Not that this relevant to this discussion, but crude oil just continues on it's retreat. It's actually at about $33 a barrel as I write this. That is the lowest level it has been in over 4 years.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=2...
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More relavant to the discussion, I wish all the workers at GM all the best in whatever future endeavor they persue. It was quite a run in Janesville, and really was responsible for making this community build up to what it is today. I'll never forget the awe of seeing the plant operate when I took a tour way back when I was in cub scouts. It has been a pillar of our community for decades, and it will be very sad to see it now vacated, and so many people out of work. Merry Christmas to all the many workers, and best of luck from here on.

Gas should be $10 a gallon...we need to cure our additiction to oil. No one has the right to put the planet in peril just to drive a stupid SUV. Big Auto, Big Oil, Big Tobacco, Big Agriculture are ruining the world. We need to go back to a basics or Global Warming will kill us all (yes this is sarcasm folks) (Had you going for a while didn't I)

Im_azkid:
You can believe whatever wild conspiracy theory wish in how oil and gas prices are dictated. However; if you want to make your argument at least appear more intelligent you may want to at least run a spelling check before posting!
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The discussion is not dealing with OPEC and their relation to crude oil prices. If you really wish to know such information, shoot me an e-mail and I'd be happy to explain it in greater detail.

im_azkid- You spelled your name incorrectly. Moron...

as far as your personal shot about your kids getting a better education than me? simply shows me your intellectual level.

GM had no problem selling 45, 50 even $60,000 SUVs 3 years ago, it is solely high gas prices which made consumers take notice of things like gas mileage and fuel costs in their decision making process. If gas never fluctuated like it did, we would not be in a recession right now, SUVs would still sell like the hotcakes regardless of price like they did 3 years ago, everyone would be buying them so credit would be easier to obtain. Im not saying OPEC is a bad thing, nbut im saying oil prices have been the root of 75% of the economies fiscal problems, there is no disputing that, it all traces back to the source.

For all of you clueless people out there so anxious to retaliate, here's a little help in understanding the apparently hidden meaning of many of my posts. I know most of you get it, but frankly I am getting tired of explaining myself to a small group of non-mensa organization members...
sar⋅casm
[sahr-kaz-uhm] S
–noun
1. harsh or bitter derision or irony.
2. a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark: a review full of sarcasms.

and to whoever said opec is not the main supplier of oil to the US is dead wrong, True Canada is the #1 individual supplier but opec in general is by far and away #1, opec includes many countries that by far exceed canada and mexicos importations. thus they influence the market much more than canada and mexico, who are along for the ride.

the sole reason for this recession is bush and his oil prices, gas that capped at $4 a gallon all but stopped SUV production because everyone got scared and that was bushs goal, for him and his croanies to get rich, hes leaving office, prices are down but the damage is done, i can absolutely 100% gurantee you that if gas prices had stayed like they are now over the last 8 years that GM would not be in bankruptcy or shutting down the Janesville plant.

kiowamohican
if opec is not the cause of the price of gas or deisel then tell me why the prices at the pump went up 10 cents over night just on the word they were going to cut production by 2.2 million barrels. come on smarty pants explain that anyone who thinks differant is a true moran.

Regardless of who or what you think is responsible for the closing, it's extremely unfortunate that people are losing their jobs and it's the end of an era. I have had family working in that plant from the day it opened until the day it closes. Whether you support GM or point the finger of blame at someone for it's closing, just remember that GM is (or was) still made up of our friends and neighbors and this is going to be a tough thing for them to go through. Merry Christmas everyone.

"ringnut" and "red" THANK YOU for finally some common sense and compassion for those who are losing their jobs. I too, hope that someday soon, they will return. If the economy turns around and the $ is straightned out I believe it will . The proposal is still in Detroit and Trop Clark has been quoted as saying Janesville has much to offer, and the proposal proves that. The rest of you, like the story was about ..... the neighbors will truly miss the plant; too bad you can't see through your jealous, foul attitude and give some a break. It's not just adults involved, it's young kid's too. Here's hope for a brighter 2009 for JANESVILLLE and the plant.

As far as free trade goes, I think NAFATA was one of the few GOOD things that came out of the Clinton administration. And yes he was a very big promoter of NAFTA. He went on TV, and tours across the country, to promote it's passing. If you go the route of protectionism, all you are doing is capitulating that your products and services can not compete in a world economy, and your own economy will ultimately be worse off.

let the bashing start???? when the hell did it ever stop???? the anti-GM contingent never shut up with their hateful words while the plant was at its most prosperous, why would they stop when the plant closes?

As a kid growing up in janesville until the 2nd grade, I marvelled at the sight of the plant and the huge smokestack that stuck out like a giant cigarette out of the ground, i was always in awe of the place and when I got to tour the plant in 1986 when I was 7, i marvelled at how the lighting turned my denim blue pants into a garish purple. then getting that coin at the end of the tour was like winning the lottery! I lost count of how many relatives of mine that worked at the Janesville plant. So many great memories and all it took to smash them to bits was corporate greed and a crappy union.
I for one am going to be sad when reality hits on Tuesday, and I hope that this is only a temporary thing( as another person stated in an earlier post, GM did shut down in Janesville for 3 years in the mid 30's). I hope the plant can do some sort of re-structuring or re-tooling and bring a viable product back here and let those that bash the GM workers be the first ones in line for a job. then we will see them sing a different tune, because they will find out how tough it is to work there. and probably over half of the haters wouldnt make it past the first week! So long old friend, hope you wont stay gone forever!

OPEC is NOT our main supplier of foreign oil. Canada and Mexico are, both NON OPEC nations. OPEC announced cuts because the recession is world wide, and demand is dropping everywhere, and they have excess inventories. Despite announcing the cut backs oil FELL in price by over $5 yesterday to under $40 a barrel, on the NYME! That is the lowest price crude oil futures have traded in years. The price of oil has largely been dictated by reckless FED policy, which has made the dollar more unstable then it has been in decades. Crude oil is, of course, denominated in US dollars, so dollar policy plays huge into the equation of what it trades at.

OPEC and The greed of the oil companys is the ones to blame. they are cutting production of 2.2 million barrels a day because the price has droped and they want to get it back up so they can keep us in a recession. so dont blame the manufactures or employes they were just trying to make a liveing.

Unindentified that is the best logic I've heard here so far. Balance is the key and people should remain to have free choice in what they buy. People don't like to be pushed into buying anything especially when the pusher has a personal agenda.

Zoom: I didn't mention buying American made products in my previous post, but I'm assuming you are referring to past post. There is no right or wrong answer to buying American made. The key is balance. We gave away too much of our manufacturing of toys to China and we ended up with lead problems. In our efforts to cut cost, we nearly completely gave up on toy manufacturing domestically and risked our safety. When someone can buy a decent American made product at reasonable price, then people should. For example, Buick has ranked high on quality surveys. In addition, they are price relatively well against higher end Toyota's and Honda's. As a result, I would suggest people take a look at Buick's. Cooper tires are American made, have a good reputation, and are competitively priced. America also does well with computer hardware manufacturing. However, there are obvious situations when buying American would leave someone at a disadvantage. For example, with buying textiles. There is definitely a trade gap. However, prior to this global economic downturn American exports were rising steadily. What I fear is an overbearing anti-American sediment. Not everything we make is junk and that includes some of our automobiles. Because I suggest buying American made, doesn't mean I believe people shouldn't buy imported products. However, I don't believe people should abandon American products altogether. Balance....

"Zoom: Free trade is the corner stone of our national security."

I agree. But then you also complain that people don't buy American products. Which do you want, free trade or protectionism?

Wait till next week the paper will be full of the GM closing and then let the bashing start.

I have fond memories of sun tanning on my 2 breaks and lunch hour on top of that big freight elevator in the picture. Where else could a young guy marvel at the engineering complexities involved in making cars and trucks. The patterns of thousands of workers coming together for 2 production shifts, every day plus a maintenance shift, all engaged in the manufacture of the cars and trucks that kept our country moving. I walked all over that plant fascinated by the constantly changing technology, and the thousands of men and woman daily doing their individual part in producing thousands and thousands of cars and trucks that kept our nation on the move. I don't want to believe that the plant will really close for good. This is more than just a plant, it is an American Icon. And that Icon is in great peril. This is a sad time for us as individuals and as a community. I hate to see the plant go.

The times they are a changin'. GM left Janesville in 1932 and returned again in 1935. Janesville has a solid base of good, hard working people. Somewhere out there is an industry in need of good, hard working people. And Janesville has a prime industrial site, served by the railroads and special access ramps 3 minutes from interstate 90. Somebody is gonna figure out how to market Janesville's positives with the needs of an industry needing exactly what Janesville has to offer. Don't give up hope. Sometimes you gotta sell yourself. Sometimes ya gotta hustle. There is an answer. Don't give up!

cjjs35. You need to open your mind and look at the world as a whole. I never stated that one single trigger is to blame for the situation we are in. I am only trying to state that allot of bad choices and polices are to blame for the situation we as a city and a country are in. I believe in the free market. I am one of those who's belief is the market will correct it's self. So in those terms yeah I think GM and the other two should fall flat on their faces. I shouldn't have to pay for their bad choices, but on the other hand if they do fail it will only make matters worse. Plus the people who put in a lifetime at these companies shouldn’t feel the effects bad management and poor planning etc.

Zoom: Free trade is the corner stone of our national security. Every country we trade with is one less country we'll go to war with. Granted, there are flaws that need to be addressed. Nonetheless, unless war with China sounds like a fun time, people need to get used to a global economy. We tried the isolationist tact at the beginning of World War ll, until we realized once Hitler got control over Britain's navy he'd find his way to our doorstep. The issues GM, Ford, and Chrysler face are aside from NAFTA. I don't blame democrats or republicans for NAFTA. However, they do need to ensure the trade policies are fair.

Goodbye General Motors. We'll miss you. Thanks for the memories.

Sorry to spoil your bich-fest but,
What will happen to everything inside the plant?
Such as tools, furniture...etc

Most of the comments here have nothing to do with the article discussing the neighborhood changing due to GM leaving.

Has anybody driven by some of those houses by the plant? And those neighbors are concerned that GM won't take care of the place after they are gone? Neighbors of GM - it doesn't take a lot of money to be clean, just energy to pick up after yourself.

Actually, unlimited free trade is a tradition Republican cause, and it was George H.W. Bush that initiated NAFTA in 1992. It was ratified by Congress and Clinton in 1993. More Republicans than Democrats voted for the bill.

Opinionsforfree- when your trying to make a point I would never suggest using Wikipedia for a source...shows how aware you are to reality! But it does give all the answers to where you get your bogus information from. Just stop denying the changes Janesville is going to face...and in the long run your going to have to face personal changes because of it also!

Opinions-So NAFTA is to blame for GM, Ford and Chrysler's bad decission making

This has nothing to do with NAFTA. GM also shut down SUV production in Canada and Mexico. So who should Canadian and Mexican workers blame?
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Let me use small words so you can understand. NOBODY IS BUYING THE PRODUCT.

The effects of NAFTA, both positive and negative, have been quantified by several economists, whose findings have been reported in publications such as the World Bank's Lessons from NAFTA for Latin America and the Caribbean,[15] NAFTA's Impact on North America,[16] and NAFTA Revisited by the Institute for International Economics.[17] Some argue that NAFTA has been positive for Mexico, which has seen its poverty rates fall and real income rise (in the form of lower prices, especially food), even after accounting for the 1994–1995 economic crisis.[18] Others argue that NAFTA has been beneficial to business owners and elites in all three countries, but has had negative impacts on farmers in Mexico who saw food prices fall based on cheap imports from U.S. agribusiness, and negative impacts on U.S. workers in manufacturing and assembly industries who lost jobs. Critics also argue that NAFTA has contributed to the rising levels of inequality in both the U.S. and Mexico. Some economists believe that NAFTA has not been enough (or worked fast enough) to produce an economic convergence,[19] nor to substantially reduce poverty rates. Some have suggested that in order to fully benefit from the agreement, Mexico must invest more in education and promote innovation in infrastructure and agriculture.

This one too http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Ameri...

Here ya go folks. Start reading

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macroeconom...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microeconom...

No... thank the guy I believe (Clinton) approved NAFTA

I tried to make this point the other day but people don't seem to understand how economies work

"beeferer
Dec 18, 2008 at 9:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
Too bad people buy foreign cars and send American dollars to other countries. If they would only see the light and keep American money in America, none of this would have happened. LET THE BASHING BEGIN!"

Most clothing isn't made in this country anymore. The costs to make it here is too high. That industry moved out a while ago. Any one who says buy only American isn't being realistic.

Cardtrader, how is it all Bush's fault? If it only his fault due to him being President when this all happened, I hope you will then blame Obama in 2009 when these same problems continue.

You are so narrow minded.

Let's all Thank Mr. Bush

I happen to love GM (and Chrysler) but drive a foreign car (I did not purchase it new, however). If GM actually BUILT a car that the majority of people wanted to buy, we would not be in this situation. And for the record, I even get GMS (employee discount price) and have purchased new GM cars on an average of every other year.

I mean, it's great that we've got the all new Malibu and the CTS, but those two cars can't bear the weight of all of GM's problems. All of their vehicles need to be at that level or higher!

it has nothing to do with buying foreign cars; it has to do with no one is buying any cars and GM needs to save every dollar it can right now. Desperate times call for...desperate measures, and that is what this is a desperate measure to try and save a sinking ship (GM). Everyone should be hoping instead that this closing will stabilize the entire GM landscape and help it to ride out these tough times otherwise there will be more cuts such as pensions, insurance, etc. This is only the a band-aid to a larger problem.

beeferer- Thats the dumbest post I have read in a while. Honda and Toyota are laying off peolpe here and oversaeas too. What about the shirt you are wearing think that was made here....

Too bad people buy foreign cars and send American dollars to other countries. If they would only see the light and keep American money in America, none of this would have happened. LET THE BASHING BEGIN!

Tuesday will be a very sad day in our house! Merry Christmas everyone!