In trying to make sense about the talk of the proposed auto company bailout by congress I have run across some interesting, and as usual misleading information.

I found this chart at a place called Gateway Pundit which seems to present a rather conservative point of view so the anti union stance should be expected I guess. It appears to say that US autoworkers make over $70,000 a year. However that is the total compensation package and a very large piece of that is HEALTH INSURANCE.

 

The UAW has negotiated it’s members excellent health coverage over the years and the auto makers have to pay more and more each year to provide it. Just like everyone else in the US, the auto industry is a victim of the healthcare system. Why can import car manufacturer’s make better cars for less? It’s a safe bet that they work in countries with national health care because EVERY OTHER INDUSTRIALIZED NATION HAS IT!

 

Only in the United States of America  are companies and workers forced to pay for the red tape, buracracy and inflated executive salaries associated with the helth care business and receive less and less for that money as the years go by. How can anyone  expect us to “compete in the global market” when the healthcare business rakes ther percentage out of each and every business transaction?

 

I’m not saying the auto workers and the UAW are blameless here. Some of the perks that they have negotiated might seem like a little too much gravy. But having adequate health coverage should not be a negotiated benefit… it should be guaranteed to everyone in this country. It’s just good business.