Workers too

Re “Retooling Detroit,” Opinion, Feb. 18

It’s fine to demand that U.S. automakers seeking federal money meet higher mileage requirements. But what about the workers who would pay for this increase in efficiency with their jobs? It’s obscene that these corporate incompetents are begging for more of our tax dollars while at the same time contemplating more layoffs.

It is even more obscene that our tough-talking lawmakers in Washington have said nothing about insisting that taxpayer money be used first to preserve these jobs. To give these automakers untold numbers of dollars while allowing them to then place thousands of skilled people on the public dole is just plain sinful.

Ken Johnson

Newbury Park