This should show you all what kind of half witts they are.
Bosses go begging, but keep silver spoons
* Dana Milbank
* November 21, 2008
US car company chiefs went to Washington with their hands out. They got a frosty reception.
THERE are 24 daily non-stop flights from Detroit to the Washington area. Richard Wagoner, Alan Mulally and Robert Nardelli probably should have taken one of them.
Instead, the chief executives of America's Big Three car makers opted to fly their company jets to the US capital for their hearings this week before the Senate and House — an ill-timed display of corporate excess for a trio of executives begging for an additional $US25 billion ($A38.6 billion) from the public trough this week.
"There's a delicious irony in seeing private luxury jets flying into Washington, DC, and people coming off of them with tin cups in their hands," Democrat representative Gary Ackerman advised the pampered executives at a hearing yesterday. "It's almost like seeing a guy show up at the soup kitchen in high-hat and tuxedo … I mean, couldn't you all have downgraded to first class or jet-pooled or something to get here?"
The Big Three said nothing, prompting another Democrat, Brad Sherman, to rub it in.
"I'm going to ask the three executives here to raise their hand if they flew here commercial," he said. All still at the witness table.
"I'm going ask you to raise your hand if you're planning to sell your jet … and fly back commercial," Mr Sherman said. More stillness.
"Let the record show no hands went up," he said.
By now, the men were probably wishing they had driven — and other members of the House Financial Services Committee were not yet done ribbing the chief executives over their jets.
Republican Patrick McHenry, said: "I'm not an opponent of private flights by any means, but the fact that you flew in on your own private jet at tens of thousands of dollars in cost just for you to make your way to Washington is a bit arrogant before you ask the taxpayers for money."
It was a display of stone-cold tone-deafness by the car company chiefs. In their telling, they have no responsibility for the industry's mess.
Threatening the US with economic Armageddon if they are not given government aid, they spent much of the session declaring what a fine job they have been doing in Detroit.
"Chrysler really is the quintessential American car company," Chrysler's Mr Nardelli said.
"We have products that are winning car and truck of the year regularly," General Motors' Mr Wagoner said.
"We are equal to or better than Honda and Toyota," Ford's Mr Mulally said. "Every new vehicle that we make, whether it's small, medium or large, is best in fuel efficiency. The given is safety. And we have more, at Ford, more five-star quality and safety ratings than any other automobile."
Committee chairman Barney Frank, cut him off. "Thank you, Mr — "
"And the best value!" Mr Mulally said.
"Commercials can go later," Mr Frank said.
It was hard to feel sorry for the executives when Republican Peter Roskam, late in the hearing, reminded them again that "the symbolism of the private jet is difficult", and mischievously asked the witnesses whether, in another symbolic gesture, they would be willing to work for $1 a year. "I don't have a position on
that today," said Mr Wagoner (2007 total compensation: $US15.7 million).
"I understand the intent, but I think where we are is OK," said Mr Mulally ($US21.7 million).
"I'm asking about you," Mr Roskam said.
"I think I'm OK where I am," Mr Mulally said. Don't even think about asking him to fly commercial.
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This should show you all what kind of half witts they are.Bosses...
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