Wicker Reacts to Auto Bailout Defeat
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who was against the bailout for the Big Three automakers, reacted to the legislation dying in the Senate last night:
“I opposed this bill because I think it fails to get to the root of the problem. The Big Three were in financial straits before our economy slowed down due to a troubled business structure that ensured they couldn’t compete with other automakers. Now, they have asked for billions of dollars in taxpayer assistance to help survive. While the merits of using taxpayer funds to help save these companies can be debated, the fact is that this proposal falls well short of guaranteeing the needed reforms to keep these companies afloat. The U.S. government simply cannot continue to throw good money after bad using taxpayers’ dollars.
“Nobody wants these companies to fail. Government intervention with taxpayer dollars, however, was not their only route to long-term viability. Other alternatives discussed could have afforded these companies the breathing room needed to restructure their debt and labor obligations in order to once again become viable and competitive. However, these ideas were never brought to the floor of the Senate. “The Big Three have played an important part in American history and they continue to be a significant part of our economy. If tough choices are made, I believe they can and should continue to do so in the future.”
Now I don't know what your feelings are about unions, but let me tell you that if they are anything but supportive you are misguided. I ask you if it wasn't for unions would you be able to work and earn a decent living? Would you earn vacation time? Would you have the right to get sick and not lose your job? I could go on and on - the point is we have got to start beating the hell out of Wicker and Cochran about their stance on this issue. Other than the fact that the Repubs have traditionally been against unions these two are nothing more than shills for Barbour. Where is Barbour now? He is on a fact finding trip to Europe to try to entice foreign automakers to open plants in Mississippi. What is wrong with this you might ask? Two things come to mind - First they are non-union; Second - the state will have to give them huge tax incentives to bring them here. In other words - we the taxpayers of Mississippi will be paying them to come here and open plants that will have jobs that pay less than what a union shop would have.Workers at a non-union job do not enjoy many of the rights that a unionized shop has, i.e., the right to bargain for better wages; sick leave; vacation time; the right to strike without losing their jobs, etc.
We MUST fight the neo-cons on this issue and keep them from busting the unions. If it wasn't for the unions this country wouldn't be what it is.
