question without dodging, deflection, or shifting the subject.

Greendale Dad September 1, 2012 at 02:10 am

Take heart Jason. Republican Lindsey Graham (S.C.) said it best this week: "The demographics race we’re losing badly, We’re not generating enough angry white guys to stay in business for the long term.” That might actually make a good bumper sticker too.

Greendale Dad September 1, 2012 at 02:13 am

Funny that Hoffa just keeps missing the point. Obama, as a child, was fed a plate of something he was later told was dog meat. Mitt Romney, as an adult, strapped a dog to the top of his car on the freeway, only stopping to hose the diarreah out when the dog soiled itself. I can't even imagine how hard you have to want to spin something to even try to make the two equivalent. The GOP spin is dizzying. Dizzying.

Greendale Dad September 1, 2012 at 02:18 am

Jason, keep in mind their presidential candidate admitted that fact checkers have no bearing on his campaign. You expect better from his minions? If the leaders aren't ashamed to be spewing lies (Guiliani on Ryan's speech: "Well, look, when people give speeches, not every fact is always absolutely accurate.” ) Then you can't expect the followers to be any more devoted to accuracy.

Greendale Dad September 1, 2012 at 02:21 am

In the world of "A picture is worth a thousand words," I give you the good folks of the Janesville Plant, Dec 23rd, 2008:
http://gazettextra.com/photos/galleries/last-day-gm/3119/

$$andSense September 1, 2012 at 02:36 am

Glad you respond to your handle. Like it? I like the non-sense thing as it gives credence to my posts and having merit worthy of getting your angst. Alright!
You are the fool as you know nothing of my political leanings other than you are a make believe "conservative" wannabe spouting what ever crap you are fed, living third person through some sorry ass union boss that got his pay day. Sorry about your old man VN vet losing his job at GM. Kinda sucks being a dyed in the wool union lackey getting kicked out of town. Just like the state and local gov't union "thugs". Right?

The Anti-Alinsky September 2, 2012 at 09:01 pm

It figures $$andNonsense likes Jason's bumper stickers.
. . . . . . He's not funny either.

$$andSense September 3, 2012 at 02:15 am

Saul
"It figures $$andNonsense likes Jason's bumper stickers. He's not funny either." ... Like your buddy Doofa, your comprehension skills are not good either. I never posted anything about Jason's posting other than I laugh at humor delivery, not the content. Learn to read and process the info. Lighten up boy or you like Doofa will die early in life. Just found out this pm that Doofa is a 30 something genxer. You fit that mold too or too just too bully to admit your youthful ignorance?

The Anti-Alinsky September 3, 2012 at 06:49 pm

Exactly Bren, and all without Federal money!