Every taxpayer bail-out gives organized labor another excuse to meddle. Now the AFL-CIO is calling on the president to stop General Motors from shifting jobs overseas. The hook? Federal subsidies, naturally!
General Motors Corp.-which has received some $15.6 billion in federal bailout funds and is asking for another $11.6 billion-plans to use some of that taxpayer money to close 16 U.S. manufacturing plants and increase the number of vehicles made in Mexico, China, Korea and Japan for sale in the United States.
The UAW is asking its members and supporters to send a message to President Obama and to the auto task force that will have to approve GM’s restructuring plan, asking both to stand up for the interests of American workers and retirees.
It’s ridiculous to let politicians micromanage business decisions. But when those politicians are handing over boatloads of taxpayer funds, it’s hard to tell them no. Welcome to the new “mixed” economy–tilted far more in government’s direction.