http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22488803/
Toyota is going to be #1 in the US shortly if GM doesn't hire Ol Swez & Mr B to run that thing soon.
END PROGNASTICATION
USFLAG
Replies (3)
swez on 01/4/2008 06:15:35
Yes, I read a similar page from AP off Yahoo.com.
Would you really want to run a multi-billion dollar company w/o a heavy background in enginering, finance, manufacturing expertise and deal with labor union issues to boot? These are huge juggernauts that have been stuck in the muck for many years. That would mean many tough decisions have to be made at the top of the Corporations and lots of lost jobs and benefits. (This is what they are now in the process of doing and it will take years to get it done)
All American car companies are like huge battleships and very hard to turn them around in a short time. To run a more efficient business model, that would mean a lot of factory automation, eliminating many manual jobs, outsourcing many services and getting rid of Labor Unions and the entitlement packages they are now saddled with.
Talk about being one of the most hated business leaders in America... that's what it would take! I do not envy Rick Wagoner or his tasks at hand. He's got a Madusa snake with many heads to lop off in the future to regain market share and once again dominate the market shares they once enjoyed so long ago. That means changing the entire company from the bottom up. Not an easy or short-term task.
On the upside, American cars are moving towars better reliabilty, MPG standards, EPA pollution standards and overall quality ratings now. The days of gas-guzzling, shabby quality and "Rube Goldberg" engineering tactics are coming to an end.
Look at the Consumer Electronics industries. The Japanese have studied our mistakes, remained nimble and have systematically pushed the US makers out of business and eaten our lunch. GE, Magnavox, RCA and Thompsen are practically defunct now. Today, it's Sony, Panasonic, Sharp, JVC and other foreign entities now dominate our once prominent domains. We gave it all away and Japan, China and Korea have the lion's share in all of these markets. Why? They collaberate, cooperate and share technology for the betterment of their mutual interests.
No thanks... this is a mess that power brokers on Wall Street and Washington DC have engineered to bring the US down to a 3rd world economy in time. "Globalism" is the trend of the future. Unfortunately, the average American is not able to see past their immediate needs/greed. The primary focus on Wall Street has been huge profits for the "have's" with money.
The "average American" will lose more ground in the future and the "Middle Class will either dissolve or elevate to the Upper Class, (In a few cases) but many will fall well below what they are accustom to and become part of a low wage "Service Sector". (A $60-70,000 wage earner will be displaced and get about 30% of the pie they once enjoyed.
Look around people... times are a changing and not for the better for the average American worker. We are falling apart at the seams by the 10's of thousands each year. The real problem is a lack of cohesion. Those who have the wealth/power, keep it for themselves. (I got mine now and to hell with others) The rest, have to fend for themselves as best they can and adapt to a much lower standard of living in the future.
"Mark my words"...the US is headed for a fall of epic proportions. Soon, it will be a 2 class system. (The majority will be worker bees. The minority will serve the wealthy as pawns and pleebs) If you cannot see this taking place now... you are in deep denial and it will hit you in the face with a vengence later.
The greater question is why? If one can figure that out, one may slow the decline... but as it stands, the US is doomed to the fate of the Roman Empire of 2000 years ago, if we don't wake up, wake up and make substantial changes, we will fall from power and become pawns of a larger plan... Global governance.
Sorry to be so glum. But greed and power have corrupted all levels in our society. We need a new direction and it all starts at the root. Everyday people are pwerless on their own. But if we bind together, break the greed and power mongering we have held in high esteem for too long, we have a fighting chance.
Swez
PS Wake up before it's too late!!!
MrBrownstone on 01/4/2008 12:56:15
Hey, can't we just refinance our way out of this?
swez on 01/4/2008 14:53:04
That's the whole problem... our economy is driven by credit. Our govt is in debt up past our eyeballs and yet, they keep spending, borrowing, printing more money and creative financing deals just boomarang later when it's time to pay the piper. That day is now here. Look at the Yen/Euro/Can/ US dollar ratios now. I have never seen them this out of whack in 30 years. The Yen is almost on par with the penny. (109 Yen now equals 100 US pennies) 20 years ago the Yen was 140 +/Dollar.
Up until a year or so ago, the US dollar was worth about $1.6 CAN. Now, we are almost at par. I cannot recall that ever happening in over 30 years???
The newest creative blunder on the radar is purchasing/trading "Carbon Credits". What kind of Happy Horse Manure is that?
Our air is still filthy. Our water supplies are contaminated and our ground in some areas are so badly damaged, nothing will grow in that soil for 100 years. (Especially in larger Urban areas that used to have lots of industry and manufacturing) That's changed a lot in the past 10 years and we now buy most manufactured good from overseas.
It never ceases to amaze me how deep a hole we have dug in so many areas. Greed is the word on Wall Street and has fueled much of it as have stupid/greedy politicians that lined their pockets with taxpayers hard earned monies.
It's getting worse and I sure hope American's wake up, rise up in mass and put an end to all this exploitation and greed. It's time for a big change. The good ol boy networks in Washington, Big Business and Wall Street have practically dismantled us, (John Q. Public) back into the stone age. It boggles the mind to think just how deep in debt America really is.
Our children will not be able to foot the bill either as there are far less of them now. About 30 years ago, there were about 10 workers paying taxes and SS to every 1 retiree. Now, that ratio is under 3:1 and dropping fast. By 2015, that ratio will be more like 2.2:1.
Anyway, our nation is well on its way to financial and productivity self-castration. Sadly, less than 10% of the population are running the show while 90% are footing the bills. What's wrong with this picture?
OK, some of you young guys are just not able to see the trajectory we have been on for the past 30 years. As long as one has a decent job, a reasonable standard of living and a few credit cards, all seems fine and dandy. Well, it's NOT. Until things hit a person square in the face and knocks the wind out of us, we are content with business as usual. (I was content too... but that changed in 1999 when I got a pink slip)
"Sorry Swez, the company has fallen on hard times and we have a 20% cut in payroll to survive". Here's your last check, thanks for 13 years of excellent service and good luck.... but don't let the swinging door hit you in the butt, on the way out". Well, that was a real whack in the skull and I have yet to recover from it.
The odd thing is, there are many late 40-ish to 60 year olds that are in the same boat. We cannot find jobs that pay very well these days. Heck, we'd gladly take a job that pays 50-60% of our former earning. But many I know, are barely making ends meet on less than 25% of their former earnings and the skills and talents they have accumulated, mean nothing in today's marketplace.
Somethings dreadfully wrong with this situation and more older workers have been added to the "below poverty" list in the past 5 years then since the Great Depression. We are able and willing to work. They have many life experiences that would contribute well to most any company that hires them. They know the value of working hard, putting in a full days' effort for good days' pay and show up for work everyday!
But alas, too many are cast aside to do meanial and low paying jobs that most hate, but need to pay the bills to survive. We aren't in Kansas anymore Toto!
Sigh... things sure suck when the bottom falls out and there is little opportunity to get back in the game again. Look around fellas... this could happen to you as well. The best laid plans of mice and men, do fall apart at the least opportune times. (Shakespere said that... not me)
End rant,
Swez
Toyota is going to be #1 in the US shortly if GM doesn't hire Ol Swez & Mr B to run that thing soon.
END PROGNASTICATION
USFLAG
Replies (3)
swez on 01/4/2008 06:15:35
Yes, I read a similar page from AP off Yahoo.com.
Would you really want to run a multi-billion dollar company w/o a heavy background in enginering, finance, manufacturing expertise and deal with labor union issues to boot? These are huge juggernauts that have been stuck in the muck for many years. That would mean many tough decisions have to be made at the top of the Corporations and lots of lost jobs and benefits. (This is what they are now in the process of doing and it will take years to get it done)
All American car companies are like huge battleships and very hard to turn them around in a short time. To run a more efficient business model, that would mean a lot of factory automation, eliminating many manual jobs, outsourcing many services and getting rid of Labor Unions and the entitlement packages they are now saddled with.
Talk about being one of the most hated business leaders in America... that's what it would take! I do not envy Rick Wagoner or his tasks at hand. He's got a Madusa snake with many heads to lop off in the future to regain market share and once again dominate the market shares they once enjoyed so long ago. That means changing the entire company from the bottom up. Not an easy or short-term task.
On the upside, American cars are moving towars better reliabilty, MPG standards, EPA pollution standards and overall quality ratings now. The days of gas-guzzling, shabby quality and "Rube Goldberg" engineering tactics are coming to an end.
Look at the Consumer Electronics industries. The Japanese have studied our mistakes, remained nimble and have systematically pushed the US makers out of business and eaten our lunch. GE, Magnavox, RCA and Thompsen are practically defunct now. Today, it's Sony, Panasonic, Sharp, JVC and other foreign entities now dominate our once prominent domains. We gave it all away and Japan, China and Korea have the lion's share in all of these markets. Why? They collaberate, cooperate and share technology for the betterment of their mutual interests.
No thanks... this is a mess that power brokers on Wall Street and Washington DC have engineered to bring the US down to a 3rd world economy in time. "Globalism" is the trend of the future. Unfortunately, the average American is not able to see past their immediate needs/greed. The primary focus on Wall Street has been huge profits for the "have's" with money.
The "average American" will lose more ground in the future and the "Middle Class will either dissolve or elevate to the Upper Class, (In a few cases) but many will fall well below what they are accustom to and become part of a low wage "Service Sector". (A $60-70,000 wage earner will be displaced and get about 30% of the pie they once enjoyed.
Look around people... times are a changing and not for the better for the average American worker. We are falling apart at the seams by the 10's of thousands each year. The real problem is a lack of cohesion. Those who have the wealth/power, keep it for themselves. (I got mine now and to hell with others) The rest, have to fend for themselves as best they can and adapt to a much lower standard of living in the future.
"Mark my words"...the US is headed for a fall of epic proportions. Soon, it will be a 2 class system. (The majority will be worker bees. The minority will serve the wealthy as pawns and pleebs) If you cannot see this taking place now... you are in deep denial and it will hit you in the face with a vengence later.
The greater question is why? If one can figure that out, one may slow the decline... but as it stands, the US is doomed to the fate of the Roman Empire of 2000 years ago, if we don't wake up, wake up and make substantial changes, we will fall from power and become pawns of a larger plan... Global governance.
Sorry to be so glum. But greed and power have corrupted all levels in our society. We need a new direction and it all starts at the root. Everyday people are pwerless on their own. But if we bind together, break the greed and power mongering we have held in high esteem for too long, we have a fighting chance.
Swez
PS Wake up before it's too late!!!
MrBrownstone on 01/4/2008 12:56:15
Hey, can't we just refinance our way out of this?
swez on 01/4/2008 14:53:04
That's the whole problem... our economy is driven by credit. Our govt is in debt up past our eyeballs and yet, they keep spending, borrowing, printing more money and creative financing deals just boomarang later when it's time to pay the piper. That day is now here. Look at the Yen/Euro/Can/ US dollar ratios now. I have never seen them this out of whack in 30 years. The Yen is almost on par with the penny. (109 Yen now equals 100 US pennies) 20 years ago the Yen was 140 +/Dollar.
Up until a year or so ago, the US dollar was worth about $1.6 CAN. Now, we are almost at par. I cannot recall that ever happening in over 30 years???
The newest creative blunder on the radar is purchasing/trading "Carbon Credits". What kind of Happy Horse Manure is that?
Our air is still filthy. Our water supplies are contaminated and our ground in some areas are so badly damaged, nothing will grow in that soil for 100 years. (Especially in larger Urban areas that used to have lots of industry and manufacturing) That's changed a lot in the past 10 years and we now buy most manufactured good from overseas.
It never ceases to amaze me how deep a hole we have dug in so many areas. Greed is the word on Wall Street and has fueled much of it as have stupid/greedy politicians that lined their pockets with taxpayers hard earned monies.
It's getting worse and I sure hope American's wake up, rise up in mass and put an end to all this exploitation and greed. It's time for a big change. The good ol boy networks in Washington, Big Business and Wall Street have practically dismantled us, (John Q. Public) back into the stone age. It boggles the mind to think just how deep in debt America really is.
Our children will not be able to foot the bill either as there are far less of them now. About 30 years ago, there were about 10 workers paying taxes and SS to every 1 retiree. Now, that ratio is under 3:1 and dropping fast. By 2015, that ratio will be more like 2.2:1.
Anyway, our nation is well on its way to financial and productivity self-castration. Sadly, less than 10% of the population are running the show while 90% are footing the bills. What's wrong with this picture?
OK, some of you young guys are just not able to see the trajectory we have been on for the past 30 years. As long as one has a decent job, a reasonable standard of living and a few credit cards, all seems fine and dandy. Well, it's NOT. Until things hit a person square in the face and knocks the wind out of us, we are content with business as usual. (I was content too... but that changed in 1999 when I got a pink slip)
"Sorry Swez, the company has fallen on hard times and we have a 20% cut in payroll to survive". Here's your last check, thanks for 13 years of excellent service and good luck.... but don't let the swinging door hit you in the butt, on the way out". Well, that was a real whack in the skull and I have yet to recover from it.
The odd thing is, there are many late 40-ish to 60 year olds that are in the same boat. We cannot find jobs that pay very well these days. Heck, we'd gladly take a job that pays 50-60% of our former earning. But many I know, are barely making ends meet on less than 25% of their former earnings and the skills and talents they have accumulated, mean nothing in today's marketplace.
Somethings dreadfully wrong with this situation and more older workers have been added to the "below poverty" list in the past 5 years then since the Great Depression. We are able and willing to work. They have many life experiences that would contribute well to most any company that hires them. They know the value of working hard, putting in a full days' effort for good days' pay and show up for work everyday!
But alas, too many are cast aside to do meanial and low paying jobs that most hate, but need to pay the bills to survive. We aren't in Kansas anymore Toto!
Sigh... things sure suck when the bottom falls out and there is little opportunity to get back in the game again. Look around fellas... this could happen to you as well. The best laid plans of mice and men, do fall apart at the least opportune times. (Shakespere said that... not me)
End rant,
Swez
Copyright ClubKnowledge 2009 * All Rights Reserved
