House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer and Reps. Chris Van Hollen and Daniel Maffei, in a letter today to President Barack Obama, expressed their “growing concern” over the closings of GM and Chrysler dealerships. Moreover, the three congressional Democrats say they want to hear a “compelling justification” how closing healthy dealerships will improve the ailing automakers’ fiscal situation. The three were asking their Capitol Hill colleagues to sign their letter today.
The full text of the letter is posted at Politico.com, but we have singled out some excepts that are quite revealing:
“We are writing to express our concerns about General Motors’ and Chrysler’s decision to close profitable automobile dealerships across the country, and urge you to ask GM and Chrysler to delay final action on proposed closures pending further review of the decision to consolidate dealerships and the process by which Chrysler and GM selected the dealerships to close.”
As RedState.com, some of our new media colleagues and the dealers themselves have been saying, it makes no sense to put some of your best dealers out of business. Many of the dealerships being closed are among the cream of the crop in terms of profitability, sales volume, customer satisfaction and other key criteria the companies insist determined which franchises made the cut. Now, some top House Democrats are saying the same thing.
In the second paragraph of the letter, the congressmen state:
“We also question the criteria being used to determine which dealerships should be closed and the fundamental fairness involved in this effort.”
As have we, though we see some different motivations behind the selection process used to pare down the dealer networks:
“…we are concerned that manufacturers are closing profitable dealerships to circumvent current contracts which could require expensive buy-outs under normal conditions. We are also concerned about allegations that dealers that have previously stood up for their rights against the manufacturers are being targeted by these closures.”
We can’t help but fundamentally disagree with these three Democrats, however, on what they believe will be a major step toward cleaning up this Dealergate mess:
“We believe that the forced closures of profitable dealerships needs to be scrutinized by the Task Force to prevent additional future financial loses to General Motors and Chrysler and job loses across the United States.”
No, Congressmen. The president’s task force is part of the problem, not the solution. You gentlemen, as representatives of the people, have the authority to launch a full congressional investigation into how Chrysler and GM dealers were targeted for closing. That’s your job, not that of President Obama’s auto task force. If you do not exercise some oversight and do it now, nothing about this broken process will be fixed.
- JP
You gentlemen, as representatives of the people, have the authority to launch a full congressional investigation into how Chrysler and GM dealers were targeted for closing and set a timetable for GM and Chrysler to return to profitable and forever forgo and more taxpayer funded bailouts
izoneguy Saturday, June 6th at 7:53PM EDT (link)Sink or swim and not let UAW be the reason they stay in business.
“When the government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.”
Thomas Jefferson
and they really should - more later - and thx for highlighting that fact - nt
Mike gamecock DeVine Saturday, June 6th at 8:05PM EDT (link)Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” - Andrew Jackson
Its about time Senators and Congressman of all Parties
bobojake Saturday, June 6th at 8:07PM EDT (link)Democrat, Republican and Independents need to start raising L with obama and his destruction of the housing, banking and auto industries.
Senators and Congressman work for the citizens of the United States. It seems especially since reid, peloski and obama took over they seem to think they are going to give all the taxpayers money away. They passed an energy bill 3 years ago that is destroying this Great Nation. It time for obama, his CZARS and Senator and Congressman to testify under oath about the destruction of the 3 industries. Reid, peloski and obama want to tax the L out of us, feed the government doles and only have government jobs. Government jobs are a drag on society.
We need to cut Federal Employment by 30% and leave the Defense Department alone.
Keep GM and Chryslers Dealer in the United Staes with Manufacturing jobs.
obama brown shirts are not contibuting to society. DEFUND the Criminal ACORN organizatioon.
Federal Poppycock
popdaddy Saturday, June 6th at 9:27PM EDT (link)I recently became a “victim” - an Obamaunemployed.
People need to understand this economy has been on a downturn since it was apparent the domestic terrorist Obama had a chance to be elected in August ‘08. The damage this “President” has caused dates back way before 1-20-09.
There is no doubt his obsession with government providing jobs instead of a private sector is an attempt to destroy America and our traditional values. No better proof is this “job description” from a Feredal Government internet site, USAJobs.gov.
Thie is a posting for a “General Field Representative” whatever that is for some bunch called the AARA. This government job is slated to pay $67,613 - $104,525 - check the job description:
JOB SUMMARY:
Improve the Quality of Life in Rural Areas
Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in all of rural America. To do this, Rural Development is working closely with the private and nonprofit sectors and with state, tribal, and local governments to fundamentally change the way government works. With this new philosophy of public partnership–this new relationship among Government, industry and communities–many positive outcomes for rural Americans are happening daily. Rural Development works to make sure that rural citizens can participate fully in the global economy–with technical assistance and programs to help rural Americans build strong economies to improve their quality of life.
Utilities Programs helped modern utilities (electricity, telephone, water and waste disposal services) come to rural America through some of the most successful government initiatives in American history. The Rural Development’s Utilities Programs works with rural cooperative, non-profit associations, public bodies and for-profit utilities. It continues to carry on this tradition of helping rural communities expand and keep their technology up to date, helping to establish new and vital services such as distance learning and telemedicine. The public-private partnership which is forged between the RD’s Utilities Programs and these industries results in billions of dollars in rural infrastructure development and creates thousand of jobs for the American economy.
This position is located under the Assistant Administrator for Telecommunications as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). This position is being filled on a availability of work and funds. This appointment does not confer competitive status and cannot be converted to permanent positions without further competition.
O...K.... so....
scottbomb Sunday, June 7th at 11:47PM EDT (link)What exactly are the job duties and qualification requirements? Sounds like a bunch of platitudes, like those written by an Obama speech writer.
http://www.HowObamaGotElected.com
“The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of ‘liberalism’, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.” - Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate 1940, 1944 and 1948
Actually, the cut in Federal Civilian Employment Should Be No Less Than 50 Percent.
papalee Sunday, June 7th at 3:45AM EDT (link)It should involve the complete shutting of all departments for which there is no Constitutional authority and all those based upon Marxist ideas and ideals.
Here's a job opening for the FDIC
Cheryl Saturday, June 6th at 10:09PM EDT (link)The U.S. Govt. is the only game in town when it comes to hiring:
The following Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation job posting at https://jobs1.quickhire.com/scripts/fdic.exe has been updated. Please visit the site to see if any changes are applicable to you.
Job: 2009-DALD-B0580
Job Position: 0301 MISCELLANEOUS ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAM SERIES Job Description: Community Affairs Specialist, CG-301-12/13
Job grade: CG-12/13
Open Date: 06/05/2009
Close Date: 06/18/2009
Salary Range: $69168.00-$143217.00
1 vacancy at Kansas City, MO
1 vacancy at Dallas, TX
That is crazy Popdaddy
smitch61 Saturday, June 6th at 10:15PM EDT (link)Thanks for sharing…. You are right on with the task force. They write in their letter that the task force should scrutinize chrysler and GM.. I am in Michigan, with two family members employed with GM in the corporate offices (for now) both are non union, salaried and work in what was once global sales. I can tell you that the task force has absolute control, and the companies recent appearance in front of congress was exactly that, a front….
Thanks for the scary job postings
katesmith Sunday, June 7th at 12:50AM EDT (link)Fascinating reading and as noted, the government will be the only employer. I just wanted to mention an item I saw from the Boston Globe mentioning a GOP pollster named Tony Fabrizio. He told the reporter the Republicans have been rope a doped and pushed into a corner and can’t do anything. Why is the GOP employing someone who cries to the media about how his bosses are wimps and stuck in a corner? If they can’t find good people to hire, do without.
GM Kung Fu is Weak
Robert A. Hahn Sunday, June 7th at 1:04AM EDT (link)They’re closing the best dealerships because those are the ones the Chinese want for their entry into the U.S. automobile market.
The Japanese automakers had to build their dealership networks from scratch. Ditto the Koreans. But the Chinese have a better idea: let’s set up a network of 3,000 dealerships from coast to coast who are in place, profitable, and hungry for something new to sell.
Drink Good Coffee. You can sleep when you’re dead.
You are wise, Grasshopper -nt
molybdanthan Sunday, June 7th at 1:19AM EDT (link)Sadly, Grasshopper passed away this week...nt
olsmithie Sunday, June 7th at 11:57AM EDT (link)I know, very sad
molybdanthan Sunday, June 7th at 12:31PM EDT (link)He’s pulling the pebble from God’s hand now.
Who are you talking about? nt
mom2oneson Sunday, June 7th at 1:05PM EDT (link)Keith Carradine nt
Vegas_Rick Sunday, June 7th at 1:11PM EDT (link)“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” Calvin Coolidge.
rather, David C. (Keith is brother) nt
olsmithie Sunday, June 7th at 1:41PM EDT (link)My mistake. Thanks nt
Vegas_Rick Sunday, June 7th at 1:48PM EDT (link)“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” Calvin Coolidge.
Obama's probable answer
SoFiMil Sunday, June 7th at 2:04AM EDT (link)Concerned Taxpayers: Why were these dealerships closed?
Obama: “Don’t bother me! Can’t you see I’m eating my waffle?…I’m present. Shouldn’t that be all that matters?”
http://www.suvstrategery.blogspot.com
violate contract laws
larryp Sunday, June 7th at 9:23AM EDT (link)in the various states. Also some cities set up these auto malls to get the sales tax. A lot of the impreovements are funded thru legislative sleights-of-hands like redevelopment agencies and business improvemnt districts. Therefore the
scuttling of the dealerships would/could have a serious affect on these cities.
The taspayers willbe holding the bag and the closures whould be fought by the cites,counties and states in court.
…but since the donks control all on these levels, nothing will be done.
Still don't see the forest - but at least they're starting to see trees.
E Pluribus Unum Sunday, June 7th at 9:54AM EDT (link)It’s a start. Although I can’t help but think that Steny Hoyer’s got his own reasons for being a thorn in the side right now.
Carthago delenda est
Do your conservative t-shirt Christmas shopping at EPU Gear. Save the conservative muse, save the world.
Steny and company
olsmithie Sunday, June 7th at 11:47AM EDT (link)Understand that as the economy collapses, their large donor cash flow goes with it.
The Dems can promote welfare and government cheese all they want, but the poor don’t make large campaign contributions.
The wealthy folks “O”men is intent on wacking over the head until unconscious do.
Regards
Just a curious question, Might there have recently been dealership closings in their congressional districts ?
Joliphant Sunday, June 7th at 2:21PM EDT (link)GM is no longer a commercial enterprise, it is now a federal agency for the delivery of pork to well connected. We saw this with the plant closing in Barney Frank’s district. We will see this again and again as the glorious reign of Obama the 1st goes on.
Right now every GM plant, every dealership, every job is a source of patronage power for the congresscritters who’s districts they reside in. You can expect the dealers to start making very heavy contributions to congressional elections and when the district changes hands I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a move to provide some sort of testing at the federal level to change who runs them.
“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.”
-Thomas Paine: The American Crisis, No. 4, 1777
Hoyer and Van Hollen are both from MD
The_Gadfly Monday, June 8th at 2:09PM EDT (link)You can’t swing a dead cat* without hitting a Dealership owned by a Dem in most parts of the state. And some of them have been closed. The Washington Times did a couple of articles about some of the community pillars that have been closed. That might not carry a lot of weight outside the beltway, but they wield a fair bit of clout locally. Even on the train I see about half the people reading the Times and not the Post.
*No I’d never try to swing a live one, and actually I love cats.
We’ve been called racists enough now that it shouldn’t bother us any more.
-AChance, http://www.redstate.com/moe_lane/2009/11/03/what-men-may-do-we-have-done/#comment-24463
If NY23 was a beat down for Conservatives, what do you call what happened to Progressives in NJ and VA?
inspired by ColdWarrior, http://www.redstate.com/hooah_mac/2009/11/04/ny-23-the-agony-of-defeat-not-so-much/#comment-156
It's a little late for this dog and pony show, Steny.
scottbomb Sunday, June 7th at 11:52PM EDT (link)If Hoyer and Co. were really concerned, they would have done something about this a long time ago. In case he hasn’t noticed, there are NO checks and balances taking place in our government.
http://www.HowObamaGotElected.com
“The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of ‘liberalism’, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.” - Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate 1940, 1944 and 1948
I watched that video
molybdanthan Monday, June 8th at 1:34AM EDT (link)of John Ziegler getting harassed, assaulted, and having his rights infringed. He was trying to make a point about the corporate media, and its dangerous liaisons. But demonstrating how freedom can be taken away is a much better show. And they made it. The cop’s advice to him, and us all: “Stop struggling.” If we just go limp, it will all be over soon.