—–Original Message—–
From: GM Grassroots [mailto:grassroots@gm.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 8:42 AM
To:
Subject: Your message to Congress
Dear —
Thank you for letting Congress know that you think the American auto industry is a part of the fabric of America.
Here is a copy of the actual message you sent to let them know how you feel about saving this critical American industry.
“I am a consumer who believes it is important to have an American car industry in this country. I am asking for your help.
Some critics call helping America’s automobile industry a bailout. I strongly believe this is an investment to rebuild our nation’s economic engine. If we do nothing, the future our country faces during this downturn is clear. We will see even more economic upheaval, communities will lose substantial businesses and revenue, and thousands of jobs will disappear. The negative impact will be worse than anything we’ve seen in our lifetime.
We are at a crossroads, where given the opportunity, our nation’s auto manufacturers can lead once again. In 2010, we will see labor and health care reforms kick in. We will also see new electric vehicles introduced that will help reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil. And if it weren’t for the recent credit crunch, these companies would be on the road to succeed.
If Congress does not act, it will be the shortest and fastest road from recession to depression. Our economy is suffering enough. Please help prevent further job losses and devastation to our communities. I am asking that you give our nation’s car companies the opportunity to complete this turnaround.
We cannot afford to lose this cornerstone of our economy. We should not depend on other nations for our manufacturing capabilities or new technologies. And we do not want to contribute to an even deeper collapse that will leave too many people facing further economic uncertainty.”
Not only that but GM is saying that failure to give them the cash will mean development of the Volt will be “negatively impacted”.
When I heard that I immediately E-mailed my congressman and told him that if I didn’t get a bailout of my very own I was going to go out and strangle a puppy.
I’m not sure what the dictionary definition of the word is, but isn’t this the EXACT OPPOSITE of a ‘grassroots’ effort???
Know what? If you really want a chance that your elected representatives will read your correspondence, you actually have to write a polite, well-reasoned letter yourself. These form letters are largely ineffective.
Stupid, stupid, stupid!
What evidence does GM have that 2010 will be the magical year?
And who says this recession won’t be any worse than the one we endured in 1980-82? That one was pretty bad too, but we got through it okay.
“And if it weren’t for the recent credit crunch, these companies would be on the road to succeed.” Har, har, har. GM hasn’t made a full-year profit since 2004, and TTAC started the Death Watch the next year. Credit crunch, my foot!
“The negative impact will be worse than anything we’ve seen in our lifetime.” There are still lots of Americans alive who went through the Great Depression.
And who says this recession won’t be any worse than the one we endured in 1980-82? That one was pretty bad too, but we got through it okay.
But the Big 2.11 might not get through it okay. And I have to ask, if they do make it with a federal bailout will they thank the taxpayer or go back to treating us shabbily?
John
If this is going out to GM customer’s then there won’t be that many going out. All the money GM is spending on this campaign could have gone to product development. I bet there are thousands of engineers whose good projects are starving and who are being force to shave pennies off components. What a waste.
I’m really rather heartened by the general response to the bailout. It was pretty much accepted wisdom on these boards that when it came to this the government would be falling over itself to hand out cash. At least there seems to be a real fight going on.
Also, the public’s response has been pretty heartening too, since the anticipated wave of protectionist jingoism doesn’t seem to be developing any power.
I’m half optimistic this whole thing will end up about as well as it possibly can.
toxicroach: word
After the where given the opportunity, our nation’s auto manufacturers can lead once again I wonder if the writer muttered to themselves ‘which we will try not to blow’.
Seriously, GMs self pity of late makes me want to drop kick my monitor.
Know what? If you really want a chance that your elected representatives will read your correspondence, you actually have to write a polite, well-reasoned letter yourself. These form letters are largely ineffective.
I bet Toyota and Honda make MUCH better letters to congressmen…
… and I’m sure that the 200 or so of them they have left said in unison: “But the bank just repossessed the last one you sold me this morning!”. *cymbal clash*
I kid, I kid.
Maybe…
oh please. Your chances that your Rep actually reads your letter is nil. They have an illiterate punk staffer tally your letter as pro or con and send back a form letter.
Might as well send in, ” No bailout please.”
Isn’t GM inflicting the wounds upon itself which it says would be the consequence of a C11 filing? Their argument for not filing is that customers will not buy from a potentially going-out-of-business car company. But, by running the relentless we-are-so-screwed PR campaign aren’t they in fact driving potential customers away?