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Nebraska's House members vote no to auto bailout

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By the Lincoln Journal Star

Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008 - 08:26:01 pm CST

Nebraska’s three Republican House members voted against legislation to provide federal loans to automakers Wednesday.

“I don’t want to see any family face unemployment,” Rep. Jeff Fortenberry said.

“And a vibrant, sustainable domestic auto industry is in everyone’s best interest. 

Story Photo
Jeff Fortenberry (LJS file)

Related Link(s):


12.10.08: House OKs $14B auto bill -- but it’s still in peril

“However, this policy continues to underwrite the same structures that have led to the current difficulties.”

Fortenberry said he fears that “this temporary measure only sets up the taxpayer for further exposure in the future.”

Rep. Lee Terry said the legislation does not create the change that is needed in the auto industry.

“This bill is a handout to be used for cash flow, which is no different from what they asked for the first time,” Terry said.

Rep. Adrian Smith said every American and every American town is struggling in the economic recession.

“We need to enact policies which truly benefit every town, not just Detroit,” he said.

“Auto companies need to revamp their practices and must invest in new ideas such as energy research and sound business management if they are going to survive,” Smith said.


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THE wrote on December 10, 2008 8:45 pm:
" Funny thing is that these same people and party put the u.s. in the fix we're in now.
Funnier is that by voting no they can blame it all on the democrats.
Hey, so far I've been right about most of the things concerning the economy and I only have a bachelor of science.
I said three days ago the rich would run the market up to 9000 then jump back take their gains and run it back down to buy cheap again. I won.
I said two years ago, the government wouldn't let the boomers retire and guess what> I won. WE'RE #1 WE'RE#1 I'm right but I'm broke. Thanks REPUBLICANS............................ "
Sue Eckley wrote on December 10, 2008 9:00 pm:
" Wow - my faith is restored! If we continue to "bail out" and friends, it IS a bail out - then it will not stop. EVER. Let me ask you this - whether you are a business owner or just Joe Citizen - how long does it take you to realize that your lifestyle or spending or business plan needs to change? When you decide you have no more money or when would that exactly happen? So - you come to the government trough and expect someone to say - well you made bad choices and bad decisions - let me help you? Not so much! Nobody bails me out for my poor choices. So - what are we left to think? That maybe the car manufacturers need to look at ways to increase gas mileage (which we have had for YEARS) and maybe not have the attitude that we are not so full of ourselves that we stopped listening to our consumers. Well there's the deal- we are so important - OR NOT -we are at the government trough saying save me!! "
You blew it wrote on December 10, 2008 9:52 pm:
" We need to vote to help the auto makers. Too many people need these jobs. "
Yup wrote on December 10, 2008 11:23 pm:
" There are better ways to restructure and grow the big 3 besides giving them a bailout. Thank you for recognizing it. Some people are going to lose their jobs, no matter if they get a bailout or not. If you help the auto workers, are you going to help the factories making tools, how about the restaurants going under. There won't be enough money to bail out everyone that will fail in the next 4 years under Obama. "
Pathetic wrote on December 10, 2008 11:51 pm:
" Stick to your guns, fellas. Who cares about 2.5 million manufacturing jobs, and the millions more who work at auto dealerships and parts manufacturers? This country doesn't need a manufacturing sector; we have credit default swaps! "
weliveheretoo wrote on December 11, 2008 1:19 am:
" Figures!!! why do you keep voting for these guys? "
Galen wrote on December 11, 2008 4:06 am:
" At least somebody has the nerve to do whats right. These companies - and the unions - NEED to restructure. They need to take a SERIOUS look at the money they waste by funding union rule and laid-off workers. A lot of folks are going to be unemployed EITHER way. At least by not giving the bailout, the "status quo" will end and things will be more managable. "
dr31034 wrote on December 11, 2008 6:09 am:
" I agree with Congressmen Smith, Terry, and Fortenberry. The Federal government shouldn't hand out money to 3 failing private companies. They should go through Chapter 11 like any other industry if they can't make their current business work the way it is structured. Why is it that Toyota and General Motors both sold the same amount of cars in 2007, and Toyota made money, and General Motors didn't. That seems to be the question they don't want to face up to. "
Where were you during the Financial bailout wrote on December 11, 2008 8:01 am:
" Can't you see the hypocrisy? We passed a 750 billion bail out for the financial industry with virtually none of this tough talk from our Reps about how the money should be spent or changing business plans or asking for concessions from workers, etc......and in turn the financial sector used that money like sailors on shore leave, funding lavish retreates and executive salaries, without a trace of shame. But the right wingers and a ill informed media (80$ an hour? Please, it aint' true, do a little research) have managed to combat a bail out that is truly needed and has much more impact on small town america. 1 in 10 jobs are related to the auto industry. Compared to 1-200 for the financial sector. I have a simple question, why the overly draconian expectations for the auto bailout when we threw literally 50 TIMES AS MUCH MONEY (750 billion compared to the 15 billion being discussed for Detroit) at the financial bailout and required significantly less oversight? Whats wrong with this picture? "
ted wrote on December 11, 2008 10:14 am:
" Republicans do not run the American auto companies. All these auto states are run by Democrats and their labor unions. These unions gave $458 million to the Democrats in the last election. The Republicans also voted not to support the TARP financial bailout. They will eventually be proven right. "
To Ted wrote on December 11, 2008 11:45 am:
" Republicans most certainly voted for the TARP bailout....lest it wouldn't have passed. I wonder who has more influence on politics, unions or the financial industry? Hmmmm....how much did employees from AIG, Citi Financial, Lehman Bros, etc.. contribute to Reps? Would the fact that the auto bailout has stalled or has taken so long be an indication of the relative clout between the two sectors? Hmmm......this notion that Unions are the downfall of these companies is fantasy spun by right wing mouthpieces. Too bad we all don't have union representation, then maybe we'd have a middle class again. Regardless, Union representation in this country is less than 12% of the workforce, and furthermore, the UAW has conceded staggering wage and benefit cuts in order to aid the bailout process. Typical that the right wingers would attempt to attach blame to the big bad unions.....similar to trying to blame the mortgage meltdown on poor and minority credit risks. Ted, you've already been proven wrong, you just don't know it yet. "
Jeff K. wrote on December 11, 2008 12:32 pm:
" I see Congressman Smith believes that Congress should enact policies that benefit every town. Apparently he has missed the layoffs in Cozad, Seward, and Lincoln - just a few examples -which are linked to the slowdown in the American auto industry. Germany, Japan, and China economically support their car manufacturers because they understand this is a basic industry worth preserving. I wish our Nebraska Congressmen could figure that out. "
STF wrote on December 11, 2008 1:00 pm:
" Pelosi and Barney Frank led the parade for the 700 billion bailout. They were screaming at the republicans to pass the bill. So how can anyone say the 700 billion bailout is the republicans fault? This auto bailout is crafted entirely by the democrats, no republicans were allowed. Somehow if it passes and if it fails it will be the republicans fault again! "

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