Two great pieces from the Detroit Free Press

[1gobluedem]

Commentary on Dad as GM worker from today

http://www.freep.com/article/20081125/OPINION02/811250324/1070/OPINION

Gem from Mitch Albom on Sunday

http://www.freep.com/article/20081123/COL01/811230371/1082

[madmom]

1. Both very good reads.. thank you!

[LisaM]

2. It's long been apparent to me that this country does NOT value hard work

I know people who think better of making money off the crap shoot that is the stock market than honoring a good day's work. They think it's a game.

If we lose our manufacturing base, we lose the heart and soul of this country - if we haven't already.

Maybe the auto companies were mismanaged - but they have downsized and produced new vehicles, and received faint praise for it. Meanwhile the Japanese car companies have been allowed to flood our market while we have not had the favor returned.

[Locrian]

3. its sad...

Its sad because economists USED to recognize this as productive (workers) and unproductive (stock market) labor. And TAX it accordingly. Now you are a sucker if you work at something vs play the market.

[sarcasmo]

4. My Father took the buyout this year. 35 years with the same company.

Saginaw Steering Gear most of his 35 years. I still buy GM to this day, that company took care of our family as I grew up and still takes care of my father to this day.

[D-Lee]

5. Great articles! And the first particularly properly identifies union busters

as including elected officials who represent union-adverse states ... they are just as self-interested as those in big business who are anti-union, but their label is less obvious.

It is when unions started being eroded that workers lost enconomic ground and even the ability to support a family ... starting to look like the "company town" and "sweat shop" employees who could barely support themselves on their wages.