For a left winger who loves the word "nuanced," Rachel Maddow of MSNBC and Air America Radio struggles with simple analogies.
The unacknowledged Democratic agitprop mouthpiece seized on news of Toyota projecting its first operating loss since 1938 as evidence that unsustainable labor and legacy costs are not to blame for Detroit's malaise.
Here's what Maddow said on her radio show Dec. 22 --
With the economic trouble that we're in and the steps that are being taken to try to figure out the way forward and also to figure out how our politics maps onto something that doesn't have a lot of innate partisan character, I feel like we could learn a lot from the way that other countries are doing things, just in terms of being able to explain the utility of our actions. I know that sounds a little bit vague but let me explain what I mean ...
The argument in the United States has been mapped onto partisan politics as such -- the Southern Republican conservative senators who represent states that have foreign, non-union automakers operating in their states, they've got, you know, whether it's Mercedes or BMW or Nissan or Kia, these Southern senators who represent these states that gave huge state subsidies to these foreign companies to get them to relocate there in order to create jobs in Southern states, they have made an argument against government assistance for domestic auto companies to save jobs on the grounds that the difference between these two scenarios -- government giving money and breaks to companies for the purposes of jobs -- the difference between these two scenarios, they said, is essentially that the domestic car companies should go bust because they have unions and unions are bad. And if they didn't have unions, they'd be doing fine.
So now we've got Toyota reporting its first-ever operating loss, well not first ever, they had one in 1938, first operating loss in 70 years and it sort of gives lie to the domestic arguments here, right? If the problem is, as defined by the Southern anti-car bailout senators in the United States, is that the Big Three have unions and otherwise they'd be doing fine, if we could just bust their unions, then we'll succeed in our policy goals, you get told, you get shown the big lie about that by looking at the way that the car industry is suffering around the world, totally regardless of unionization of the workforce.Right now if UAW, if unionized auto workers in Detroit were working for free, were not taking a wage, the Big Three would still be going under in the economic climate that we're in right now.
Workers not only make far more than the prevailing wage in the rural areas where most plants are located but considerably more than every state's average wage. With overtime, they can earn $70,000 or more a year at some plants. Average pay and benefits: roughly $45.
The UAW has been able to force only three elections at the foreign-owned plants. The union lost overwhelmingly at Nissan's Tennessee plant in 1989, failed in another election there, and lost at the Mercedes plant in Alabama. The UAW might thwart better if "card check" is approved by Congress next year, allowing organizers to succeed without the need to win a secret ballot election. But the transplants should still have little trouble thwarting UAW organizers.
Embarrassed by the success of the foreigners, the Big 3 carmakers and the United Auto Workers (UAW) claim the tax and other "incentives" the transplants get from state and local governments in the South are no different than the subsidies they're seeking in Washington. But that's not quite true. "There's a big difference between a subsidy and an incentive," says Michael Randle, president of Southern Business and Development and an expert on the southern auto industry. "A subsidy pays to keep jobs. An incentive pays to bring them. If you're paying to keep them, it means somebody wants to leave. ...... So far, these investments have paid off handsomely. Michael Randle points to the case of Alabama, which has delivered $1.2 billion in incentives to four automakers. The companies, in turn, have spent $20 billion in salaries alone to their employees. "If Warren Buffett took $1.2 billion and turned it into $20 billion in 10 years, he'd be called a genius."
The 35-year-old Maddow often tells her listeners that she still loves comic books. Suffice it to say, Marx remains a huge influence for her as well. How could Maddow not gush about a melding of the two?
To borrow from Flannery O'Connor, there's a novel in everyone -- and most of them should stay there.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
what?
December 29, 2008 - 10:09 ET by AJBWhat's with the Lance Bass picture accompanying the article? Did you get your pics mixed up?
Separated at birth from KD
December 29, 2008 - 11:13 ET by krendlerSeparated at birth from KD Lang (sorry, KD).
Most heterosexual liberals
December 29, 2008 - 10:16 ET by marpelMost heterosexual liberals are closet homophobes (IMHO); therefore, I have a hard time believing that anyone other than the female gay population watch this android.
So many reasons
December 29, 2008 - 10:20 ET by nkviking75There are so many other reasons not to watch Maddow, such as raging stupidity and lack of talent. Why blame it on bigotry?
Welcome to the era of unity, you racist!
CNN = the Gay Network
December 29, 2008 - 10:24 ET by PopularTechBetween AC/DC Cooper and Maddow, I can't watch that channel. Since they both blatantly push the gay agenda of brainwashing people about imaginary "gay rights".
MTV has been pushing it hard too. The backlash is in the ratings.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is Not Pollution
WRONG
December 29, 2008 - 10:43 ET by AJBhomophobes? That's the biggest bag of crap going around today. If anything, we're homo-intolerant. Giving special rights to people's bad choice is wrong.
How tolerant are YOU?? Are you going to fight for my right to marry my sheep, Bessie, my dead grandmother and my cub scout next door? Why are those choices 'bad' but homo sex 'good'??
What...?
December 29, 2008 - 10:52 ET by StarAZSomeone is marrying a sheep? What? I drifted off there for a second. Are congrats in order? It's not a baaaad thing.
test
December 29, 2008 - 11:15 ET by AJBIt's my 'tolerance' test. If two men can marry, then what other boundaries will you cross? Sheep? Dead women? Cub scouts? Poligamy? Bank robbery? Wife beating?
If you have no choice in the matter of who you get in bed with, or what actions you're compelled to take, then do away with all 'rules' governing 'behavior'. After all, we're made that way, right?
Marpel - you are. . . .
December 29, 2008 - 11:18 ET by kdizzydazeSo right about that. DING - Nailed it!!!
Truth be told -- I have a family member that is a total lib and he has, on more than one occasion explained to me that he cannot stand fags (his words) and how gays sicken him (again, his words - seriously).
Of coures the socialist-generation of love ("we ended the vietnam war" but don't ask me about the Khmer Rouge)-redistribution of wealth-Bush is a retard and I am an idiot for supporting him (or our troops) talk flows effortlessly.
Wow, what an inclusive, caring, accepting guy, don'tcha think? <sarc off>
Well, I have many gay
December 29, 2008 - 11:33 ET by marpelWell, I have many gay friends, and they have told me the same thing. One of my best friends, a gay guy, who is in a long time domestic partnership with another guy and with 5 kids, is very intolerant of what he calls "fags". He doesn't like the outwardly feminine mannerisms. He says that's all a show.
So, I am not homophobic or "homo-intolerant". But, the liberals are both, and they're in the closet about it. That's all I was pointing out.
:o)
marpel... I don't know if
December 29, 2008 - 11:49 ET by Clear thinkermarpel...
I don't know if you are male or female so my opinion may not be fully comprehended. But as a male, I think you will find homophobia mostly a guy thing.
Israeli Attack Confusion?
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
Hi, Clear thinker...Yes, I
December 29, 2008 - 13:01 ET by marpelHi, Clear thinker...Yes, I think you're right about men having more of an issue. I am a female, and I know we're more tolerant.
I have such a hard time
December 29, 2008 - 10:18 ET by sherylsimsI have such a hard time following her thought process... is it just me, or does she make no sense at all?
I think I figured it out.
December 29, 2008 - 10:21 ET by sherylsimsI think I figured it out. Run-on sentences and partial, unfinished thoughts. Maybe it isn't just me. (It is still quite early out here in Kalifornia)
Pretty easy
December 29, 2008 - 10:51 ET by StarAZI never EVER watch her. It helps solve everything.
I'm with you Shery.
December 29, 2008 - 11:00 ET by dronetekReading that was like listening to a pot head ramble.
Maddow continues spewing her economic ignorance
December 29, 2008 - 10:21 ET by PopularTechBig Three Bailout - Give Me a Break (Video) (5min) (John Stossel, 20/20)
Where Would GM Be Without the United Automobile Workers Union? (George Reisman, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Economics)
"Without the UAW, General Motors would not be faced with extinction. Instead, it would almost certainly be a vastly larger, far more prosperous company, producing more and better motor vehicles than ever before, at far lower costs of production and prices than it does today, and providing employment to hundreds of thousands more workers than it does today. Few things are more obvious than that the role of the UAW in relation to General Motors has been that of a swarm of bloodsucking leeches, a swarm that will not stop until its prey exists no more. It is difficult to believe that people who have been neither lobotomized nor castrated would not rise up and demand that these leeches finally be pulled off!" - George Reisman, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Economics
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is Not Pollution
Who cares what this person has to say?
December 29, 2008 - 10:43 ET by cwmore disturbing to me are the actions of our president. Finally holding the chips in his hand to force real "change" on the UAW and again totally dropping the ball. Nothing like setting up the incoming spendocrat!!
OK, so what exactly is it
December 29, 2008 - 10:51 ET by RR GOPOK, so what exactly is it that makes MadCow's or any other so-called journalist's opinions on such matters any more valid than any Average Joe like us sitting here posting our opinions on the matter?
Their job was supposed to be the reporting of what true experts say on a particular matter, and if they editorialized they were to make that clear.
Oh, but this isn't 1960 anymore and me being a crotchety old Conservative had just better learn to move with the times and accept that what the MSM is doing now was always what they did and how it is actually supposed to be. Silly me.
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
RR GOP... "OK, so what
December 29, 2008 - 10:56 ET by Clear thinkerRR GOP...
"OK, so what exactly is it that makes MadCow's or any other so-called journalist's opinions on such matters any more valid than any Average Joe like us sitting here posting our opinions on the matter?"
Absolutely nothing! Many times I get the feeling that we bloggers have better info than do these supposed know-it-alls. And there are times when I know for a fact that my opinion is derived from real info and not ideology.
Israeli Attack Confusion?
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
"Is Maddow so deep in the
December 29, 2008 - 11:06 ET by kg"Is Maddow so deep in the tank for Democrats she's incapable of discerning the flaw in her analogy?"
In one word....YES!
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
As the article reads that
December 29, 2008 - 11:08 ET by AcrosAs the article reads that Toyota is reporting a loss for this quarter which is understandable in this economy but for MadCow to compare this with the big three going bankrupt is comparing apples to oranges. Your going to tell me that if I pay someone $75 an hour compared to $45 per hour with the same thing being produced which company do you think will go under first. It common math which MadCow can't do!!!!11
Bailout/Subsidies, what's the difference?
December 29, 2008 - 11:27 ET by OxyConDoesn't the Japanese government frequently give Toyota money through subsidies? Along with the Japanese steel industry? In fact, aren't all the Japanese industries involved in the manufacturing of automobiles, subsidised by the Japanese government/taxpayers?
A $20,000 Toyota would probably cost $30,000 without the Japanese government subsidies.
The fossil media is always
December 29, 2008 - 12:44 ET by EdhenryThe fossil media is always incorrect about economics. Either they don't know (usual case) or deliberatly lying to promote anti-american, communist agenda. Problem is uniformed public is getting bad information, as usual.
Tell them to stick to baby killing, unfairness doctrine and gun bans. (first 2 amendments that they like to torture or stomp).
Add This One
December 29, 2008 - 13:40 ET by capavI posted before that Maddow has her "Lame Duck Watch" segment about Bush on her show. This can be added to the "Lame Dyke Watch".
good article but who's the dude?
December 29, 2008 - 14:35 ET by sam.i.amSo whose the guy in the pic
December 29, 2008 - 14:35 ET by GlennSo whose the guy in the pic and any idea why his parents named him Rachel?
O.k, 2 things here. First,
December 29, 2008 - 15:38 ET by thebutlerdiditO.k, 2 things here. First, I am from the South, and I am damn tired of being told how weird, ignorant, and intolerant we are. I live outside of Atlanta. Gay Pride Parade, anyone? There are scores of libs{gays} here, and it just makes me sick that we are treated like we haven't ever seen a real live gay before. As for Maddow, I can't figure it out. The voice thing gets me. Either she is a he taking drugs to be a she, or vice versa. She is just not your run of the mill lesbo. She{he} creeps me out, and it's not the gay thing. It just the whole weird thing. I also find her{him} to be very immature, very fitting for the Olby/ Matthews network.
No.2- Living in the South, I see what a great thing these plants have been for the people living in these towns. As for them getting incentives to locate, the plants usually pick out 3-4 options then go with the one they like best. Is it becuase of the incentives? Probably, but in the North they offer the same incentives. I saw on the tv where they offered one company, don't remember which a big chunk o change to open there. It is a common occurance. I have some distant family members who work at the Mercedes plant, and they love their job, and they make fabulous $$ for the area. So Maddog can blow it out her{his} ear.
The 35-year-old Maddow
December 29, 2008 - 17:34 ET by bigtimerThe 35-year-old Maddow often tells her listeners that she still loves comic books. Suffice it to say, Marx remains a huge influence for her as well. How could Maddow not gush about a melding of the two?
You summed it up Jack....I cannot watch her whatsoever....hard enough to try to read all of this....Olbie loves her though...after-all, rumor has it (he himself) helped create/make sure she had this silly, tripe-filled, socialist spewing agenda of theirs for an hour week-nights.
I haven't been able to stand her since she first started on CNN.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
→ Maddow's America
December 29, 2008 - 21:02 ET by Cool ArrowMs Maddow seems to be of the opinion that only Detroit can make cars.
Well, Detroit isn't doing much for me these days. We do have autoworkers in Texas, though.
Great, now I will be singing
December 29, 2008 - 22:31 ET by mostlymoderateGreat, now I will be singing that stupid song, "Dude Look Like A Lady!" By the way, if a student screws up and earns a D on a paper, can he be bailed out? What about the little business owner down the street that can't get any customers. Can he get bailed out? How about those television shows that get cancelled or those movies that don't make it? Can they get bailed out? Bailout's go against the grain of supply/demand, kill/be killed, and capitalism in general.
Ummm... Rachel...
December 30, 2008 - 11:02 ET by Reality Check...if the Big 3 were reporting their "first-ever operating loss" right now, we wouldn't need to bail them out.
The difference is that in good economic times (during the Bush Boom), Toyota made money in America, while Chrysler, GM and (to a lesser extent) Ford did not. Because of the unions. Case closed.
Rachel, say it after me. The big 3 lost money during the Bush Boom because of the unions.
Reality Check