Obama: Caterpillar will rehire if stimulus passes

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I knew it was to good to be true. Now Owens is saying that there may be more lay-offs. Why can't we just get the truth from ANYONE????

And no, I didn't go to see Obama. The security around the plant was nuts. He was here while I have my sleep time anyway. This is going to get worse before it gets better. I may yet get laid off.

So sorry to hear that, Gary. We'll keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. This is going to be challenging year for many of us.

[William33 110]

Hoping that the stimulus package brings everyone back on board there and beyond.

Moreover, that you keep your job Gary!!

Good to see you here again. All the best to the family.

[yogib37 3]

Hi Gary

I am so sorry your job is on thin Ice. That really is stressful. I pray you will not lose your job. You will need your job.

just keep doing what you do and know. I know it is tough and I will keep your co workers that were laid off in my prayers so they will find a new job quickly and recover.

Take it easy and good luck.

Yogi

[GaryC 7]

Thanks for your support guys. I do appreciate it. I will take things one day at a time, do my best and try to make myself as "indispensable " as I can. However, there isn't much I can do when they cut as deep as they are. Right now we are down to the people they already consider "vital".

[NickD 202]

I don't get it, while engineering was intriguing to me, the math courses for an MBA were a hell of a lot easier, all linear when dealing with money, so have no idea why Wall Street went broke. They must have been paying damn good wages for people that were just standing around. And some that couldn't even balance a profit and loss statement. Gee, they don't even need a large expensive warehouse to store their product, money. And certainly don't need expensive machines to make something and sure in the hell were not pestered by the EPA and OSHA.

In manufacturing, you can't pay people to stand around and expect to stay in business, I hated those slow times and laying people off, my major problem was this fvcking country opened the doors to Japan, that was killing us as our government was paying them 10% for everything we imported from them while they were taxing the chit out of us. Especially on that inventory sitting on the shelves. And had to buy all new ####### that met EPA specifications using water based materials that weren't even perfected yet. It's the law.

What's really discouraging is to drive along the shore of Lake Michigan in WI to see all the broken down towns and deserted ship building sites. We spend billions defending the South Koreans, and still defending them against the north after over 50 years, that is where ship building is taking place today!

I really hate what our fvcking government has done to us over the years, bringing in the dictatorship China in for cheap labor was just too much. We frought them for 13 years, was no problem at first, they were supplying chit, but give even monkeys enough time, they will develop a super computer, we had to throw in the hat two years ago and shut down the doors, could no longer compete. Yep, over a 1,500 people were laid off, I was one of them. My job is in China now, but doing other things. Always had to do other things, getting very pissed off about that. But never to the point where I grabbed my gun to take care of the real problem.

Why in the ** is Caterpillar still in the USA? Son-in-law works there and is still working, but told my daughter, we have room for them here if it comes to that. Ha, was also told they have room for us if it comes to that.

Our government while feeding the super rich importers, oh yes, I met those egostistical b@stards are killing this country to make a few bucks, I really hate those SOB's and are a real threat to our families. Family values, what a load of chit.

[Carlawarla 1]

I rarely come to OT anymore Gary, but did see your posting and just wanted to say that I'm so sorry that times are so troubling for you right now, and for your friends and co-workers. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Ban Hammer 13,340]

hang in there gary.

and for the missus.

[Mrs.J06 4]

I really hate what our fvcking government has done to us over the years, bringing in the dictatorship China in for cheap labor was just too much. We frought them for 13 years, was no problem at first, they were supplying chit, but give even monkeys enough time, they will develop a super computer, we had to throw in the hat two years ago and shut down the doors, could no longer compete. Yep, over a 1,500 people were laid off, I was one of them. My job is in China now, but doing other things. Always had to do other things, getting very pissed off about that. But never to the point where I grabbed my gun to take care of the real problem.

You can hardly blame the government when all consumers care about is wanting everything cheap, cheap, cheap and don't care where it comes from.

Every time I find something NOT made in China I share my joy with my coworkers (all good, patriotic Americans) and all I get is the big-eyed-look that I was willing to pay that much for something made in the US.

Unless people stop buying a gazillion things they don't really need and switch to buying good quality stuff but less in quantity this will not change, not matter what the government does.

[NickD 202]

I really hate what our fvcking government has done to us over the years, bringing in the dictatorship China in for cheap labor was just too much. We frought them for 13 years, was no problem at first, they were supplying chit, but give even monkeys enough time, they will develop a super computer, we had to throw in the hat two years ago and shut down the doors, could no longer compete. Yep, over a 1,500 people were laid off, I was one of them. My job is in China now, but doing other things. Always had to do other things, getting very pissed off about that. But never to the point where I grabbed my gun to take care of the real problem.

You can hardly blame the government when all consumers care about is wanting everything cheap, cheap, cheap and don't care where it comes from.

Every time I find something NOT made in China I share my joy with my coworkers (all good, patriotic Americans) and all I get is the big-eyed-look that I was willing to pay that much for something made in the US.

Unless people stop buying a gazillion things they don't really need and switch to buying good quality stuff but less in quantity this will not change, not matter what the government does.

Ha, that translates into buying just about nothing, latest gimmick is assembled in the USA that translates into tightening that one loose screw. Wife and I became conscious of reading labels on produce, we good live on a constant diet of potatoes, just about the only thing left. Even replacement parts for my domestic vehicles are now made in China, and their ball bearings are piss poor. Sure can't buy a bicycle, toys, clothes, we hit just about every store in a 300 mile radius, all made in some foreign country for clothes, may carry USA namebrands, but made in China, Malaysia, Korea, even Viet Nam. Damn dog food has ingredients from China as do our drugs, the legal ones that is.

Consumers do not have any choice, it's the government that can make life miserable of USA manufacturing and determines which countries we deal with, wake up!

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Every time I find something NOT made in China I share my joy with my coworkers (all good, patriotic Americans) and all I get is the big-eyed-look that I was willing to pay that much for something made in the US.

People always give the excuse that 'There is no way to prove every single piece of material or component was mined, made, or assembled in the US/Germany/UK/etc, so wwwwhhhyyyy bother?!'.

[nowhereman 1]

Thanks for your support guys. I do appreciate it. I will take things one day at a time, do my best and try to make myself as "indispensable " as I can. However, there isn't much I can do when they cut as deep as they are. Right now we are down to the people they already consider "vital".

Gary you and I have disagreed on just about everything in the past, but I wish you & your co-workers well. This is the worst economic situation in decades & it will take a bipartisan effort to clean up this mess we are in.

[NickD 202]

Thanks for your support guys. I do appreciate it. I will take things one day at a time, do my best and try to make myself as "indispensable " as I can. However, there isn't much I can do when they cut as deep as they are. Right now we are down to the people they already consider "vital".

Gary you and I have disagreed on just about everything in the past, but I wish you & your co-workers well. This is the worst economic situation in decades & it will take a bipartisan effort to clean up this mess we are in.

Gee, every time I put on my headphones for my crystal radio receiver, (no batteries), I am hearing that "bipartisan" word and wonder why in the hell we have a two party system.

[Peikko 1,575]

Of course one needs more than one party or one ends up with dictatorships - however, I think it's probably about time the US recognized that the current system encourages imbalances of power and polarization that stifle progress. There is a need for reform in my opinion.

[nowhereman 1]

Of course one needs more than one party or one ends up with dictatorships - however, I think it's probably about time the US recognized that the current system encourages imbalances of power and polarization that stifle progress. There is a need for reform in my opinion.

I agree, but how? There is a genuine antipathy (hatred is a bit too strong) between many Republicans & Democrats these days. You have the far right & the far left engaged in a civil war, which severely hampers the moderates from getting things done. The problem is easy to identify but the solution is elusive.

[Peikko 1,575]

That is also true. It is not easy to see how the current system can be 'tweaked' to make it better. However, better minds than mine should be put to the task. As it stands we have a lot of rhetoric about 'change' in Washington, but nothing concrete and no one seems to be tasked to put forward 'solutions'. What seems to be happening is that piecemeal items are targeted and a 'good will' fix is implemented. That is not a solution, that's a feel good for the people. Not impressive.