[Mr. Wyndham]

I wanted to share this with those who could use a letter to send off to their congressmen/women. Or with those who just wanted to read something "interesting".

I don't mind one bit if anybody wants to copy/paste this to their senators/representatives. In fact, I encourage you to!!! TAG UR IT is already sending it to his senators in Texas, for instance. We can make a difference...these people need to hear from us whether they want to or not. They don't work for their parties -- they work for You and Me, so tell them what to do.

EDIT: Take care, though -- this letter is not about the current administration. I only mentioned it in order to draw a contrast between the big bailout package, and this bridge loan. So don't get offended, or post angry responses, please. This is about the Big Three.

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Dear Senator xxxxxxxx,

I am a 20 year old college student attending Buffalo State College. I am earning a Technology Education degree, and expect to graduate on time in 2011. I am also a very concerned American. And I want to express my concerns to you as my elected representative in congress. Also know that I sent this verbatim to the other senator.

I must say that I am disappointed in the United States Congress. This body shelled out 700 Billion dollars and gave it to the Bush Administration about a month ago with, as far as I’ve been informed, very little strings attached. Or else they were weak strings. Congress gave control of this obscene amount of money to an administration that has shown ZERO competence in the area of finances.. Yet we were supposed to trust them to handle it properly. Unfortunately, they are not -- instead they are exemplifying their incompetence, yet again. I supported the “bailout” package under one condition; that it was NOT given to the administration to do as they will with it. It was much too large a sum to be thrown about – but I felt it COULD help us out of this slump. Unfortunately, I did not make my voice known. And so, like many other issues – the concerns of this taxpayer went largely unnoticed. That was a mistake. I intend not to make the same one again, so I am contacting you with the genuine hope of a non-automated reply.

As you well know, there is a very polarizing issue surrounding the “Big Three” US automakers, General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford. I have been following the Auto Industry extensively for the past 3 years – making mental and digital note of any significant changes and shifts in ideology. I know they weren’t spectacular 10 years ago. To say they were competitive with foreign automakers would be a laughable statement. These companies that took advantage of the “Big Three’s” contentment with the vehicles they were producing. The Foreign makers very quickly surpassed GM, Ford, and Chrysler in terms of quality and efficiency, and in so doing, rapidly gained the respect of the American people for their product. Now, times have changed, domestic vehicles are on par or BETTER than their foreign competitors (according to JDPower and Associates, and many other automobile publications). They are slowly earning the respect of the American people back with quality products like the Chevy Malibu, the Ford Edge, and the Chrysler Town & Country. This will be a difficult task; but it is a task that I believe they are ready to take on.

The changes they’ve made in terms of management, operating costs, and labor costs in order to become more competitive with the invading foreign companies are astounding. WITHOUT the government’s aid or instruction, they took on multi-billion dollar restructuring plans designed to eliminate the quality, reliability, efficiency, and cost gap between them and foreign makers. In 2010, the most significant of these changes will take effect; the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association, which will shift the entire healthcare burden from the company to the union. UAW employees have also conceded that all new hires will make HALF of what they used to. These and other moves have nearly eliminated the cost gap between Domestic and foreign companies. They also hired and “freed” employees and executives to create breathtaking new products that are class-leading in every way. The Malibu, for instance, has the HIGHEST non-hybrid fuel economy rating in the entire market, and recently won a Car of the Year award. There are many, many, many more vehicles like this in their lineup. However, due to the funds they poured into this restructuring, they were not ready for such a rapid deterioration of the economy and car market (which, to be honest, was largely allowed to happen by the government due to lack of oversight and accountability). In my opinion, they got burned by doing what was RIGHT: reshaping their business on their own.

I’ve been watching the hearings yesterday, and today…and I found it personally insulting how obnoxious some of the senators seemed to be towards the CEOs, as though this was entirely their fault. Two of them, Mr. Mullaly and Mr. Nardelli, were hired within the last year – so how could it be THEIR faults?? And Mr. Wagoner is responsible for investing in China’s emerging car market – returning some funds to the US, and increasing our standing in the global market. China Loves their Buicks. Such behavior and attitude seemed to exhibit some sense of ineptitude on the part of our congress, and a general lack of knowledge. This is very disappointing, because these men and women are supposed to be our leaders, how can they be so ill-informed? The request the automakers are making is NOT a big one. They want a 25 billion dollar loan in order to sustain themselves till 2010. This money is not being infused into a volatile marketplace under the direction of an inept administration like the “Bailout” package; it’s being infused into three companies that pledge to pay it back in full with interest! And these companies are poised to take back the market – they just need valuable time. And I might remind you that the last time congress helped its automakers (Chrysler, some 30 years ago), they repaid the loan early, and made the taxpayers some money in the deal. Why is this expected to be any different? However, I had hoped that the senators on the committee would make the right choice. I had faith (perhaps it was misplaced) that they would help our ailing automakers.

However I read an article today that said that congress has cancelled a vote on this bill. And I’m finding resistance of all sorts to this request for the money. Why? How is that possible? And what does congress intend to do about it?

I am severely disappointed in our ‘leaders’ leadership. For the record, I WANT you and the other senators to vote FOR this legislation. Yet you all seem willing to allow a vital industry to fail, and risk sending our economy spiraling into a full-scale depression because you don’t want to loan a paltry 25 billion dollars (that will be paid back!). I would very much appreciate a response, non-automated, that explains the situation in congress to me. An explanation of what you intend to do to save the “Big Three”.

Thank you, Senator.

Sincerely,
"Me"