SouthernCEO

Friedman: The U.S. Needs to Stimulate Innovation and Invention

303820- You can't blame businesses for moving jobs to China. We, the American public, made this decision. We wanted cheaper products and business gave us what we asked for. Wal-Mart is number one because we the people shop there. Wal-Mart had to pull out of Germany. The prices were less but the Germans didn't shop there so they had to close up. I buy American when I can but as long as the consumer doesn't care jobs will still be moving over seas. With that said we still have to compete. I will pay more for a better product but I will not buy inferior stuff just because it is made in America.

Friedman: The U.S. Needs to Stimulate Innovation and Invention

Moose- The oil thing is not as easy as you might think. As a fuel it can be replaced but most of our plastics, synthetic materials, and lots of chemicals are oil based products. In fact, many of them are by products of fuel refining and would not be economically fisable if it weren't for the fuel refining part of the business. I totally agree that we need to look past oil and all fossil fuels but at this point in time it's just not possible. Look at a wind powered plant. The blades are a carbon based material, it is painted with a carbon based material, and it is internally lubricated with a carbon based material, the insulation on the wiring is also a carbon based product all derived from oil. If you make these products by themselves without the refining part of the process the costs will be astromomical and the largest part would now be hazardous waste. What happens to all of our heavy equipment? Trucks, tractors, locomotives, etc can't run on batteries. If we reduce refining down to a point where this fuel becomes a specialty chemical it would destroy the economy as we know it. It guess the bottom line is that we need to use what we have until the technology is in place to make a rational change. Forcing change just for the sake of change just won't work. Look at Spain. Since they went full tilt for the green thing they have lost over 100K jobs, the price of electricity has risen out of control and their CO2 production is 50% higher today than in 2001. I applaud their ideas but the technology isn't available yet and all they have done is spend money that, had they waited, could have really made a difference.

Is U.S. Starting a Trade War?

This is a little simplistic. Most people living in any of the 50 states are still Americans. Michigan doesn't have a different culture or value system or speak a different language than, let's say, Vermont. What about national security? If we can't produce tanks, missles, ships, etc cheaper than another country then we are supposed to buy these from others? Also, what happens when we have to stand on our own and since we long ago abandoned a business we no longer have the expertise' or experience to make what we need? This country was founded by self reliant people, and the more you can do for yourself the more control you have over your own future and freedom.

What About Product Liability Claimants in Automaker Bankruptcies?

Kind if ironic. A bunch of lawyers cut another bunch of lawyers off at the knees. I'm sure that there are a few legitimate lawsuits that got thrown out but how many more were just frivolous junk and should have never been heard? I have no sympathy for the lawyers who took this stuff on a contingency. You rolled the dice and lost.

Ohio Attorney General Objects to GM Sale on Grounds 'Franchise Contract Changes Unlawful'

The Ohio Ag is wasting his time. This is a Federal gig and state law won't be much of an issue.

Un-American Government Intervention

Since we have now further destroyed the sanctity of the contract what's next? Attorney client priviledge? Spousal priviledge? Once this door is open nothing is now out of bounds since it can be done for the "Greater good". Karl Marx would be proud.

Ford Realizes Higher Transaction Prices

If things don't change Ford may well find themselves selling their soul to Uncle Sam. I hope not.

'What's Good for GM Is Good for America' Just Isn't True

I certainly hope that GM makes it but I hold little hope. Nothing has fundamentally changed. People are not buying cars in the quantities necessary to keep GM going. The UAW has given up little and the bailout has turned many against ever buying GM again. GM needs new and I mean new management. They need to clean the slate and find guys who have been successful in the car business. Don't go to Harvard and recruit from the next MBA class. Get veteran winners and get them now. After the right people are in place get them out in the field. GM's execs need to go to their dealers and meet their customers and then shut up and listen. If GM wants to really find out why Americans are buying foreign cars they need to ask them. No need for expensive marketing studies, just ask your customers. My customers have no problems telling me what they think or what they want or what they expect. The problem with asking your customer is that he will tell you the truth. Most of the execs I see today don't have the guts to hear the truth. Sorry boys, it's a little thing called leadership. Never order your people into battle, lead them.

The Detroit Syndrome of Economic Failure

Glen L. You are unfortunately correct. We are paying for the sins of our fathers.

Outsourcing Grows as a Business Strategy

As a business man I can say that until we stop raising taxes on business and stop with all of the red tape then jobs will go overseas. Businesses will go where they are treated best. It just costs too much to do business in the US for many industries. Go buy an American made TV, radio, shirt, pair of shoes, etc. Sure we can make that stuff but we can't do it at a profit.

'Government' Motors or Ford: Which Automaker Will Remain Viable?

I still love my Corvette. I don't like little, powerless, shoebox cars. Never have and never will. I drove a Prius and a Fit and a Smart. No thanks. I'm not sure I would drive one if it was free. Why not let the consumer decide what he wants? If someone wants a small car great if they want something bigger great. Why does anyone, especially the government care what I drive? The whole gas millage thing is a lie. The government collects billions in tax on gas. They may not want you to drive your car but they want you to buy all of the gas you can. So now we all drive little cars. Who pays the taxes then?

GM and China: What Are They Thinking?

This is the "Change" I was afraid of.

Administration Official: Chrysler Bankruptcy Could Last Two Years

If there is a CPA or tax lawyer out there I need the answer to a question. With the way the government is acting can I write off my income tax as a bad investment?

Defending the UAW, Felix Salmon Abandons Logic

Unfortunately, as far as Chrysler and GM are concerned it's not about not wanting to fulfill an obligation, it's not being able to. The bond holders are due all of their money and the workers are due all that is in their contract but the reality is there is no money. None of this was a consideration in the beginning. No one thought things would ever get this far out of line. I drive American cars so I hope they both make it but this is going to hurt. The UAW and bondholders might as well get used to that fact. I do believe prolonging the pain will be in neither's best interest. I remember when the union at Eastern Airlines wouldn't budge. The airline folded and the workers lost their jobs. This was stupidity on both sides of the bargaining table. The way things are today there is no us and them. Both management and labor need to get over themselves before there is no auto industry left to save.

GM Bankruptcy: An Inflection Point for Underfunded Pension Plans?

Years ago checks were written that now can't be cashed.