From the Office of UAW Local 659 President Walt Duvernois

On Thursday, June 4, 2009 issue of the Flint Journal featured a front-page article reporting on the comments of filmmaker Michael Moore concerning the bankruptcy of General Motors. Moore has suggested that GM "bury the brand name" and build more hybrid cars and fuel-efficient buses and commuter trains. Moore also favors an additional $2.00 tax on gasoline. He also said, "don't save GM…to build Chevys and Cadillacs." It is obvious that Moore has had an ax to grind with GM, as was openly displayed in his 1979 movie, "Roger and Me."

"Here we are at the deathbed of General Motors. The company's body not yet cold, and I find myself filled with---dare I say it---joy." Michael Moore. Moore feels "joy" over the loss of 21,000 good paying UAW jobs, 2,641 GM dealerships closed and 14 American factories shuttered? The GM dealerships being closed employ, on average, about 30 people each. That translates into an additional 79,230 people losing their jobs. In his mansion on the shores of Michigan's Torch Lake, Moore feels "joy" that over 90,000 folks will be unemployed in this first round of GM plant closings. He must be very proud!
In spite of his uncaring ignorance, Moore and millions of Americans should be concerned and alarmed at the loss of a large segment of our automobile manufacturing capacity. Moore made the comparison to America transitioning from the horse and buggy age to the era of motorized vehicles, and now, to a time of alternate means of transportation. That comparison is not true.

In 1900 America was taking the first steps toward moving away from a largely agrarian economy to an industrialized and manufacturing powerhouse. In contrast. America is rapidly losing its industrial base and foolishly accepting a second-rate status as a primarily service based economy.

The United States government has advocated industrialization as a means of lifting third-world nations out of poverty. How then can it be that de-industrialization will bring prosperity to Americans? China is the fastest growing industrial economy in the world, as a result of national
goals and policies specifically directed towards becoming the world's largest manufacturing economy. Sadly, America is purposely forfeiting its manufacturing base in favor of becoming clerks and servants to enemy nations. Is that really what we want for our future generations?
Michael Moore wants to bring managers from Toyota and Honda to run GM and Chrysler. If Moore had his brain in the real world, he would know that the American managers of foreign transplant companies are mere figureheads, nothing more. Toyota and Honda are run from Japan. Nothing is done in their American factories without the specific approval of the bosses in Japan. Would Moore feel joy knowing American industries were being run from Japan? Judging by his words, I would say the answer to that question is yes!

America's working class has been taking it on the chin at the hands of corrupt politicians, crooked financiers and greedy businessmen-it will only stop when we make them. Let's roll!
There is no peace on the battlefield. Our troops live that truth every day. God Bless them.

Until next time,

/s/ Walt Duvernois, President

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