Is it too late to buy American?

[G27]

Nah, but $75/hour including benefits isn't far off the mark...

According to the Indianapolis Star:

Base wages average about $28 an hour. GM officials say the average reaches $39.68 an hour, including base pay, cost-of-living adjustments, night-shift premiums, overtime, holiday and vacation pay. Health-care, pension and other benefits average another $33.58 an hour, GM says. - September 26, 2007 UNITED AUTO WORKERSOFF THE JOB, Striking back at globalization. By Ted Evanoff

So as of 2007, the average UAW GM worker was getting around $73.26/hour including benefits to build REALLY crappy cars.

[NRA]

Well, how much does a $30 an hour worker cost an employer? Maybe not $75/hour PLUS benefits, but I'll bet you by the time an employer pays $30 an hour, pays in on the employee workmans comp, umemployment and all the other BS, then pays for insurances for the worker and family, 401K and all the other nonsense I bet you that worker costs the employer every dime of $75 hour or more.

Why do we all bash laborers for having company provided health care? Many countries have a Health care system that takes care of everyone not just the "fat lazy American auto workers" as stated ealier the company does not pay unemployment.

[Oh Shoot]

... as stated ealier the company does not pay unemployment.

Well, yeah, it does.

The basic drill is that the company does pay all of the unemployment insurance, both state and federal. During average or better economic times in US, the payments pretty much balance out unemployment collections state/nationwide, so yes, employers DO pay the unemployment, as a group.

As long as the company stays solid, it will pay for insurance that is never collected by its employees, but other ailing companies' (ex) employees may receive benefits beyond what the company paid in.

During bad economic times as now, especially with federal extensions, the overall national pay-out is higher than the pay-in, so difference must be made up out of general fund (your money).

- OS

Edited July 25, 2011 by OhShoot

[mav]

Many countries have a Health care system that takes care of everyone ...

Unless I am really lucky and it gets repealed, we will have that here too in a few years.

As a side note to the discussion, this country is almost to the point where 50% of the people working do not pay any federal income tax. Universal healthcare, which is the ultimate goal of Obamacare, is going to be outrageously expensive. Since the government does not have any money, where is the money going to come from? That 50% that currently pays taxes is going to have to pay even more in taxes. I'm just curious as to what some think the appropriate level of taxation should be on those currently paying it in.

[Guest drv2fst]

Nothing comes out of your paycheck for TN unemployment insurance. SUTA and FUTA payments are from your employer.

- OS

who cares if they come from your paycheck directly or from the employer? It's still a cost of doing business that is reflected in the cost of the goods sold. The bottom line is that it's a tax that increases the price of everything made in the USA.

[Guest drv2fst]

I'm just curious as to what some think the appropriate level of taxation should be on those currently paying it in.

Me too. I have seen a couple of different reports that show even if you take 100% of all the wealth of everyone making over $250,000 / year, it still does not pay the Federal deficit for one year. There is NO WAY to tax ourselves out of this problem. We have to cut deeply and cut now. Everyone will hate the results of deep cuts but there is no longer any other option.

[Oh Shoot]

... The bottom line is that it's a tax that increases the price of everything made in the USA.

It's a tax if you don't need it, insurance if you do. Just like it's not a recession for you, until you don't have a job.

But yes, of course doing business in any of the "first world" countries has a higher overhead, not just the US. This used to also translate into a quality level of product that justified the price, due to craftsmanship and engineering expertise.

Worldwide access to affordable technology has changed that playing field. Essentially, the computer became the great equalizer.

- OS

[Guest nicemac]

Does anyone seriously believe that an auto worker makes 75.00 plus benefits? what color is the sky in your world?

Should have been $75 per hour WITH benefits. Sorry, my memory failed me.

UAW Employees Earn $130,000 a Year | RedState