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Obama Says ‘Tough Decisions’ on Automaker Aid Now Paying Off

Bloomberg -- President Barack Obama said the “tough decisions” he made to give almost $60 billion in aid to the U.S. auto industry saved a million jobs and led to the strongest period of growth for automakers in a decade.

In his weekly address on the radio and the Internet, Obama said the help given to General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC have led to a “hopeful story” of economic recovery following the nation’s worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

“There’s no doubt that we have a long way to go and a lot of work to do before folks here and across the country can feel whole again,” he said in the address, recorded at a GM plant in Hamtramck, Michigan, yesterday. “But what’s important is that we’re finally beginning to see some of the tough decisions we made pay off.”


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Submitted Aug 01, 2010 By: ziyulu
Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics Add to favorite topics  
Author Topic: Obama Says ‘Tough Decisions’ on Automaker Aid Now Paying Off Post a Reply Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
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Spazz
Champion Author Virginia Beach

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Message Posted: Oct 3, 2010 8:05:59 AM

Ford still doing better without my taxpayer money
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Bonanza
Champion Author Boston

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Message Posted: Aug 4, 2010 6:12:27 AM

It may have saved some jobs, but there's more autoworkers out of work right now than ever before.
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geminijax
Champion Author Jacksonville

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Message Posted: Aug 3, 2010 1:01:44 AM

WonderfulMI:
"I know that the small vocal anti-Obama crowd would have preferred that Obama had done something else."
Yes! The thousands of investors (stockholders & bondholders, direct & indirect) would have preferred not getting the short end of the stick, so that the UAW could benefit at their expense.

"They would have preferred that Obama stop the Bush-bailouts, that the automakers go out of business, that millions more lose their jobs and homes, and that everything go to "heck in a hand-basket"."
You really don't understand business, do you? The D3, esp. GM, had been making poor decision for many years. They have shipped thousands of jobs overseas. They built cars that didn't sell well. Remember the Chrysler Pacifica, the Chevy SSR, to name a couple? GM lagged badly when it came to hybrids because Bob Lutz, the head design honcho, didn't think it was a good idea, even when consumers were standing in line for months to buy hybrids (made by their competitors). That's brilliant, isn't it? Then they built hybrids which were a sad joke.

"I prefer business and jobs to succeed, even if it doesn't make Obama look bad."
So do we! However, OUR money was used by Comrade Obama to bail out the UAW, which has been his big supporter throughout his political career. The D3 proved they could NOT compete in the free market, nor did they have the leadership to succeed. Ford changed by bringing in Alan Mullaly, who has worked wonders. For the first time in decades, GM has a CEO that hasn't "risen through the ranks". That's GM code for referring to someone who was continually brainwashed in the "GM way" before they became CEO! Take a good hard look at the CEOs GM has had for the last 20 years.

Now, with the upcoming "new" GM IPO, the UAW will rake in billions. That's the real deal brokered by Comrade Obama.
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dacofa
Champion Author Nevada

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Message Posted: Aug 2, 2010 12:10:51 PM

Like how to screw over Toyota sells, Oh a big Recall, or taxpayers money for R&D for a POS Volt car. Then lie to the public about the good times are a comin.
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remay
Champion Author Houston

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Message Posted: Aug 2, 2010 10:48:58 AM

"About $67 billion in loans and equity investments are still outstanding, according to administration figures."

I don't consider that as "paying off".
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Gary65
Champion Author Toronto

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Message Posted: Aug 2, 2010 12:39:53 AM

Consider the source of this claim.
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BlueVanGroup
Champion Author Colorado

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 11:04:14 PM

Jeff4U, you're not supposed to examine the results, just praise them for their "good intentions" (as in paving stones to ...).
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Jeff4U
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 5:31:03 PM

"we’re finally beginning to see"

WHAT I SEE:
1. Unemployment: the same
2. Rising cost of living at the same pay levels
3. Help for average citizens: non-existent
4. Business growth in limbo: uncertainty on regulations, taxes, banks unwilling to make loans, agendas like cap & trade, and upcoming health care costs.
5. Out of control government spending and deficit
6. A power hungry egotistical administration that ignores public opinion and blames Bush for all problems.
7. Freedom, rights, and The Constitution in jeopardy.

So I ask:
Exactly in what way has your life improved by "change"?


[Edited by: Jeff4U at 8/1/2010 5:31:44 PM EST]
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gs7101
Champion Author San Antonio

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 4:25:26 PM

I'm sure the people who had their jobs saved are extremely happy with the tough decision.
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gs7101
Champion Author San Antonio

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 4:24:58 PM

I sure the people who had their jobs saved are extremely happy with the tough decision.
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justjNM
Sophomore Author Albuquerque

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 3:31:32 PM

I still favor competition within a free market economy. Where does the bailout money come from if capitalism fails?
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SBlouch
Champion Author San Antonio

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 3:21:12 PM

What else do you think Obama would say? Do you think he would tell us if it didn't help as he used money we the TAXPAYER didn't want him to use.
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Dennis783
Champion Author Wisconsin

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 1:36:29 PM

Of course Obama would make us want to think that. He's just justifying his poor decision.
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Shane1936
Sophomore Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:34:34 AM

76chevy,

Your "handle" and comments about Ford indicate a very strong bias in favor of GM. Especially since Ford did not take bailout money and GM got the "lion's share". Are you signing up for one of the "affordable" $41k Volts? That one is going to need all the support it can get!!
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RabunDog
Champion Author Georgia

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:29:33 AM

I suppose anyone could run a company poorly and get bailed out by the govt/taxpayers and do OK for awhile - but unless they change their business model - they will continue to do poorly - except FORD
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Shane1936
Sophomore Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:25:52 AM

doc327hank,

Many thanks for your response to Gnusman53.

As for his remark "the best in 50 years", if you do the math, fifty-one years ago Eisenhower was president and I agree he was a better president than the present one! :-)
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jjjleblanc
Champion Author Rochester

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:19:58 AM

The economy might have done better if they gave it back to the people they got it from in the first place and let the automakers make the tough decisions. Giving away other people's money is not a tough decision.
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netman044
Champion Author Texas

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:18:21 AM

This is more feel good pr by an administration that is afraid of loosing control of congress in the upcoming elections
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4warned
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:09:04 AM

I have a friend that just bought a new Chevy two months ago. He has had it in and out of the service department 10 different times for different problems. Has G.M. really learned? You know the old saying only the strong survive. Think "Ford", no hand out taken and still surviving. They have also IMPROVED there product. I have never own a FORD but my next car most likely will be FORD.
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Cuzilla
Champion Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:07:16 AM

A direct intervention to bail out the UAW at the expense of all us out here that did not make fat paychecks by extorting GM. I'll never buy another car made by the UAW....EVER!
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TWS658
Champion Author Portland

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 10:01:48 AM

It is not the responsibility of our Government to bail out any business no matter how big or small it is.
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Tonester1
Champion Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:53:33 AM

Shouldn't the tax payers in some way benefit for bailing them out?
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101Speedster
Champion Author Ventura

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:52:31 AM

Lower taxes and stop the handouts if you want the recession to end!
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bikechuck
Champion Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:50:49 AM

A huge price to pay for the government take over of GM and other auto industries and now we shall see if the cars will sell. 'Saving jobs' comes at a high expense and at the detriment of other private sector jobs. Creating government jobs puts a drain on the economy and the private sector cannot afford it. Obama will solve that with enough bail-outs and rebates costing the taxpayers and their children and grandchildren deficits for many many years or possibly an economic collapse. Obama has surrounded himself with socialist (progressive) and some communist indoctrinated czars and advisors. Is this the way to go? Our U.S. Republic founders did not think so.
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Kato51
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:50:48 AM

I wonder how things will look when the handout money runs out. Boma hasn't shown me anything yet with the auto industry.
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WonderfulMI
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:50:38 AM

I know that the small vocal anti-Obama crowd would have preferred that Obama had done something else. They would have preferred that Obama stop the Bush-bailouts, that the automakers go out of business, that millions more lose their jobs and homes, and that everything go to "heck in a hand-basket".

I prefer business and jobs to succeed, even if it doesn't make Obama look bad.
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Hi1
Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:45:54 AM

WE HAD NO CHOICE WE HAD TO HELP THESE COMPANY OUT.
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seeyardee
Champion Author Sacramento

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:44:53 AM

It was a lot of money, but it just MIGHT be actually paying off. Time will tell.
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nozzle46
Champion Author Little Rock

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:44:46 AM

A million jobs. How much did each of those cost?
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rocket_ron
Champion Author Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:43:58 AM

It was a good investment in real American jobs.
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grandmacbc
Champion Author Buffalo

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:42:29 AM

Sure were tough decisions. The locals were the ones to be hurt not the top management. How many dealerships were forced to close and how many were put out of work of the little guys? The prices of the vehicles the automakers are putting out are not affordable for the little guys so I guess we'll just have to keep looking for the 'clunkers'.
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Zuman
Champion Author New York

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:38:12 AM

OK how many people are going to be able to afford the chevy volt and buy it ?

[Edited by: Zuman at 8/1/2010 9:38:34 AM EST]
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Ply440GTX
Veteran Author Kansas

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:37:46 AM

Ford was just lucky, this time. The 'perfect storm' just side-swiped 'em.
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twiper1
Champion Author San Diego

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:33:39 AM

Obama will tell you anything to make himeself look good
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DeepInOhio
Champion Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:32:48 AM

How long can the sheople who voted in Obama continue to believe that the governmental take over of the auto industry is "paying off" without creating new job?
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DerTaubman
Champion Author Detroit

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:32:40 AM

Chrysler is adding 900 jobs to the Sterling HTS. MI. stamping plant.
It's suppliers are expected to add another 500.
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hooter
All-Star Author California

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:31:59 AM

What a bunch of baloney. These stimulus programs are lotsa fun til it comes time to pay the bill.
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rippinusoff
Champion Author Lexington

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:31:25 AM

putting the horse before the cart...
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gronin
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:29:51 AM

How long is it going to continue without new jobs?
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garman87
Champion Author Austin

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:29:46 AM

Only time will tell.
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Spazz
Champion Author Virginia Beach

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:28:51 AM

Ford showing better profits then the others with no bailout money (i.e. your money).
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albert2008
Champion Author Winnipeg

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:28:49 AM

it was a big gamble
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9C1
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:28:43 AM

There is Bloomberg stirring up the right-wing crazies again.
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76chevy
Champion Author Toledo

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:28:31 AM

"MRED3" ....Union workers don't make off that well, new hires make far less. I used to do service calls on basicaly anything electrical/electronic. For years outsouceing has been increasing and automation. One day the "big three" will only assemble using mainly foreign parts. What's the difference between buying foreign brand or foreign parts? Meanwhile the CEO of Ford before they flew to Washington in corporate jets looking for a hand out was paid enough to payrole a plant of 250 working employees, plus Ford flys him, corporate jet, from Detroit to Washington state on top of his compensation! We can't afford to compete with China, thanks to Clinton, and support CEOs and politicians!
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1fulltank
Champion Author Buffalo

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:24:47 AM

Sure, the "strongest" period of growth in a decade is tempered by the STRONGEST period of decline EVER, with all Big Three automakers (and others) facing bankruptcy. Put all the facts together and you will see elections coming up somewhere.
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GGAlbo
Champion Author Detroit

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:23:52 AM

The decisions on Automaker was a no brainier, but the decisions on the banks was the biggest mistake in banking history!!!!!
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jhnh
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:17:36 AM

it is nice that GM and Chrysler still exist, and are starting to be profitable again
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karcabot2
Sophomore Author Little Rock

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:17:07 AM

I'm retired salaried delphi, how come I lost my pension and the UAW still has there's? Is that a union pay off or what??
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Rt118E
Champion Author Pennsylvania

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:16:29 AM

Only History can tell what was best to do.
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Dipstick1
Champion Author Amarillo

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Message Posted: Aug 1, 2010 9:16:01 AM

Yes, they are paying off in the form of 13 trillion of debt.
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