News flash to Nelson Baker:

The Mayor did not "bring Tim Horton's" to Defiance. Like any other business, the Tim Horton's franchise is owned by a private entreprenuer. It was the owner's decision to come to Defiance, and whether his investment pays off or not will depend on whether the public chooses to eat at his restaurant. It's called free enterprise--you ought to familiarize yourself with the concept. I'm continually amazed by uninformed people who think it's up to "the City" and "the Mayor" to decide what businesses can and can't open up here.

I thought this was supposed to be a thread about GM. Why trash someone else's business which has nothing to do with the discussion?

I used to deliver parts to GM here in Defiance.The "Overworked,Underpaid"employees wouldnt unload my product,until ..I Quote."I'll get to you when I'm done reading the paper"..
Maybe our GREAT Mayor(GM product) will bring in another money making franchise to town like he did in Tim Hortons..anybody actually go there???Or maybe when the gas prices keep going up (For no reason except gouging our wallets)the only ones who can afford it will be the GREAT GM Employees...1500 people work there..How many dont in this town?20,000-30,000..WE R THE PEOPLE!!NOT GM EMPLOYEES.

I agree 100%...

ROFL! I always get a chuckle when someone jumps on a poster for spending too much time posting! How would they know if they weren't reading and posting just as much... Hmmmm....

Anyway Duece McCallister, it's my job to read and monitor these news threads. As a covert operative for the Department of Homeland Security I'm tasked to look for conspicuous communist, socialist, marxists and islamo-facist rectal orifices and force them to the surface for apprenhension, interrogation, and potential incarceration at Guantanamo Bay Military facility. That's why I engaged you "Duece", you fit the profile and as soon as I discover your real identity, then the fun begins.

Just make it easy for us all "Duece", what's your name? Huh... Tell us o'soldier of whining expectation. What's on your birth certificate?


Signed "Valerie Plame"

Apparently you dont have much of a life, do you revieira1? How many comments are you going to leave on here? Get offline, go outside and get the stink blowed off of you. And you know what, your comment, YOU made your bed. If you don't like the linens, look in the Mirror and deal with that person, couldn't have been said any better. Maybe all you crybabies at GM should look in the mirror and stop your belly-aching. And im pretty sure the saying goes, you made your bed, now lie in it, nobody cares to hear about your stained linens! People like you make me sick, why would life for you be rotten? When you need your diaper changed, your 'union officials' came and wiped your butts clean. You have nothing to complain about. Fifteen days and counting. BRING ON THE BANKRUPTCY HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Someone once made this statement: It is better to keep quiet and not speak and let everyone think you are an idiot,.....then to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

GM workers deserve what they negotiated to receive. No more and no less. The physical taxation of a job does not, in and of itself, make it a more credible or worthy vocation. A job is NOT a blessing, it is the result of many blessings, but not a blessing itself. It's really easy to digest if you are so inclined.

And, "hmlsadvcte" on what premise do you establish that I, and or anyone else must walk in your shoes to understand you or your perils and plights? What actual concern is it of anyone whether or not you work hard or easy for your livelihood. You have to answer to your boss for your work ethic, not me, so it is none of my business. And, unlike you, I don't choose to make it my business.

Now about "hmlsadvcte's" dimwitted comments about me and my experience with GM...

It is true that new hires off the street are rare, but they do happen. My point was that I never passed over an opportunity to gain employment with GM.

I also never stated that I was middle aged without credentials or an education. I stated that I was 42 years old and did not possess "noteworthy maintenance credentials or college degrees." I didn't say I didn't have any credentials or education, just not something that would make GM bend over backwards to hire me as an apprentice maintenance worker.

As for my education credentials, I have no shame at the time it has taken me to achieve the education I have thus far gained. Like you, I too did it all on my own. As a matter of fact, by the time I was 21, I was an honor graduate from high school, a veteran sports writer for this periodical, a husband, a father, and an active member of the US Army defending your right to be arrogant and stupid!

I can only assume that you had some sort of financial assistance when you earned your education, either parental, governmental, loan oriented, or a combination there of. If you were ambitious enough to single handedly payroll your own college education then you must have had terrible advisors, because someone with a "4 year degree" and such a sound grasp of interpersonal relationships and communication skills would have surely hired into a position as lower management. By now, you should have achieved at least the level of upper management or lower executive level. After all, 10 years is 1/3 to 1/2 of an entire career! What are you waiting for bub?, free popcorn and a ride to the company picnic?

You also insinuated that I was let go by GM. Are you for real? Do you know what you are talking about? Right now, everyone who ever worked at GM is laughing hysterically at you "hmlsadvcte"! Shoot "hmlsadvcte" that evil UAW would even keep a pampas dolt like you from being easily terminated. But, if you feel you have pointers that would help me, I'll listen. Really! I could even meet your for a beer and we can discuss all of my shortcomings. If you're especially helpful, I'll show you how to open your own beverage and which end to pour from. Until then, I opted to exercise my options under a Special Attrition Program and selected a voluntary quit so I could use my credentials to seek more regular and consistent employment.

As for whining, yes, you are whining. I know the truth hurts, but, big boy, you cry like a sissy. We really don't care how good or bad you have it. How rough your job is or how sweaty you get performing it is also none of our damn business. If you have a rough row to hoe, then hoe it and shut up or quit farming! It seems to me and others here that you have wasted a lot of your time being concerned about GM and the autoworkers in general. Stop it! We don't need your gratuitous well wishing. Fortunate people don't always have monetary fortunes. In fact, most fortunate people have a serious relationship with GOD! I do! :)

Good luck "hmlsadvcte" making friends and influencing enemies. You will need it tenfold.

Sign me Randy V.

Jagger, read my post from May 12. I never stated that you or any other autoworker, didn't work hard. I simply pointed out that there are plenty of other back breaking jobs that don't pay nearly as well as GM. The point being that GM workers shouldn't think they deserve more than the next person, but should simply be thankful for the blessings they have received. Not everyone has been as fortunate even though they may have worked just as hard. I would ask that you step out side of your "sheltered life" and take a walk in another's steps as well.

I hope your lay off does not get extended and that while you do have this extra time that your back pain, etc... at least gets some relief.

Good luck.

first of all you do not know what goes on inside that foundry,secondly, i had to take an all day test just to get hired in,also i have a strained back and arthritis in my hands which, i will probably keep for the rest of my life. i seem to detect jealousy in your comment..finally,you must have some time on your hands to discuss this cause i am laid off right now and your paying for my unemployment...go ahead and keep living your sheltered life

Wow Randy. Sounds like you have some serious issues.

As for you being hired off the street, I still believe that is an out of the ordinary occurrence. This belief was backed up by Guardianboxer, a GM employee. However, I am glad that at least they were doing some outside hiring. (Even if it was for a middle aged someone without credentials and an education.)

You state that you have a Journeyman's Card & almost an associates degree because of GM. And you are in your 40's. Well I'm glad they were there to help you.

I earned a bachelor's degree by the time I was 21 and did so without the help of GM. I did it on my own.

You've been let go by GM. I on the other hand have been with the same company for over 10 years and hold a management position using the degree I earned through hard work and persistance.

All of this and yet you suggest I need to elevate myself??? Sounds like I'm already higher than you. Perhaps you should come to my office and I can give you some pointers.

As for whining, if you re-read my posts, I'm not whining. I'm simply suggesting that everyone be considered fairly and paid a just wage. And I simply do not believe anyone should waste their time be concerned for the autoworker's well-being. If they haven't saved and planned during the prosperous times, then that's their own fault. I will spend my time worrying about our community in general and will do what I can to help those around me. Especially those who are truly less fortunate. These posts are not just words. I am a person of action and will do my part to make my corner of the world a better place for everyone.

I hope that you will do the same. Good luck with your journey.