Looks like GM and Chrysler are toast

[Force Commander]

Michigan dealer hammers Sen. Shelby over his comments on the car companies, via a commercial!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJI1L7_9 ... r_embedded

[genlock]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- General Motors Corp. is recalling 1.5 million vehicles because of potential engine fires.

GM says there have been no reports of any fires or injuries.

Some of the recalled vehicles are no longer in production. The recall includes the 1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue, the 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix, 1997-2003 Buick Regal, and the 1998-2003 Chevrolet Lumina, Monte Carlo and Impala.

It involves vehicles with a 3.8-liter V6 engine. The government says drops of oil could fall into the exhaust system and cause a fire in the engine

Burn toast on hood.

[Bob Campbell]

Back to the RTW versus shop states. North Carolina is a right to work state and has a higher unemployment rate than WV. You might check Mississippi's unemployment rate also. And get ready to check any state with a Honda or Toyota plant.
RTW versus Union is a fun talking point for the right wing, but there are no facts to back it up.

[Hoosier Daddy]

"Right to Work" is another machine gun in Corporate America's anti-union arsenal. Created by savvy labor attorney/lobbyists, Right to Work is a tool to divide and conquer unions within the workplace, and to weaken or dismantle any new worker organization drive. Right to Work is a smart-sounding but incorrect definition. It should actually be "right to have a job where a union fought for my salary, my benefits and the protections I will enjoy but I never have to join the union or pay dues or participate in the union and I get to have all the benefits anyway". In essence, a freeloader.

If you're so strongly anti-union, then don't apply for any job where a union represents the employees. It's that simple. Go back to Wal-Mart or McDonalds.

[genlock]

Right to work is poison to lazy and incompetent (union) workers
and their labor union overlords. Think of it. The ability and right
to be employed and have a chance to succeed and grow within
your chosen career without the burden of lazy co-workers and crooked
union bosses to hold you back. Say what you want, union slaves, the future is clear.
Crooked unions and their lazy, incompetent followers are doomed.

[cgarison]

Back to the RTW versus shop states. North Carolina is a right to work state and has a higher unemployment rate than WV. You might check Mississippi's unemployment rate also. And get ready to check any state with a Honda or Toyota plant.
RTW versus Union is a fun talking point for the right wing, but there are no facts to back it up.

The problem with Honda and Toyota is that they have contractors with no benefits build cars at $10.00/hour. If you look at Toyota's employees that work on the line compared to the costs of Ford/GM/Chrysler, you will find that the price of labor/hour is within a buck our two.

I am a little lost with the supposed facts that are being tossed around in DC by dumb senators and congressman because for the most part, they are inaccurate.

[Hoosier Daddy]

I've been a member of three different unions, and none of them had overlords.
Employee laziness and office politics occurs in every occupation and every workplace.
Not excusive to union workforces or closed shops.
Saying every union operates like the worst of the worst of the worst example you can find is like saying every business operates like AIG or Enron.
It's just rhetoric used to whip people up and get them to follow your anti-union ideology.

Again, if you are strongly anti-union, then simply refuse to work anywhere that has a union.
That's the BEST example of "Right to Work".
McDonalds is hiring every day.

[fearpeddler]

BUT it is harder to fire a lazy union worker than an non union one, or so i've heard.....

[Hoosier Daddy]

BUT it is harder to fire a lazy union worker than an non union one, or so i've heard.....

You can fire anyone for just cause, union or non-union. In a union environment, the employer usually has to demonstrate just cause, and they have to hear the employee's side of it -- something that doesn't always happen in a non-union environment. Discipline should normally be progressive, meaning a reprimand or a suspension is given for minor to moderate offenses, allowing the employee a chance to straighten up. Repeated disciplinary issues on the same employee almost always lead to termination. The biggest problem in a union environment is that supervisors don't do their job and intervene when problems begin. "I'm the boss and I'll do what I want when I want" is not a good management tactic regardless of whether the employees are unionized or not.

[rfhertz]

Unions are a Pox on the FM radio dial.

[rfhertz]

Unions are a Pox on the FM radio dial.

[CoolBreeze]

Jeep Recalling More Than 47,000 Models

Chrysler is recalling over 47,000 models, including the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Commander, and Wrangler four-door that may have reversed wiring on the driver's airbag controller, a defect that may inhibit the airbag's deployment. Additionally, the 2002 and 2003 Jeep Liberty models sold in New England and much of the Midwest are susceptible to a loss of lubrication in their front ball joints due to salt. The remedy for both recalls is a trip to the dealer, who will inspect and make any necessary repairs.

Summary:
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 4,336 MY 2009 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, COMMANDER AND WRANGLER VEHICLES. WIRING MAY BE REVERSED ON THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE DRIVER AIRBAG SQUIB CONNECTOR. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.

Consequence:
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

[sportsvoice]

That ball joint recall happened some time ago I think...I remember having to take my '03 Liberty back to the dealer to have that checked.

[Force Commander]

Unions are a Pox on the FM radio dial.

You must not listen to Rush. Unions are a Pox on the AM radio dial.

[AmpedNow]

I love this thread... Never die.

Bouncing back to another topic within the topic:

I'm getting sick and tired of the anti-Toyota, and anti-import mantra that is growing louder and louder.

Agreed. I love my Honda Accord (and it's nearly ten years old). What's more, whenever my current car gives up the ghost, I'll probably buy *another* Honda Accord. Quality breeds loyalty.

After much research, I have concluded that the Civic is the Cadillac (There's you a bone, GM...) of economy cars, with the Corolla being a close second.

I don't care for the design of the new Accords. The front ends look weird to me... But the Civics are hot. Very well engineered, too.

The problem with the 2009 Corolla is that Toyota kinda rushed it to market a few months ahead of schedule to compete with the new Civic, suggesting that it will be very buggy. 2010 or 11 will be the time to buy Corolla again, after they get that crap worked out.

For now, the Civic is king of the compacts.

[genlock]

I have a size problem.
A lot of these cars are too small for me to fit in.
I am tall in the upper torso so I need headroom, lots of it.
So which of these cars are "roomy".
I am not a Marine, my comfort is important to me.

[AmpedNow]

Totally understand. Compacts are not practical for everyone, although some have more room than you would expect.

I'm not an anti-SUV nazi, either. I don't care what people drive. But, I am very practical minded, so I can't help but think a Hummer in the Starbucks drive-thru is a little bit overkill, considering they were totally designed for off road use.

I never liked SUVs, or anything that sits too high. I could see myself owning an F-150 or Tacoma someday, but pickups are very practical, esp if you need anything moved...

Otherwise, it's coupes and sedans all the way. 40+ MPG highway is nice, too, but that's just because I can't afford an Acura TL...

[genlock]

A guy down the road has a Ford Excursion 4X4, 2003 model for 8,500$.
I guess I won't buy it tho.
Probably will look at a pickup. Toyota, Tacoma (small pickup).
I will wait till my Nissan dies.

[Bob Campbell]

Back to the RTW Union debate. In a right to work state, you can be fired without cause. Boss gets up, decides, "I fee like whacking somebody today", fires you, you're out of luck.

[CoolBreeze]

But isnt that all up to you? I mean, if you're really valuable to the company... if you're making them money, that wont happen. And if it DOES happen anyway, I'm sure other companies would want your skills. If they don't, maybe you weren't that valuable in the first place. There's something great about being a free agent, but few were cut out to follow that route. Most people are designed to be slaves to the system (like government workers) and rightly so. That's why the Union not only protects the skilled worker, but the dumbass goldbrick also.