Rep. Ackerman: Auto Execs’ Private Jet Travel Like Guy At ‘The Soup Kitchen In High Hat And Tuxedo’
Rep. Ackerman: Auto Execs’ Private Jet Travel Like Guy At ‘The Soup Kitchen In High Hat And Tuxedo’
Today, the CEOs of the Detroit Big Three returned to Capitol Hill to ask for $25 billion in loans. Testifying before the House Financial Services Committee, General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner insisted, “We’re all slashing back” on non-essential expenses, promising, “We’re going to be dramatically leaner.” The other executives echoed Wagoner’s pledge to be “leaner” in the future.
However, as ABC news reported last night, all three executives flew private jets to Washington, DC, for yesterday’s and today’s hearings:
Wagoner flew in GM’s $36 million luxury aircraft to tell members of Congress that the company is burning through cash, asking for $10-12 billion for GM alone. … Wagoner’s private jet trip to Washington cost his ailing company an estimated $20,000 roundtrip. In comparison, seats on Northwest Airlines flight 2364 from Detroit to Washington were going online for $288 coach and $837 first class.
Minutes after Wagoner claimed to be “slashing back” on expenses, Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY) evoked their private jet travel, calling it a “delicious irony.” Ackerman said the CEOs’ profligacy made Congress “a little bit suspicious” of their austerity pledges:
There’s a delicious irony of seeing private luxury jets flying into DC, and people coming off of them with tin cups in their hands, saying that they’re going to be trimming down and streamlining their businesses. It’s almost like seeing a guy show up at the soup kitchen in high hat and tuxedo. Kind makes you a little bit suspicious as to whether or not…we’ve seen the future. There’s a message there. Couldn’t you all have downgraded to first class or jet-pooled to get here? It would have at least sent the message that you do get it.
Watch a portion of Ackerman’s comments that aired on Fox News:
Later in the hearing, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) asked if any of the executives planned to sell their private jets; none raised his hand. Sherman was exasperated: “I don’t know how I go back to my constituents and say, ‘The auto industry has changed,’ if they own private jets which are not only expensive to own but expensive to operate and expensive to fly here rather than to have flown commercial.”
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Rep. Ackerman: Auto Execs’ Private Jet Travel Like Guy At ‘The Soup Kitchen In High Hat And Tuxedo’»
– - The auto execs must think they’re dealing with Monopoly money.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:26 pmThe CEO of a Major Industrial CorpoRation is the modern equivalent of secular princes, or cardinals in the Church. They talk about getting “leaner,” but what they mean is that the PEASANTS will get leaner. Hell, they might even die of ‘lean-ness,’ if everything works out just right…
They’re all dancing around the real issue: how to dis-Unionize the industry.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:30 pmIt’s not JUST the auto execs, though. It’s ALL the big money corporate overlords. Their “cutbacks” and getting “leaner” are not, in any large corporation, affecting the top paid personell — it will always be at the cost of the lowest employees and at the cost of cheaper products. NONE of the big corporations (or banks and loan intitutions, for that matter) “get it”.
Greed is the God that rules America.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:31 pmtobacco industry stood in front of congress and lied…….
November 19th, 2008 at 2:32 pmfinancial industry represented by paulson stood in front of congress and lied….
auto industry stood in front of congress and lied……
ANYONE receiving, or wanting to receive, bailout (taxpayer) money should be scrutinized like this — not just the auto industry.
Bare bones bailout, or nothing.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:32 pmThat might be a problem for them in the new America.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:33 pmHank’s passing that Monopoly money out to his High Hat and Tuxedo friends in the financial sector. The Carlyle Group’s Boston Private Financial Holdings is getting $153 million in TARP money.
These guys don’t even need it, unlike big auto. BPFH CEO said TARP funds would bolster its “already strong capital postion”. Boston Private caters to high net worth individuals and institutions.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:33 pm“The Borgen Project has some good info on the cost of addressing global poverty.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:35 pm$30 billion: Annual shortfall to end world hunger.
$540 billion: Annual U.S. Defense Budget.”
Their sense of entitlement boggles the mind.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:35 pmWall Street CEO’s and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are racing to the lowest global common denominator on worker pay and benefits.
Who met last night with CEO’s at a Wall Street Journal sponsored event?
November 19th, 2008 at 2:36 pmMy how times have changed. In the Darth Raygun era we would have heard questioning like Ackerman’s from the Republicans in Congress not the Democrats. Now that the tide and tables have turned and the Democrats acting fiscally conservative. At the same time the Republicans are probably all waiting for the hearing to end so they can ask the Big 3 CEOs to borrow their private jets so they can travel to Dubai for aa brain storming session on how to win back the middle class.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:36 pmZooey Says:
ANYONE receiving, or wanting to receive, bailout (taxpayer) money should be scrutinized like this
Not JUSt scrutinized: they should be investigated and audited, with prosecution for any mishanding of finances, and there should be salary caps put on the top paid personell (which, in ALL cases SHOULD involve mandantory pay reduction and reduction of benefits). Oh, one could go on, but what’s the point. They may not get all their bail out money, but they will still get something (and probably what they want, which is a weakening of the unions). We’ll watch and see what transpires. The people want sanity to return to the government. The question is whether the politicians heard that clear enough. Time will tell.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:37 pmIt’s almost like seeing a guy show up at the soup kitchen in high hat and tuxedo.
Seeing as how this is a pretty accurate capsulation of the wingnut argument against any assistance to the poor, it ought to really hit home with those guys.
…Right?
November 19th, 2008 at 2:46 pmThey REALLY don’t get it. The only bailout they should get is with a resignation required.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:49 pm“Awwwww, now, fellas, come on!! We only bought the CHEAPEST caviar!!!!”
*eyes rolling*
November 19th, 2008 at 2:49 pmYou mean I have to fly with the rest of “them”!! I’m for the bailout however, the party is over my friends. You want to suck at the public troft be prepared to get reemed like the rest of us.
This is class warfare and we (the every day person) are ready to even out the playing field. Welcome to reality!!!
November 19th, 2008 at 2:49 pmLet me clarify that… a resignation in hand and severance = the lowest paid worker that gets laid off…
November 19th, 2008 at 2:49 pm- – Solution:
November 19th, 2008 at 2:51 pmAny Detroit bailout package should include the following provision: Auto companies that receive federal funds must provide the government with X thousand hybrid or otherwise low-emissions vehicles. The government, in turn, will create a program that a). allows low-income Americans (and Americans that are having a hard time making SUV payments, etc.) to trade in their gas guzzlers for new, clean vehicles, and b). recycles the scrap, where possible, into various flanks of a green infrastructure investment program.
Agreed, how many times have I heard how the poor are getting rich off of welfare…….boggles the mind.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:55 pmThat’s wonderful , more of that please !
November 19th, 2008 at 2:56 pmHey, why didn’t they drive from Detroit to DC? I mean, they are auto execs right? Or they don’t trust their cars anymore? Can’t afford the gas? May be it is a little far, but the three of them can car pool to save some money!
November 19th, 2008 at 2:56 pmOnly in America folks.But moreoever was seeing the comedy at Yesterday’s house hearing with Paulsen.To see Dem members of congress try & cover the backsides,saying how disappointed they were that Paulsen was not doing what the bailout was intended for.Any engaged high schooler could have seen the BS Bush & Paulsen sold ‘em.Dennis Kucinich said it was BS at the time.The only guy who speaks the truth.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:59 pmWe should also relieve the auto industry of those benefit packages by implementing a real single-payer healthcare system in the United States… it’s time to get serious and act like a real industrialized nation that takes care of ALL its citizens.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:59 pmBadmoodman
I love it. Why are we ‘bailing out’ these guys anyway. They’re car companies, why don’t we have the govt buy a crapton of LEV Hybrids over x amount of years.
If the Fed can’t use them they can pawn them off to the state or auction them to private citizens. At least then we’d be getting some return on this.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:00 pmtokin librul says;
They’re all dancing around the real issue: How to dis-Unionize the industry.
______________________________________________________________
The proper term is: union-busting.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:03 pmIt’s like they’re saying, “Nationalize us. Please.”
November 19th, 2008 at 3:03 pmlet me get this straight…now that paulson and chimpy have masterminded the greatest bank heist in history…700 billion with NO oversight, now they decide they want oversight and explanations? sort of like slamming the barn door after the horses are out.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:04 pmC’mon, people. You didn’t really expect these high-flying executives (no pun intended) to get on a plane with us plebeians, did you?
Buy tickets at $288 a piece? Pppffttt…. even the maid and the butler can afford tickets that cheap….
/sarc off
November 19th, 2008 at 3:08 pmBut if you listen to the narrative as told by the reichwingers, it was the high cost of labor and their damn unions that brought the auto industry to its knees.
It is never, ever, the executoys, the subsidizing of the lavish execuparties, the perks, or the golden retirement/layoff parachutes that the higher-ups grant themselves that drain a company’s cash flow. Oh no, no. Couldn’t be. Impossible.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:14 pmIt is also never, ever the incompetence at the top.
Because you know, the person in the corner office is always right… no matter how misguided or pigheaded their decisions may be -like making SUVs instead of fuel-efficient vehicles or investing in alternative energy sources…
November 19th, 2008 at 3:16 pmAnd just how did the executives from AIG arrive at their grovel session? And all the others who have actually received some of the bailout bucks?
I don’t think any of them came by bus or bicycle.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:16 pm“But if you listen to the narrative as told by the reichwingers, it was the high cost of labor and their damn unions that brought the auto industry to its knees.”
gregor,
November 19th, 2008 at 3:16 pmIn my view displays exactly what reapeublicans feel about the American worker…they have no use for them. I guess “joe the plumber” and “tito the builder” weren’t union
One of the effects of the last 8 years has been that executive salaries have soared in relation to their workers. This was also one of the things that happened in the 1920s lead-up to the depression.
As a start, any company that gets a bailout should have a cap on executive salaries tied to the salaries of the average worker – say 6 times the salary of the average line worker. This should also include all those wonderful invisible perks they get.
Likewise, bonuses are supposedly rewards for good company performance. If the company performed well, you wouldn’t need a bailout.
And the private jets, weren’t the wingnuts all agog when Palin (falsely) claimed to have sold her jet on ebay ?
November 19th, 2008 at 3:16 pmBozo The Neoclown Says:
In my view displays exactly what reapeublicans feel about the American worker
That’s exactly right. Other than for their brawn, Republicans have no use for workers.
Well, ok, brawns, photo-ops, and talking points…
Other than that, Reichwingers would like workers to not protest the declining living standards, and use their right to remain silent instead. Which is pretty much the only use of that right reichwingers like.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:22 pmOk, I still don’t see why we punish the workers for the sins of the CEO’s.
I think the “bailout” should be in the form of a loan with the conditions being 1) All CEO’s will be immediately fired, 2) New CEO’s will be under salary restrictions having to do with a percentage of what the average worker makes and 3) That the industry retools and starts making fuel efficient vehicles.
Unfortunately that’s going to have to wait until after January 20, since the Republicans are fine with bailing out their buddies in Wall Street, but against bailing out main street.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:25 pmGregor Samsa Says:
It is also never, ever the incompetence at the top.
Awwww, now, Gregor – if we just made MORE and especially BIGGER Hummers – everything would be just right!!!!!
November 19th, 2008 at 3:25 pmi would love for someone on a news program to pose this question to a republithug on their program when they start in with their “it’s the union’s fault” happy horseshit: “how many of the CEO’s homes are in foreclosure? how many floor workers at these companies”?
November 19th, 2008 at 3:28 pmOf course they don’t get it. Just as the AIG execs don’t get it. They see the perqs of their position as necessity, rather than luxury.
What’s amazing to me is how they’ve gotten away with this for so long (I guess that’s testament to the power of lobbyists). There’s a segment of our society that bristles at the very THOUGHT of someone on public assistance owning a plasma TV, yet corporate welfare in the form of deep tax cuts and subsidies so fat cat executives can live as large as possible raises nary an argument (in fact, if any corporation falls upon hard times despite government help, the unions are to blame).
November 19th, 2008 at 3:32 pmThey are still high from all that phat cat livin during the Horror of The Bush/Cheney Terrorist Junta years.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:34 pmThese managerial jokes live in bubbles every bit as air tight as Shruby’s. They have run these companies into the ground because of their macho, short sighted decisions.
These companies could have made huge contributions to moving this country and the world forward by working on innovative transportation alternatives. They have done relatively nothing to make that happen and they have done nothing with chips on their shoulders and middle fingers fully extended.
Flying their stupid jets to this hearing is nothing but dick wagging and a big F.U. to everybody. Did they call each other to ask if everyone else was bring their plane? Did they coordinate their big “EAT SHIT” to the world?
Nothing will improve until these dinosaurs are not just gone but publicly and widely discredited. They should be fined at the minimum for criminal negligence and incompetence. And Wagoner, Nardelli and Mually should be canned before the industry is coddled with any bailout.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:35 pmThe solution is within our grasp . These cows are so fat they need to be slaughtered !
November 19th, 2008 at 3:36 pmhttp://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2008/03/05/for-super-rich-growth-in-income-surpasses-growth-in-income-tax-paid/
The govt bailed out Chrysler back in the day and got their money back…and unlike the banking industry, at the end of the day the automakers still build something in this country…they big 3 are bing used to distract people from just how much unsupervised cash is going to wall street! A little slight of hand so paulson can keep stealing!
November 19th, 2008 at 3:37 pmI suspect that “slashing back on non-essential expenses” translates to “laying off workers to improve our bottom line”.
I doubt any of those three executives would forgo their precious private jets in order to save a few worker jobs, even though the cost of just a couple of jet round-trips would pay for a worker for an entire year.
I bet they are staying in the most expensive hotel in Washington, too. There ARE other places besides the Hay-Adams.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:40 pmGM ran an ad in today’s Wall Street Journal outlining how they would spend “federal money.”
Your ad should have outlined how you would spend OUR money. NO TO THE BAILOUT!!!
November 19th, 2008 at 3:46 pmThis is not a Republican issue, or a Democrat issue. The taxpayer money that the 3 Detroit Desperados want is all of OUR money, regardless of our political affiliations.
Listen up Congressmen and Senators! DO NOT BURN OUR TAX DOLLARS ON A DETROIT BAILOUT.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:49 pmmisshusseinmolly Says:
I suspect that “slashing back on non-essential expenses” translates to “laying off workers to improve our bottom line”.
Oh, yes. It never means cutting down on the salaries or perks for the executives, rest assured.
They see their expenses as a necessity, you know, so they can be more efficient at what they do (whatever the hell that is but, as of late, seems to be running companies into the ground).
They also see those expenses as a help for them to generate jobs for others (arrogant wankers that they are); I mean, think of all that help they can hire with the bailout money? Win-win, right?
November 19th, 2008 at 3:49 pmNothing is ever going to improve in this country as long as executives make 1,000 times what employees do. It’s absolutely impossible.
November 19th, 2008 at 4:08 pmDiana9:
November 19th, 2008 at 4:15 pmWouldn’t there be fewer hungry people if you spent more time packing some lunches and less time posting the exact same post?
Class warfare????
Where do I enlist?
November 19th, 2008 at 4:44 pmIf the bailout had been structured to purchase equity stakes, they’d get the cash and we’d be their bosses, through holding of stock. We could even appoint one or more government officials to their boards of directors, depending on the stake purchased. Then we’d be in a position to tell them what to do with the money we’re giving them, because we would have purchased the authority to do so.
But we didn’t do that. We just authorized Hank to buy their crap debt at inflated prices and to pretty much just hand them cash for screwing up. Now we get to watch that process play out.
Besides, what did you expect them to do, walk to Washington dressed in sackcloth and ashes?
November 19th, 2008 at 5:32 pmNone of this will stop them from receiving what they are asking for.
November 19th, 2008 at 5:43 pmAll I have read here so far is ignorant blather, hatred and class envy – class warfare if you will.
Surely someone posting here has enough intelligence to discuss this issue, right? Maybe not so much.
No wonder Obama got elected…
November 19th, 2008 at 9:49 pmElBruce,
Just saw your post soi obviously I’m not referring to you. You make a good point.
There are others who seem rational here, but they are few and far between!
November 19th, 2008 at 9:50 pmHi Tim Vaculik. Stunning reversal
November 19th, 2008 at 9:53 pmIT’S THE UNIONS FAULT! THE UNIONS MADE US BUILD CRAPPY CARS! THE UNIONS MADE US TAKE ALL OF THOSE FAT UNJUSTIFIED BONUSES! UAW MADE US TAKE THESE PRIVATE JETS!!!
November 19th, 2008 at 9:56 pmTim Vaculik Says:
All I have read here so far is ignorant blather, hatred and class envy – class warfare if you will.
You better F!@)(*$ing believe it’s class warfare. Maybe those of us who work for a living are tired of always being under assault and never attacking back. These morons are asking for a bailout, certainly plan to lay off thousands of floor workers, and show up in PRIVATE JETS?
And you’re whining “Oh boo hoo you’re just being mean to the rich people (asking for a handout from average joes like us) because you’re jealous!”
You really do live in your own reality don’t you? Seriously, does it hurt to be that big of a moron? Like, headaches and stuff?
November 19th, 2008 at 10:05 pmI’m still waiting for a rational argument on the merits.
I’ll begin. I’m not for a “bailout” for the auto industry or any other private company for that matter. I’m for loans or some other type of creative solution that will allow companies like GM to avoid bankruptcy.
What was it the politicians said before insisting money was needed to rescue the financial institutions… oh yeah, they were too big to fail and the effects would be catastrophic.
Unfortunately, this scenario seems to apply when we are talking about the big three automakers as well.
What I really object to is the sneering, holier-than-thou attitude displayed by our so-called representatives in Congress. They have the unmitigated GALL to criticize CEO’s when THEY THEMSELVES are partly to balme for the mess we find ourselves in.
November 19th, 2008 at 10:18 pmHere’s a cheap shot, but one I feel justified in taking:
Which of you DOLTS even understands why corporations have their own aviation departments, hmmmmmm?
November 19th, 2008 at 10:22 pmYou don’t give huge loans to incompetent suits for the same reason you don’t give huge loans to crackheads.
November 19th, 2008 at 10:22 pmTim Vaculik Says:
——————————————————————————–
Here’s a cheap shot, but one I feel justified in taking:
Which of you DOLTS even understands why corporations have their own aviation departments, hmmmmmm?
Better question. Which of you DOLTS gives a flying f@#(k what Tim Vaculik thinks?
November 19th, 2008 at 10:23 pmSo what exactly are the conditions of these “loans” and how will they be assessed and measured? I smell socialism….
November 19th, 2008 at 10:25 pmdbadass Says:
SILENCE SERF, IT’S NOT SOCIALISM WHEN THEY DO IT!
November 19th, 2008 at 10:26 pmTim Vaculik Says:
All I have read here so far is ignorant blather, hatred and class envy – class warfare if you will.
Surely someone posting here has enough intelligence to discuss this issue, right? Maybe not so much.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
All anyone EVER reads from you is ignorance and the hivemind talking points you were programmed with. You are a moron. Your ignorance is legendary. You are too stupid to be talking about reading someone elses ignorance. You are too stupid to understand simple concepts. Just because YOU dont understand it doesnt mean it doesnt make perfect sense, MORON.
No wonder Obama got elected…
November 19th, 2008 at 10:30 pmand timmeh, you’ve yet to see “Class warfare”…When we start dragging these idiots into the streets and hacking them apart with machetes, then and only then will your crying be justified. Until then STFU and go back to licking your wounds.
November 19th, 2008 at 10:33 pmWow! I can’t really explain it as I have never truly understood poetry but I know it when I see it and I would pay for the collected works of EugeneDebs…
November 19th, 2008 at 10:36 pmTim Vaculik Says:
I’m still waiting for a rational argument on the merits.
I’ll begin. I’m not for a “bailout” for the auto industry or any other private company for that matter. I’m for loans or some other type of creative solution that will allow companies like GM to avoid bankruptcy.
What was it the politicians said before insisting money was needed to rescue the financial institutions… oh yeah, they were too big to fail and the effects would be catastrophic.
Unfortunately, this scenario seems to apply when we are talking about the big three automakers as well.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Unfortunatly yes. The ripple effects of just letting them fail would be to destructive to the economy to sit by and let it happen. A loan or direct bailout should come with preconditions. No more huge bonuses for upper management. Perhaps some lowered salaries at the really high management posts. I mean the UAW has given back time for upper management to give back to. A comittment from the Fed to buy fleet cars that meet certain specifications would most likely help. I am not against helping industry but there should be a societal benfit. Any bailout should be a loan that would be exepected to be paid back. Also a comittment to NOT move any more factories out of the US. Taxpayers should not be expected to pony up on Monday then take a screwing by the same industry on Wednesday
November 19th, 2008 at 10:39 pmTim Vaculik Says:
Here’s a cheap shot, but one I feel justified in taking:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I dont see how ANYONE as stupid as you could possibly feel justified calling someone else a dolt. You are a moron Timmeh. A moron with delusions of adequacy
November 19th, 2008 at 10:39 pmthe brown acid is kickin’ it as well.
November 19th, 2008 at 10:42 pmEugene, one of the “Strings” attached to this bailout should be that the idiots responsible immediately resign, sans golden parachute, and have their assets frozen until these companies are in the black again.
November 19th, 2008 at 10:43 pmand as for the “security” angle of this travesty. Do these morons really need first class security? Would it really be that hard to replace one of these tools if some disgruntled worker decided to give one of the CEOs the old rib-tickle with a razor sharp stilleto? Something tells me that any of these three idiots could easily be replaced with another bean counter, and no one would even notice.
November 19th, 2008 at 10:43 pmthe brown acid Says:
Eugene, one of the “Strings” attached to this bailout should be that the idiots responsible immediately resign, sans golden parachute, and have their assets frozen until these companies are in the black again.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Hell YES. I would go for that. It seems though, despite Timmehs delusions about class warfare as what WE are doing, the rich and powerful are quick to circle the wagons and take care of their own so there really isnt much chance Congress would do that. IF ONLY.
November 19th, 2008 at 10:50 pmdbadass,
You are not much of a literary critic, are you?
November 19th, 2008 at 10:55 pmWatching the testimony from the big 3 execs on Cspan right now. Can’t even get these idiots to give a straight answer to a question.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:00 pmWell, I agree that if the government loans a company money, there’s going to be strings attached. They need not be draconian, however.
As I recall, it wasn’t such a huge deal back when Chrysler was provided loans to stave off bankruptcy. Look what they did – they paid it all back and emerged a much better and profitable company. Taxpayers paid nothing.
The thing is, you have to let CEO’s do what they do best with as little interference as possible under the circumstances.
I just wish people would quit demonizing others and try to understand things from angles they may not have considered before. Still waiting for someone to post their understanding of corporate aviation…
November 19th, 2008 at 11:04 pmTim Vaculik Says:
dbadass,
You are not much of a literary critic, are you?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And YOU are not much of a human BEING are you?
November 19th, 2008 at 11:05 pmLater, gators.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:07 pmNo not really. I suppose we’ll have to call it equal on your climate science expertise…
November 19th, 2008 at 11:08 pmTim Vaculik Says:
Well, I agree that if the government loans a company money, there’s going to be strings attached. They need not be draconian, however.
As I recall, it wasn’t such a huge deal back when Chrysler was provided loans to stave off bankruptcy. Look what they did – they paid it all back and emerged a much better and profitable company. Taxpayers paid nothing.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:13 pmYes, a much better and profitable company…that is asking for another bailout.
You make it easy when you refute your own arguments for us.
Tim Vaculik Says:
The thing is, you have to let CEO’s do what they do best with as little interference as possible under the circumstances.
THAT’S THE PROBLEM! THE THING THEY DO BEST IS RUNNING COMPANIES INTO THE GROUND! WE’VE LET THEM DO THAT THING THEY DO BEST FAR TOO LONG, WITH AS LITTLE INTERFERENCE AS POSSIBLE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES
November 19th, 2008 at 11:14 pmIn a while crocodile…
November 19th, 2008 at 11:16 pmTim Vaculik Says:
I just wish people would quit demonizing others and try to understand things from angles they may not have considered before. Still waiting for someone to post their understanding of corporate aviation…
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
You are such a condescending PUNK. Personally I dont DO requests but I know the very OBVIOUS point you THINK you are making. Yes it is more efficient and in the long run cost effective, at least the argument can be made, for them to fly these private jets which is why I wasnt here chastising them. The guys making the criticism know this too moron, they are talking about how it LOOKS the symbolic message it sends. I am not fond of arguments that put the sizzle above the steak so I never attacked them for it. When are you going to GET that you arent half as bright as you think you are. Your condescension is just another aspect of how STUPID you are. Do you really think no one understood this but you. Let me give you a clue. There is most likely NO EXISTING CONCEPT that you can understand that wasnt clear to the majority of the posters here LONG ago. The sooner you understand that YOU are a moron and most of the posters here ARENT, the sooner you get over yourself, the sooner an actual conversation MIGHT take place.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:18 amand the next person to tell me that these jets were a necessity for the unsustainable business models of these companies is getting punched in the mouth.
We live in the information age. It’s called teleconferencing.
November 20th, 2008 at 3:57 amThey could have drove. They are auto companies, after all.
November 20th, 2008 at 2:25 pmCan I just say that is absolutely tacky!!!!! In need of a reality check, indeed!
“And just how did the executives from AIG arrive at their grovel session? And all the others who have actually received some of the bailout bucks?
I don’t think any of them came by bus or bicycle.”
Good point!!!
“I suspect that “slashing back on non-essential expenses” translates to “laying off workers to improve our bottom line”.”
Exactly! They are holding the “common” workers livelihood hostage!!!!! The ransom is the bailout.
“Also a commitment to NOT move any more factories out of the US. Taxpayers should not be expected to pony up on Monday then take a screwing by the same industry on Wednesday.”
Another good point!!!
“Still waiting for someone to post their understanding of corporate aviation…”
Its not considered so much of a perk these days as a time saving measure that is thereby cost effective to the corporation. The CEO’s time equaling money. At least that’s the story the big corporations with private jets are sticking to . . .
November 26th, 2008 at 8:14 amCutting back on whatever they’re spending for ridiculous combovers would be a start.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:39 pmthe brown acid Says:
IT’S THE UNIONS FAULT! THE UNIONS MADE US BUILD CRAPPY CARS! THE UNIONS MADE US TAKE ALL OF THOSE FAT UNJUSTIFIED BONUSES! UAW MADE US TAKE THESE PRIVATE JETS!!!
AND EVERYTHING THAT IS WRONG WITH
THE COUNTRY TODAY IS THE FAULT OF THE UNIONS
Of course, everyone who is not a RepubliCON stooge knows that THAT isn’t true.
January 1st, 2009 at 3:34 pm