So much for working people

Re “Senate GOP took a swipe at unions,” Dec. 13, and “Bush might divert funds to automakers,” Dec. 13

Early robber baron Jay Gould once famously said, “I can hire one half of the working class to kill the other half.” Although perhaps not literally true today, the basic sentiment is alive and well in the United States. Some non-union workers, rather than viewing lower wages as a problem to be remedied by demanding higher wages, attack the wages of union workers, asserting that they should make less.

When working people stop agreeing with attempts to lower their pay rate and their standard of living -- and stop buying into the belief that wages need to come down and be brought in line with reality -- maybe then Americans can retake their rightful place as the most prosperous people on Earth.

Thomas Schelly

Hermosa Beach

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Now that the election is over, the Republican Party has dropped the phony symbolism of “Joe the Plumber” like the sack of rancid potatoes it always was. Funny how the GOP is only the party of the working man around election day.

By making the auto bailout a fight about unions, Senate Republicans have once again shown their disdain for workers. They also have demonstrated their willingness to say just about anything if it advances their narrow, elitist interests.

This party belongs in the minority until it figures out how to put the country first.

Matt Talansky

Los Angeles

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Will the War Between the States ever end? The actions of anti-union GOP senators, mostly from the former Confederacy, indicate the answer may be no.

Considering the economic challenges for the United States in the coming years, how can we possibly prevail when we are weakened by this kind of adversarial relationship between states and regions?

Roderick Gates

El Cajon

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Everyone wants the domestic auto industry to survive, but we oppose subsidizing wages and benefits that are not competitive with those of other hardworking American employees at Toyota and Volkswagen plants in the United States. If President Bush sends money now, it will be the beginning of a long string of taxpayer contributions leading to the inevitable death of the industry at the hands of the United Auto Workers. Bankruptcy and new contracts are the only viable options.

Greg Chambers

Los Angeles

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The UAW continues to play Russian roulette with the future of its members. If the workers all lose their jobs, they can thank their unrealistic, arrogant union bosses.

Steve Milner

Los Angeles