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McCain Panders to auto workers
McCain talks to auto workers hit hard by economy
Jul 18, 10:15 AM (ET)
WARREN, Mich. (AP) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain is seeking to bolster his appeal to voters on economic issues by speaking to some of those hardest hit in the recent downturn: auto workers.
McCain is visiting a General Motors Corp. site in Michigan [which is] developing a long-range electric car called the Volt.
After getting a briefing from GM CEO Rick Wagoner and other company officials, McCain is speaking at a town-hall event with workers at the GM Technology Center.
Earlier this week, GM announced $15 billion in cuts as it tries to weather a huge dropoff in sales of trucks and large cars on top of more long-term costs.
McCain has proposed giving a $5,000 tax credit to those who buy a no-emissions car.
GM will continue to be in pain (as will Ford and Chrysler), until they can (1) rid themselves of UAW contract provisions that pay laid-off workers at almost their full working wage, and (2) cut the absurd stock options, bonuses and base pay that the executives receive.
Let's say half a million people take advantage of this proposed tax credit. How is the $2.5 billion cost going to be reimbursed? Taxes on everyone.
Furthermore, where would those half-million vehicles replaced by "no-emissions" ones be junked?
You would expect this loose talk from Obama. Hearing it from McCain simply proves they are two slightly different flavors of the same stuff.