Not a race to the bottom

Re “Knights in white SUVs,” Nov. 29

I can hardly believe these workers in West Point, Ga. Their local politicians sold them out and turned them into a cheap labor market for foreign countries, and they think it’s great.

Southern states subsidize foreign car companies by giving them tax breaks and other incentives. Their politicians see nothing wrong with that -- but heaven forbid the government should loan any money to GM.

Critics try to convince everyone the reason U.S. auto companies can’t compete is because our unions require wages of $70 an hour. That’s nonsense. I have known many people who worked for the automobile industry. Not one of them made $140,000 a year. It would be great if they did.

Our goal should be to raise the standard of living for all Americans, and for the workers of other countries as well. This should not be a race to the bottom.

Darryl Dickey

Porter Ranch

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It dismayed me to read that some people in economically hard-hit Southern towns blame Detroit for making large, fuel-guzzling vehicles, yet they chose to buy them. Why blame the companies for making the products they themselves wanted?

I was also upset by the resentment expressed toward union workers and labor contracts at the Big Three. The workers interviewed are angry that union members get higher pay than they do. Their reaction is not to look for ways to increase their own pay or benefits but rather to take glee in the economic plight of the unionized companies. This approach leads to lower pay and benefits for everyone. Shouldn’t we look for ways for people to get a better deal, not a worse one?

Randall Gellens

San Diego