On More Janesville GM workers get jobs in Fort Wayne

Posted on January 31 at 4:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I am not crying, but then again I left Janesville in 1987.

On Benefits will end in 2010 for many ex-autoworkers

Posted on December 22 at 5:38 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

As for those who like to stand up and represent the American tax payer keep in mind the wealthiest 1 percent of the population earn 19 per­cent of the income but pay 37 percent of the income tax. The top 10 percent pay 68 percent of our nation's taxes. The bottom 50 percent(those below the median income level) earn 13 percent of the income but pay virtually no income tax (3%). Often I find individuals who like to inform me how they are completely against the U.S. government using "their" tax dollars to bail out a failing automobile company. My point is not to debate whether a GM/Chrysler taxpayer-sponsored bankruptcy reorganization was the right/just/moral thing to do. Rather I would like to remind some that they may not actually be an "income tax-payer." -The above numbers were cited from the Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov).

On Benefits will end in 2010 for many ex-autoworkers

Posted on December 22 at 5:06 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

For years I have read and heard about GM employees making 95% of their pay while laid off. By the grace of God Fort Wayne experienced virtually no lay offs until American Axel went on strike in early 2007. At that time I ran the numbers based on a 40 hour work week and between Indiana unemployment and my sub benefit. My gross unemployment plus sub for being laid off was closer to 60% (less than) of my gross wages while working. My sub benefit was almost half of what my Indiana unemployment insurance paid. The math simply does not add up to 95% of MY gross, at least not in my situation. This does not include Federal, State, and local taxes which also must be deducted. My point is the bulk of what I receive is from the State of Indiana, not General Motors, not the UAW. Anyone laid off from any employer earning similiar wages in Indiana will receive the bulk of what I do. The sub benefit cannot be ignored, but it simply does not add up to 95% of a General Motors employee's gross pay.

On Benefits will end in 2010 for many ex-autoworkers

Posted on December 21 at 1:33 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

I'm actually impressed that there are not as many GM employee bashers posting, as there were this last summer when GM was facing bankruptcy. I moved from Janesville to Fort Wayne in 1987, but did not begin working for GM until 1997. Janesville will always be my hometown, but I am embarassed at the jealousy and pronounced hatred there is for a community's fellow neighbor. Like a post I saw about people in Missouri, most would be surprised at the heart-felt concern from people in other state's communities for General Motors employees, as well as anyone facing a job loss or forced relocation. I am surprised at how many people have no clue the pay or benefits that GM employees receive, nor do they care here in Fort Wayne. Often they tell me; "well, I couldn't do that kind of work for any amount of money." They are not referring to the difficulty of work a GM employee endures, but the mindlessness of doing repetative labor. Of course during times of tight labor markets, most will do whatever it takes to supply their family with a place to sleep and food to eat. General Motors employees (those who are left) are not out of the woods yet. I give the company 18 months to Chapter 7 (complete liquidation). I am thankful for the positive reports the media is giving The new General Motors LLC following the bankruptcy of General Motors Corporation this previous summer. At least the media is giving the company as well as the remaining employees a second chance, for which I will be forever grateful.

On $195 million not enough for GM to return to Janesville

Posted on July 8 at 11:49 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

It would be nice if some of these “Cap and Trade” supporters would use the money they save by driving Priuses to pay for the Janesville GM plant removal.

The area surrounding it to Kellogg Av. could be converted back to its “natural” state since much of it is a flood plain anyway.

Environmentalists are too concerned with having someone else pay for what they deem to be a hazard.

I have a feeling the Janesville plant will fall back with the “old GM” assets, sooner or later if it’s not already.

On Bankruptcy judge OKs GM sale plan

Posted on July 8 at 11:47 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

It would be nice if some of these “Cap and Trade” supporters would use the money they save by driving Priuses to pay for the Janesville GM plant removal.

The area surrounding it to Kellogg Av. could be converted back to its “natural” state since much of it is a flood plain anyway.

Environmentalists are too concerned with having someone else pay for what they deem to be a hazard.

I have a feeling the Janesville plant will fall back with the “old GM” assets, sooner or later if it’s not already.

On $195 million not enough for GM to return to Janesville

Posted on July 8 at 11:29 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

When I heard that GM was reconsidering Janesville on June 3rd, I thought it was a ridiculous notion.

It made no sense at any level. It now appears it was anticipated that TN was going to give nothing to retain a GM product.

They (Washington-No one inside General Motors makes business decisions any longer) needed states (verses any more Federal tax dollars) to anti-up $$$ to help fund this small car endeavor.

How anyone could be glad their community lost high $$$ jobs is beyond my comprehension. I am almost certain considering 50% of working Americans pay virtually NO FEDERAL tax, those here who love to use the phrase “not MY tax dollars” pay little or NO tax.

Just because one files a tax return yearly, does NOT constitute them as a TAX PAYER. By some of the comments posted here it is evident that some of these people have not figured this out.

On Janesville GM plant will not get new product

Posted on June 29 at 2:17 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Washington has been making the business decisions for GM ever since Obama fired Wagoner in March. This decision can be solely credited to President Obama and his Keystone Cop Car Czars.

On Are dads more involved in raising their children than in past generations?

Posted on June 26 at 11:50 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

This poll should not be used for some to grandstand on behalf of the perceived Mother Theresa angelic types. The “Welfare State” which began with the election of FDR in 1932 and was “enhanced” by the Johnson administration in the 1960s, took the father out of the parenting equation. The complete disregard for human life with the legalization of abortion in 1973 put the woman in total “control” of HER body. Never mind the fact that 98%+ of the impregnations aborted were through consensual means with a potential “would be” father. I thank God I was blessed with parents who NEEDED each other FIRST-long before they chose to become parents.

On Governor's reaction to GM decision

Posted on June 26 at 11:08 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

The politics played in this makes absolutely no sense. General Motors does NOT run GM any longer. Just because there are a few left at the TOP who were there under the GM nameplate means nothing about the corporate decisions being made today. Washington has pulled EVERY string since Obama dumped Wagoner in March. I’m sure Wagoner regrets asking Congress for any help last fall since GM ended up in bankruptcy anyways; and who couldn’t see that coming? Spring Hill TN made complete business sense. The decision to continue running a Michigan plant makes ZERO sense financially AND politically. Observe in recent elections: When the economy gets bad and Americans lose jobs; Democrats get elected to office. When things continue to get bad and eventually even worse; Democrats get elected to office. Case in point; the 2006 AND 2008 election cycle. Not to mention Michigan’s economy has been in turmoil for decades; and Michigan still continues to vote Democrat not only for Governor, but in the National elections as well. Tennessee being a RED state would have made more sense especially since the Governor is a Democrat. Obama as well as the supporting legislatures already have Michigan’s and Wisconsin’s full support no matter how the GM Janesville debacle turned out. Obama had a real shot at Tennessee in 2012 if he made the correct BUSINESS choice of locating small car production at the Spring Hill assembly plant. This still might not be over for Spring Hill TN, but unfortunately it was over for Janesville on December 23, 2008.