By John Auchter
I wouldn’t say Michigan’s relationship with General Motors is dysfunctional. I think it’s more a case of unrealistic expectations. The auto industry is an integral part of our Michigan identity. So we, as people, tend to take it personally when GM does something that affects Michigan people negatively such as the plan announced this week to lay off workers and close plants in Hamtramck/Detroit and Warren.
It seems harsh, yes. Thankless. And one could even argue needlessly cold — why can’t they just say “we are closing the facility” instead of “we will no longer allocate product,” which it makes it sound like they’re putting the plant on a starvation diet? But in the end, GM is a corporation doing what corporations do, which is what is best for them. Always.
This again demonstrates the importance of electing legislators who actively prioritize people interests. In the meantime, I suggest we take advantage of the opportunities generated by a healthy GM but give up the idea that it will in any way be the “Generous Motors” of yore. Corporations are not people (no matter what the US Supreme Court says), so we shouldn’t expect them to act like people.
John Auchter draws cartoons. Lots and lots of them. You can find them at his incredibly popular website auchtoon.com. You can also find his stuff on Michigan Public Radio’s website under Opinion.
Generous Motors once was just that, mighty generous.
All that began to change around twenty years ago.
Global competition forced GM to change their operating method.
NAFTA was the death knell for generosity, it made GM change to lean and mean.
We all took GM for granted, that is no more.
GM has become all business and cares little for the employees and communities that made them what they are.
We were all spoiled rotten by GM, that is hard to wean away from, even after all these years.
20 years ago it took three times as many people to build a car. Technology and automation has taken many many jobs. Why the big surprise with GM doing what they always have? Trump was played for the fool that he is for thinking he was gonna change anything. Just another lie that he got people to believe to get him elected. I read I am gonna get a one dollar and seventy two cent credit on my Consumers bill!!!! WOW is it gonna be a good Christmas now!