Auto Execs Fly Corporate Jets to D.C., Tin Cups in Hand

[ISUKappa]

Dee, I really appreciate your perspective, especially since you live so close to the situation.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by ISUKappa

Dee, I really appreciate your perspective, especially since you live so close to the situation.

Well, keep in mind that I am biased My dad was a GM man and almost everybody in the city where I grew up worked for GM. When he had to go on disability, he was the head administrator of marketing for the parts division. Since he was always in either marketing or market research for parts (Delco, when it was still Delco), we had some interesting stuff around the house growing up. We had a massive Delco spark plug inflatable pool toy that three or four kids could sit on. We had a fly shooter, like a pop gun almost, but with a fly swatter type circle on the end so you could sit a distance away and shoot a fly on the wall that had Delco on it. Weird marketing stuff..lol.


GM raised me, I owe them my health, my dental care, my college degree, etc. I do have a fierce sense of loyalty. In fact, I admire the loyalty that our parents had to their employers and vice versa. That's lost in my generation. I don't think anybody starts with a company these days and expects to be there until they retire. And, there are few rewards for doing that. You tend to move up the ladder and make more money by changing companies. Then again, the demands put on my dad.. the crazy travel, the hours he worked, etc. greatly exacerbated his heart condition to the point that his cardiologist said "You're never going back to work again". He had his first heart attack while on a business trip to Arizona. Even after that, he would go on crazy 10 day trips to Sidney and Tokyo and back home. He traveled about 75% of the time and when he was home, he worked 60 hour weeks pretty regularly.

It's very hard, it's very depressing around here. Every day you hear about someone else who is laid off in all industries because we are so dependent on the auto industry. It's what we did in Detroit. I don't know anybody who doesn't qualify for the employee discount for one of the Big 3. And, we know it's not done yet. There's a part of me that wants it to just be over.. let's get the cuts done, let them file bankruptcy if that's inevitable at this point, let's get it over with. It's kind of like watching a cancer patient die a slow, painful death and you get to the point where you want it over so you can try to pick up the pieces somehow. And yeah, I want to know if my oil changes and car washes are still going to be free for my new Saturn!

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by AGDee

It's very hard, it's very depressing around here. Every day you hear about someone else who is laid off in all industries because we are so dependent on the auto industry. It's what we did in Detroit. I don't know anybody who doesn't qualify for the employee discount for one of the Big 3. And, we know it's not done yet. There's a part of me that wants it to just be over.. let's get the cuts done, let them file bankruptcy if that's inevitable at this point, let's get it over with. It's kind of like watching a cancer patient die a slow, painful death and you get to the point where you want it over so you can try to pick up the pieces somehow. And yeah, I want to know if my oil changes and car washes are still going to be free for my new Saturn!

Thats the problem with SE Michigan, the local Gov should have tried to diversify the local economy by trying to attract new industries decades ago as opposed to just the last few years when it became painfully/FRIGHTFULLY obvious the manufacturing industry was leaving. I doubt they play them in Michigan but out here they have commercials promoting tax cuts for new high-tech/medical orgs to come to Michigan..it's too little, too late in my opinion. It's sad for Detroit, but remember the saying "don't put all your eggs in one basket"? Waaayy too complacent with relying on just one major industry, and now it's biting everyone in the ass there.

[AGDee]

You're right, Pika. It should have happened in the late 70's. I'm actually quite impressed with the efforts that Granholm is making here. She has been working very hard to recruit some new industries, especially on the "green" front. There is a company that makes wind turbines that is starting up here and one that makes the batteries for hybrids, and another that makes solar panels. That's the big push here right now, along with the Life Sciences Corridor. On the the plus side, my department is benefiting much from the sitmulus package as there are lots of funds for research and great opportunities for our primary investigators.

[UGAalum94]

I saw a Michigan tourism ad last night. I don't remember ever seeing one before.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

I saw a Michigan tourism ad last night. I don't remember ever seeing one before.

All we get here are the California tourism ads, which have gotten slightly annoying.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

I saw a Michigan tourism ad last night. I don't remember ever seeing one before.

I see them pretty often but I'm closer to Michigan. We also see Wyoming, Iowa, Wisconsin, Aruba, and California pretty regularly.

I will give Michigan this - I loved the Four Winds Casino. Maybe Dee or PM_Mama can answer this question - is that on a reservation?

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

I saw a Michigan tourism ad last night. I don't remember ever seeing one before.

I was watching the Travel Channel this weekend (Man vs Food marathon), and saw many Michigan tourism spots. Nice ads! We get California, of course, plus Alaska, Montana and Texas.

[AGDee]

The Michigan tourism ads you're seeing are part of the Governor's plan to generate some business here. After all, if none of us are working, we can't eat in the restaurants, etc. But, y'all can come here and enjoy it!

agzg: I know it's run by the Native Americans and I'm pretty sure all of their casinos are actually on the reservations land.