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Filmmaker and Michigan native Michael Moore was one of the first people from the left-side of politics who came out with a lengthy and critical opinion piece published in the website Commondreams.org about GM's lack of vision and its impact in the state.
"[GM] refused to build automobiles that the public wanted, cars that got great gas mileage, were as safe as they could be, and were exceedingly comfortable to drive," wrote Moore. "So here we are at the deathbed of General Motors. The company's body not yet cold, and I find myself filled with -- dare I say it -- joy. It is not the joy of revenge against a corporation that ruined my hometown and brought misery, divorce, alcoholism, homelessness, physical and mental debilitation, and drug addiction to the people I grew up with. Nor do I, obviously, claim any joy in knowing that 21,000 more GM workers will be told that they, too, are without a job."
From the right-side of the ring came out conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh criticizing President Obama and the United Auto Workers union more so than focusing on GM itself.
"I warned you, and I'm sure all of you in this audience or the vast majority of you in this audience listened. Here we go, GM permanently closing nine more plants, three more to be put on standby," said Limbaugh. "...So Obama used taxpayer money to buy General Motors, and essentially give it to the United Auto Workers. See, this is the dirty little secret. Obama is returning the nation's wealth to its rightful owners. We've got an economy in collapse, and he's implementing his campaign agenda regardless. UAW is a political contributor and this is socialism. Barack Obama now owns the means of production and cronyism as well."
More reserved words came from politicians like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who spent a lot of time listening to the pleas of help from the automakers' CEOs.
"I commend the executives and workers of General Motors, the members of the Treasury Department's automobile task force, and the Obama Administration for working together in making the necessary - and difficult - sacrifices to restructure GM into a viable, forward-looking, environmentally friendly, and globally competitive automobile manufacturer," said Pelosi. "I am hopeful that a restructured GM will result in a profitable company that fully repays the taxpayers and strengthens our manufacturing base."
Presidential Candidate and consumer advocate Ralph Nader also gave his two-cents wondering who will take care of the consumers who are stuck with GM cars.
"Victims of defective GM products may find themselves with no legal avenue to pursue justice. In the Chrysler bankruptcy, with complete disregard for the real human lives involved, the Obama task force and auto company have maneuvered effectively to extinguish the product liability claims of victims of defective cars," said Nader.
And even religious leaders such as Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron of the Archdiocese of Detroit came out of the woodwork to offer words of comfort to the situation.
"The news concerning General Motors adds to the disruption and uncertainty already faced by many of our fellow citizens. All of those impacted by these latest developments are in my prayers, " said Archbishop Vigneron. "I invite the Catholic faithful to join with me as we implore the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help, for her comfort in these times of economic distress. And we humbly ask for her intercession with Jesus, her Son, to strengthen all of those bearing the burdens of the challenges before us."
But perhaps the words that most Americans and that people from around the globe heard today came from President Barack Obama who shared the painful news with his constituents at a press conference, but ended his speech with words of hope for a better future for the legendary General Motors.
"From the beginning, I made it clear that I would not put any more tax dollars on the line if it meant perpetuating the bad business decisions that had led these companies to seek help in the first place. I refused to let these companies become permanent wards of the state, kept afloat on an endless supply of taxpayer money. In other words, I refused to kick the can down the road," said Obama.
"I'm confident that the steps I'm announcing today will mark the end of an old GM, and the beginning of a new GM; a new GM that can produce the high-quality, safe, and fuel-efficient cars of tomorrow; that can lead America towards an energy independent future; and that is once more a symbol of America's success."
Read Michael Moore's Full Opinion Piece
Article by Dolores M. Bernal, acejournalist@gmail.com
Posted June 2nd, 2009 by DoloresM
