GM and UAW — shame on you!

Ok, this blog is supposed to be about starting a micro multi, not about an established behemoth like GM, but I was watching the news this morning and was compelled to write something.  You see, I travel about a bit, visit lots of companies, talk to lots of folks about international competition and the role of the US and US companies.  I’m struggling to understand what it takes to survive, and maybe even thrive, in today’s economy, and on the news, I see a scene that could have been from 1970.

First of all, lets get some basic bookkeeping handled.  I don’t have a pension other than my 401k.  I never have.  As a self-employed individual, I get screwed attempting to buy insurance.  GM — you are having your ass handed to you in every market except for those nice Buick vans made in Shanghai (I have spent WAY too much time in those, but that’s another story).

 That bit of unpleasantness out of the way, I DON’T want this company to go under (I don’t want to pay for the bailout either).  If you actually made a car that came close to a Toyota or a Honda I might even buy one.  How can you strike when your very existance is at stake (both of you)?  How can you not see what’s at stake?  As if hemorrhaging money and dumping market share aren’t enough.

Here’s an idea for the UAW — either start thinking about the needs of today or make yourself some really cool tunics and wooden swords and start running medieval festivals!  In this age of global competition, what will matter is that workers have a chance to grow and learn, even if they don’t work for GM (or any other large company).  What matters is mobile benefits like health and life insurance — available at a reasonable cost to responsible individuals willing to take a risk and start a small company.  What matters is portable pension benefits that allow responsible individuals to invest their savings (maybe with some help from companies) in a tax deferred fashion that makes sense for them.  Start advocating for the workers of tomorrow, and you may yet avoid selling little crystal baubles while enduring the oh-so-painful squeeze of your corset.

 You want to keep American jobs?  I do, but I know that we need to be smarter and faster than ever!  The world is different now, and requires a different outlook.  I don’t claim to have all of the answers, but it seems to me that a group of smart folks around a table could have done better than this!  Just be aware — Toyota has already beaten you, and Hyundai, Geely, and Great Wall are right behind!