| Author | Message | ||
     Ferris_von_bueller |
Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 "We the People" to "King of the World": "YOU'RE FIRED!" ...a letter from Michael Moore Friends, Nothing like it has ever happened. The President of the United States, the elected representative of the people, has just told the head of General Motors -- a company that's spent more years at #1 on the Fortune 500 list than anyone else -- "You're fired!" I simply can't believe it. This stunning, unprecedented action has left me speechless for the past two days. I keep saying, "Did Obama really fire the chairman of General Motors? The wealthiest and most powerful corporation of the 20th century? Can he do that? Really? Well, damn! What else can he do?!" This bold move has sent the heads of corporate America spinning and spewing pea soup. Obama has issued this edict: The government of, by, and for the people is in charge here, not big business. John McCain got it. On the floor of the Senate he asked, "What does this signal send to other corporations and financial institutions about whether the federal government will fire them as well?" Senator Bob Corker said it "should send a chill through all Americans who believe in free enterprise." The stock market plunged as the masters of the universe asked themselves, "Am I next?" And they whispered to each other, "What are we going to do about this Obama?" Not much, fellows. He has the massive will of the American people behind him -- and he has been granted permission by us to do what he sees fit. If you liked this week's all-net 3-pointer, stay tuned. I write this letter to you in memory of the hundreds of thousands of workers over the past 25+ years who have been tossed into the trash heap by General Motors. Many saw their lives ruined for good. They turned to alcohol or drugs, their marriages fell apart, some took their own lives. Most moved on, moved out, moved over, moved away. They ended up working two jobs for half the pay they were getting at GM. And they cursed the CEO of GM for bringing ruin to their lives. Not one of them ever thought that one day they would witness the CEO receive the same treatment. Of course Chairman Wagoner will not have to sign up for food stamps or be evicted from his home or tell his kids they'll be going to the community college, not the university. Instead, he will get a $23 million golden parachute. But the slip in his hands is still pink, just like the hundreds of thousands that others received -- except his was issued by us, via the Obama-man. Here's the door, buster. See ya. Don't wanna be ya. I began my day today in Washington, D.C. I went to the U.S. Senate and got into their Finance Committee's hearing on the Wall Street bailout. The overseers wanted to know how the banks spent the money. And many of these banks won't tell them. They've taken trillions and nobody knows where the money went. It certainly didn't go to create jobs, relieve mortgage holders, or free up loans that people need. It was so shocking to listen to this, I had to leave before it was over. But it gave me an idea for the movie I was shooting. Later, I stopped by the National Archives to stand in line to see the original copy of our Constitution. I thought about how twenty years ago this month I was just down the street finishing my first film, a personal plea to warn the nation about GM and the deadly economy it ruled. On that March day in 1989 I was broke, having collected the last of my unemployment checks, relying on help from my friends (Bob and Siri would take me out to dinner and always pick up the check, the assistant manager at the movie theater would sneak me in so I could watch an occasional movie, Laurie and Jack bought an old Steenbeck (editing) machine for me, John Richard would slip me an unused plane ticket so I could go home for Christmas, Rod would do anything for me and drive to Flint whenever I needed something for the film). My late mother (she would've turned 88 tomorrow if she were still with us) and my GM autoworker dad told me in the kitchen they wanted to help and handed me a check for an astounding thousand dollars. I didn't know they even had a thousand dollars. I refused it, they insisted I take it -- "No!" -- and then, in that parental voice, told me I was to cash it so I could finish my movie. I did. And I did. So on that March day in 1989, as I was driving down Pennsylvania Avenue, my 9-year-old car just died. I coasted over to the curb, put my head down on the steering wheel and started to cry. I had no money to take it in to be repaired, and I certainly had nothing to pay the tow truck driver. So I got out, screwed the license plates off so I wouldn't be fined, turned my back and just left it there for good. I looked over at the building next to me. It said "National Archives." What better place to donate my dead car, I thought, as I walked the rest of the way home. Though it wasn't easy for me, I still never had to suffer what so many of my friends and neighbors went through, thanks to General Motors and an economic system rigged against them. I wonder what they must have all thought when they woke up this Monday morning to read in the Detroit News or the Detroit Free Press the headlines that Obama had fired the CEO of GM. Oh -- wait a minute. They couldn't read that. There was no Free Press or News. Monday was the day that both papers ended home delivery. It was canceled (as it will be for four days every week) because the daily newspapers, like General Motors, like Detroit, are broke. I await the President's next superhero move. Yours, Michael Moore MMFlint@aol.com MichaelMoore.com (Go State!) P.S. Please know that it has not been lost on any of us from the Rust Belt how our corporate bigwigs were treated (remember, the auto companies wanted a loan, not a handout) compared to how the titans of Wall Street got trillions of free cash, lunch at the White House and a photo op with the Prez. Trust me, we get it. And, if there is a God in heaven, the thieves of Wall Street will soon pay. Also... the sight of our president having to promise that he would back every GM warranty and give consumers a bonus if they trade in their old Grand Am for a hybrid, was alternately sad, hilarious, and just plain weird. This is what it's come to: the Commander in Chief of the Free World is now Mr. Goodwrench. Jeesh. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
meh, its late and misplaced, where were the crew from AIG, WaMu, CitiBank, Lehman, Enron ?.... Heads should have rolled, let them eat cake. (yes I know Enron is misplaced, but hell if we are tanking corps for their performance, the deserve it too) | ||
| Methed |
...Back to where I once belonged ...Back in the U.S.S.A. There is neither enough profanity in the combined languages of all the people on earth nor the strength of will left in me to tell you how disappointed I am that my kids will be growing up in this country and where it is headed; a country I can no longer make semblance of nor understand. Superhero, huh? | ||
| Citified |
with the massive will of the american people behind him? more like despite the will of the american people. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Unfortunately, "the people" does not include those who start and build companies that hire workers. Just like Michael Moore to cheer as ALL are moved into the category of "have not". | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
a country I can no longer make semblance of nor understand. I expressed those sentiments to a coworker, today. | ||
| Wheelybueller |
Question: Is Mr.Obama,a King or the new Savior? Im confused  | ||
| Methed |
A: All of the above (apparently) All hail Super-Bama-Jesus! | ||
| Teeps |
Michael Moore; a waste of a human? | ||
| Wheelybueller |
Thanks Methed Now I know If I ever meet him I have to Bow,and kiss his Ring. lol Socialism is a failed experiment. On an other note, I WOULDN'T LIVE ANYWHERE ELSE, Its still the best game in town. God Bless the U.S.A  | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
You need to read the piece very carefully with your irony circuits fully warmed up & your political bias switched off. Whether you love or hate Michael Moore, you can't doubt his sincerity, or the love of his country & fellow men. You may not like his point of view, but now more than ever, the US needs people like him who aren't scared to speak their minds in public. Personally I find his films grate on my nerves, & the only book of his that I read was hard work. That said, I'm a furrinner so maybe it's normal.  | ||
| Chellem |
As a (future) small (family) business owner, I walk this line between being the "have" or the "have-not", depending on who you ask. I'm sure there are those who think the owner must be some rich guy because he owns the dealership, but at the same time, he ain't no CEO of GE. So I'm not sure where we would fall in the upcoming class war. That being said, I am a capitalist, a firm believer in personal responsibility, and SICK of handouts. I can't, however, get behind the point of view that it's a good thing for an elected official to dabble in the hiring, firing, or really any day-to-day issue in a corporation. It's all fun and games until he decides YOU'RE not doing a good job and cans YOU. I also love this country, as I'm sure Michael Moore does. I just can't believe we're both talking about the same country. My America, in my mind anyway, would NEVER support this crap. And yet, here we are. At the very least, Michael Moore does NOT speak for me. ->ChelleM | ||
| Swordsman |
This bold move has sent the heads of corporate America spinning and spewing pea soup. Obama has issued this edict: The government of, by, and for the people is in charge here, not big business. John McCain got it. On the floor of the Senate he asked, "What does this signal send to other corporations and financial institutions about whether the federal government will fire them as well?" Senator Bob Corker said it "should send a chill through all Americans who believe in free enterprise." Y'know, based on the above paragraph excerpt, I got the impression that Moore's praise was actually a bit sarcastic...? ~SM | ||
| Xl1200r |
There is neither enough profanity in the combined languages of all the people on earth nor the strength of will left in me to tell you how disappointed I am that my kids will be growing up in this country and where it is headed; a country I can no longer make semblance of nor understand. Superhero, huh? My thoughts exactly. I also love this country, as I'm sure Michael Moore does. I just can't believe we're both talking about the same country. My America, in my mind anyway, would NEVER support this crap. Yup. Someone please explain to me how this would be any different than the President telling an author or reporter to stop writing because their views were not in line with the administrations? Unless the U.S. Government owns a controlling share of GM, this whole move is B.S. And don't get me started on the AIG bonuses. I was VERY willing to be open minded to Obama once he was elected. I now offically HATE this administration and damned near everything it stands for. I'm young, so my political-awareness history is not very long, but Obama is, by far, my least favorite condidate of all time. Maybe we'll wake up in four years and all be rich. But history has a way of repeating itself, and going on that assumption, I'd bet we'll wake up 20 years from now and wonder where all of our money and rights went. | ||
| Fast1075 |
Money comes and goes...at least if you are young enough and smart enough to start over...I have been broke to my last cent before... The scary thing is were our rights are headed.. | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Michael Moore is about as credible as Rush Limbaugh..to both of them I say eh | ||
| Nik |
Michael Moore is about as credible as Rush Limbaugh..to both of them I say eh They're both just Fred Savage in a suit | ||
| Cityxslicker |
You know who gets capitalism?... New Russia, funny that they are embracing every bit of it, the competition, the graft, the greed, the class success.... Its a grand time to be an American, just maybe not here. | ||
| Jstfrfun |
Or maybe we should expect corporate heads to rob there own companys into the ground and take any moneys offered to them wile ignoring the requirements which the money came with. THATS why O canned the GM CEO,he still didn't get it! Nothing was done to change the way they are doing there job! If ANY of us does a poor job at our place of employ we can expect to be released or demoted, not fed a fat bonus! If I fail at my job, and don't provide the best customer service possible, I can expect my competitors to take my customers from me and cause me to fail, thereby ending my venture, lose my store lose my income...no parachute. Why do corporate heads expect to be rewarded for failure? AIG expects to be rescued because they underwrite the house and senate retirement fund, ok I understand that, but I don't like it. I think the biggest problem is the huge spider-web of involvement in other companys and industries, the auto industry should be aided initialy, but they must be accountable for there performance and adjustments to fuel economy and environmenal friendliness, and still be able to sell cars. If not then they failed and should not keep the job. | ||
| Chellem |
Or maybe we should expect corporate heads to rob there own companys into the ground and take any moneys offered to them wile ignoring the requirements which the money came with. THATS why O canned the GM CEO,he still didn't get it! Nothing was done to change the way they are doing there job! If ANY of us does a poor job at our place of employ we can expect to be released or demoted, not fed a fat bonus! If I fail at my job, and don't provide the best customer service possible, I can expect my competitors to take my customers from me and cause me to fail, thereby ending my venture, lose my store lose my income...no parachute. Why do corporate heads expect to be rewarded for failure? And THAT'S exactly why we shoulda never bailed them out to begin with. For exactly the reasons you said. I also run a small business. You know who gives us money if we fail? MAYBE unemployment. No bailout. He shouldn't have been fired by Obama, because the Government has no business running businesses. ->ChelleM | ||
| Doerman |
GM is in Chapter 11, they are just not calling it that yet. They are working on a pre-packaged chapter 11 that involves the US government as a secure lender. When a chapter 11 occurs, the secured lender (normally a bank - in this case the US government) will insist on replacement of leadership. This is a good thing. It is the current leadership that steered the company in the ditch, so replacement is appropriate. Keep in mind, Wagoner was replaced with the COO of GM and they brought in a person from the Board to run the operations. The government overseer is no different than a bank would do, an auditor to review the operations on an ongoing basis. My point here is this: Events have unfolded as expected in a chapter 11 process. It disgusts me that Michael Moore is turning it into a crowning of Obama and a victory for the little man. It is neither. GM has been the "we say so" corporation for years and years. It is about time to change leadership and operation to groom it for success again. | ||
| J0hn0tt0 |
How long has Wagoner been the CEO? I don't mind the move that Obama took. In fact, I like it. Then again, I'm a young guy living in NYC, so you can assume my political affiliation. I believe in his mission, but I can assure you that I didn't sip any kool-aid. Obama came from a "have-not" background and worked his ass off to a "have" status, now. Isn't that the American dream? After the last 8 years of he-who-must-not-be-named, I welcome Obama with open arms. Agree to disagree if you like, but he's doing a fine job, all things considered*. *Cue someone to come in and say "Well, consider THIS...." (Message edited by j0hn0tt0 on April 02, 2009) (Message edited by j0hn0tt0 on April 02, 2009) | ||
| Court |
>>>He shouldn't have been fired by Obama, because the Government has no business running businesses. Precisely. Obama, who has never worked a paying job nor led a single individual prior to his election, just ain't that bright. I live in New York City and the only salvation is that "money finds a way". The folks here in town have all, from the moment it looked like he'd be elected, arranged things to avoid some for the proposed ridiculous taxes on productivity, He campaigned, to quote him . . on a platform of "save and invest" and, since assuming office, has saddled the United States with more debt than all the Presidents in history, from Washington to Bush, combined. He lied. He, time and time again, preached "no ear marks" . . . then sent a spending bill to congress with 4,000 ridiculous (the smell of pig shit one really makes me laugh) ear marks. He lied. The government that is taking over the banks and financial institutions is the same one that seized the Mustang Ranch ••••• house. . . that was a cash machine . . . and drove it into bankruptcy in month. The guys are idiots. Where are our leaders. But . . . it is fun watching the world leader play him like a fool. Let's see what he does about North Korea's launch . . . maybe he'll organize their neighborhood. By the way . . . I was pleased to see him trying to get my old pal from Kansas out of the state . . . let's see if she can get appointed with her tax woes. When was the last time one of you guys gave $5,000 to a charity in a town of 10,000 folks, "lost the receipt" and the charity couldn't "remember" the donation. . . . and THREE times in a year? These folk really think we are buying this. Keep an eye on Rahm. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I believe in his mission, but I can assure you that didn't sip any kool-aid. HAHAHAHAHAHA HA HAHAHA HAHA HA HA HAHAHAH AHH HA HA HA HA HA H!!!!! Oh god... that was a good one... I forget who said it first, but isn't there some quote out there about how a government should be afriad of their people and not the other way around? I'm terrified. | ||
| J0hn0tt0 |
HAHAHAHAHAHA HA HAHAHA HAHA HA HA HAHAHAH AHH HA HA HA HA HA H!!!!! Oh god... that was a good one... I forget who said it first, but isn't there some quote out there about how a government should be afriad of their people and not the other way around? I'm terrified. I don't get what was so funny about that. I'm not going to get into an ideological argument. If you're gonna laugh at me and not give a reason why, then I'm more terrified of the people in this country than the President. WHY are you terrified and WHY did you laugh at me? I don't understand why people say Obama has put us into this debt after the last 8 years with Bush. I mean, Obama's only been in office for something like 2-3 months now. What could he have done that quickly to make things that much worse than what Bush did? I'm asking a serious question -- not being sarcastic.} | ||
| Tom_b |
Why should the United States government be afraid of the people? explain that one to me. Over 70 percent of the population doesn't even bother to vote. do you SERIOUSLY think such a passive population would even bother to think about anyone besides themselves or whatever racial, or special demographic they feel thy should fall in. Tell me why the government should be afraid??? Bush totally screwed up our country and nobody did shit. What will the people do about Obama?? NOTHING just like Bush who really screwed up.NOTHING just like when Clinton did, NOTHING just like Regean. Talk, talk, talk.. | ||
| Tom_b |
So Micheal Moore is continuing his political attack on Obama just as he did on Bush with out backing his accusations with facts. Did he bother stating that GM has lost money for the last 4 years despite posting record volume of sales in 2007? Of course he didn't. the only difference is the govt. didn't ask for the resignation of chrysler or any big finanace companies. So why would moore complain about this?? Why not complain about the fact that even with govt. bailout the big three are still moving more jobs to mexico. GM and ford both have plans on expanding thier mexico plants, Micheal Moore is trying to do the same thing Oliver Stone did 20 yrs and make a name for himself by doing "dramam-doucumentaries" and running his mouth in the mean time to keep himself on the public stage (Message edited by tom_b on April 03, 2009) | ||
| Too_tall_ss |
The Gov is only bailing out 2, Ford hasn't asked for any money. | ||
| Court |
>>>I don't understand why people say Obama has put us into this debt after the last 8 years with Bush. I mean, Obama's only been in office for something like 2-3 months now. Let me help you understand. In the first 60 days Obama was in office he committed us to something on the order of $6,000,000,000,000 in debt. Obama, in those first 60 days, racked up more debt THAN ALL THE PRESIDENTS FROM WASHINGTON TO BUSH COMBINED. In addition, Obama and his minions (at least 6 of whom are lobbyists and criminals in conflict with his campaign promises) have now stepped up and are hiring, firing and taking control (how funny was that about folks calling the White House for GM warranty work after he said he'd guarantee it) of corporations. Don't be swayed by the silly . . . :"well the government put the money in, they control it". Stockholders do NOT hire and fire personnel and Obama has neutered the GM Board of Directors. That may not be a bad thing, but he should have put folks on the board, not circumvented them. I was also amazed yesterday . . . . . as the neighborhood organizer and his wife in the rented designed clothes were stumbling through the United Kingdom like drunks in a fancy restaurant . . . to hear him and Geithner, again after the campaign promised of TOTAL TRANSPARENCY, say that they would not release or reveal the details of the bank "bail out" plan . . .guess what? . . I'd be dollars to donuts they, just like when Timmy Tax Cheat made his stupid speech . . that there is no plan. Obama is just not a very bright guy and he's surrounding himself with some of the most incompetent folks in the country. The bitch slapping he's taking at the G20 (they quickly tosses his one concrete "won't negotiate" position in the trash yesterday and did the opposite) is evidence of the erosion of the United States in the global community. Bush was an intellectual midget. Obama is simply a very bright guy who has never held a paying job or lived in a house someone didn't provide for him who has no contact with "practical application". I predict in his quest to slap Wall Street around he'll get his lesson. Money finds a way. Keep an eye on Rahm. In addition . . keep a close eye on what is happening to Chris Dodd. It was a mere 90 days ago that he was the "safest" politician in the country. He ratings have fallen as rapidly at the Big O's. My distrust of Obama is not based in politics but in my beliefs as an independent businessman and entrepreneur. The entire idea that someone is going to set "upper limits" on my salary and the level that I am allowed to achieve is ludicrous. It's kinda the "no citizen left behind" doctrine . . . if we keep everyone held down to average. What a shame. I was looking at a GM when all this started. We were looking at 2 new cars in May . . . . after this, you can bet your ass they'll be imported. | ||
| Spike |
This might shed some light on the subject:  |
