There are great social questions being asked at this point in our American history. Things seemed so clear after WW2. The communists were the bad guys, the capitalists were the good guys. The Russians and Soviets were demonized; Uncle Sam, Apple Pie and the American way were deified. The mass appeal of the United States was always that hard work, self-reliance and the free market would work to the advantage of all Americans. Those long-held assumptions are being subject to the light of truth and in some cases, are coming crashing down like lightning from the heavens. What ever happened to providing a decent wage for a hard day's work? What ever happened to the belief that hard work, frugality and good living would lead to a self-sufficient, proud, self-sufficient way of life? Too many proud, self-sufficient Americans are now suffering the ramifications of capitalism gone bad. Too many of our brothers and sisters, and sons and daughters have discovered our capitalist systemn is no guarantee of the "good life". The bottom line is simply this: "What benefits one benefits all" and "what hurts one (through selfish greed or whatever), hurts us all." Example: "What is good for GM is good for America."

MrBlack stated that he wondered why the governer wasn't involved in all this. In fact he HAS been. He created the coalition in the first place and was with it at the first meeting back in Nov i believe. the coalition gets input from all side. Government, private business, UAW reps, and county. they have done a great job and no matter what the outcome, should be thanked.

JimP: I beg to differ and I am a business owner. Wisconsin is not a business friendly state and could stand to learn a lot from our neighbors to the West (Minnesota) and South (Illinois).

Let's hope that this works out for Janesville.

excellent post jimP

Where are all the people for the last 40+ years that said, Janesville would be better off if GM left and closed their doors? Well, that has happened and now all I read and hear are people complaining that GM is gone and wishing GM would come back.

I would love to see Janesville get the product as well. There have been many people that have said that Janesville would have to sell they're soul to do it--I laugh at that....No soul selling will be required. Realistic wages and benefits in line with other factory work are concessions that need to be made in order to make this company leaner and profitable. If GM would be allowed to reopen this plant w/ $14/hr. jobs and a matching 401K, the company would save millions in labor and, at the same time, have a line of people waiting around the block to apply........

Wisconsin does not tax businesses to the max!

Many business services like advertising, computer consulting and accounting are untouched by the 5 percent sales tax. Other sales tax exemptions include all manufacturing raw materials, pollution abatement/waste treatment/and recycling equipment.

For smaller businesses or corporations doing business ONLY in Wisconsin, paying their income tax is pretty straightforward and void of clever loopholes. Wisconsin’s flat corporate income tax rate at 7.9 percent with "separate reporting" seems fair when compared with our flat rate neighbors like Illinois at 7.3 percent and Minnesota at 9.8 percent.

On the other hand, huge national corporations with subsidiaries in multiple states like those listed below use a variety of perfectly legal shenanigans (Las Vegas loophole) to shift profits and thus avoid paying any Wisconsin income taxes through separate reporting.

According to Department of Revenue 2003 records, 62 percent of Wisconsin businesses paid absolutely NO corporate income taxes. McDonalds, Merck, Microsoft, Pepsi-Cola, Kimberly-Clark, Kohls, Snap-On Tools and Johnson Controls were in this list.

Source:
http://www.newsofthenorth.net/article/Co...

Also see: The Big Myths about Taxes and Spending in Wisconsin

http://www.cows.org/pdf/rp-bigmyths.pdf

This is GM's chance to fleece the state and next will be the selling of one's soul by the local union. I've said it before it is all about who will give the most not location, work force, etc.

I find it amusing that so many of us want LESS government in our lives, yet the minute there is trouble we blame the government and want help from the very same government we criticize. We can't have it both ways people. If someone should be arguing for bringing production of small cars to Janesville's assembly plant, it is the employees that have been affected. Not politicians. God Help us.

Would you want Doyle in the room if you were the others?

Not to burst anyone's bubble, but what puts this state above the other areas? They tax businesses to the max and the liability insurance is much more than other states. My other question is why isn't the governor involved with this?

It's just sickening the way they are leaving three communities hanging like this. I know they are only doing this to get the best deal they can with some competition but it could be done behind closed doors so all these families are not left in limbo.

Let's keep our fingers crossed this isn't the first time the plant has made a drastic change to product line up.