I completely agree with your assessment of manufacturing in the economy, but I am concerned about the broader issue of national defense and its link to industry, the military-industrial complex. Don't we put ourselves at the mercy of our allies if we give up all of our manufacturing capabilities? And, yes, I know that I said allies. And what about the creation of wealth? Do service and IT industries create wealth? Don't they only exploit existing wealth? Are we to rely on agriculture and production of raw materials as the basis for the creation of wealth?

Garyprimer, If you are going to save manufacturing jobs here you will have to lower wages and/or increase import tarriffs and/or lower taxes. Since none of these solutions are politically feasible, its time to wake up and smell the coffee. The city needs to start planning now to replace whatever economic benefits we get from that GM plant, because it is not going to be here much longer.

GM may not be the glue, but it is a big chunk of what holds it together down here. Just ask the people that work at Lear and LSI how quick they'd all lose jobs, too, if not for GM.

The pendulum would swing far and wide, so be careful how many bad things you wish upon the plant.

Also, for the record, I also don't work there. Never have, never will.

If we eliminate manufacturing, what will we replace it with? What are the implications to national defense, if this country turns it's back on manufacturing?

In a way, GM has already began leaving Janesville and what remains will not resemble the GM plant of the past years. We will all be far the worse because of it. The union appears to be up against the wall and all too eager to give up hard won wages and benefits. All of the GM bashers in Janesville can revel in GM workers receiving what they consider to be their just deserts, but the dessert will not be as sweet as they anticipate.

If GM is the glue that holds this city together, then we better all be worried. That company couldn't build a high quality car if their livlihoods depended on it, and it does.

The sooner this town realizes that manufacturing jobs are dead-end, meaning they aren't making any more of em, the better off we will be. Lets try and get some businesses here whoose model isn't based on theories created in the 1920's.

There can be only one possible plus to GM's upcoming changes that will bring in new workers at $14/hour wages: That plus is that the GM bashing will lessen as will the GM backing by those who work there. And, very unfortunately, Janesville's economy will likely take a big hit and all of us will be affected.

I think somebody should call a WAAAAmbulance! I love how all of these people complain about GM workers and their so called "demands". The thing people often forget is that GM is such an important part of our community. In fact, I would go so far as to say that GM is the glue that holds Janesville's economy together. I would be curious to know the exact number of jobs that are here because of GM. And when I talk about jobs that are here, I don't just mean the jobs that are a direct result of GM. I am also talkiing about the indirect business that prosper from the community members who are here because of their jobs at GM (restaurants, stores, etc). Why can't people see the big picture and appreciate what GM (and its Employees) have meant to the community and its livelyhood??? If people are complaining about how much money they are making vs. a GM worker, may be they should find a different job. The fact is that you and only you can do somehing about your pesonal situation. Don't blame the GM workers because you can't find a job with the same pay and benefits. If you want a higher paying job with better benefits, go to college get an education and make a future for yourself. It will be a win-win situation because you will be making more money, have better benefits, and may be, just may be you will see the bigger picture. THANK YOU to all of the GM workers and their contribution to this community!!! And for the record, I do not work at GM, never have, and do not plan to.

To those who continually bash the GM workers:
Fact: The GM workers are not getting another week of paid vacation. They are collecting unemployment just like anyone else who is layed off.
Fact: Unemployment doesn't pay 90% of your weekly wages, and no where in the article above does it even mention what percentage of unemployment compensation they will receive.
Fact: The persons building the vehicles are not in a climate controlled area and routinly need medical attention during the summer for dehydration/heat exhaustion.
Fact: The malignment of a group of people with Misinformation and assumptions on the character of others proves a certain level of ignorance.

Gm workers are just like teachers. They don't live in reality land, expect more than what they are worth, and demand community pity when they don't get their way.

cardtrader says "no matter how hard you think you work your in a climate controled building"

These are obviously the words of someone who has never seen the inside of that building and doesn't know anyone who works there. You may hear stories about the bad apples, but for the most part, they probably work harder than you. I KNOW they work harder than I do.

But I'm sure NOBODY works harder than cardtrader. Just ask him.

Climate Controlled!?! Ok-another fantasy spinner showing how much he knows. Well, unless you call fans blowing on you "climate control"-or unless you're talking about those who work in an office. The ones who actually build the cars work in temperatures over 110 degrees in the summer. Don't believe it? Those tours will probably still be running in August.
And which is it, cardtrader, are they bragging or complaining? You accused them of doing both in one post. It wouldn't make much sense if they were bragging AND complaining about the same job, now would it? Who'd complain about a job they also bragged about?
And yet another week off with 90% pay? Did they ask for it? Is it in their control in any way? Then how in the blankety-blank can you berate them for it?
Not everyone can trade cards for a living, you know.

cardtrader-gm will soon be hiring !! if you think it's so easy to work there...GET YOURSELF A JOB WORKING 4 GENERAL MOTORS !!!!

Cardtrader- You have never steped foot in the GM plant and I know this because if you had you would know that in the summer it is hotter in the plant than it is outsie. This plant dates back to the early 1900's. Do you really think that every area has A/C?

This is not bashing G.M it is bashing all the people we know that complain about how tough it is to work at the plant, who in the public work place wouldn't want extra weeks off with 90% pay to spend with there family , we are just sick and tired of all the bragging about we get this we get that. Be grateful you had someone give you your job. We are all not so lucky. And any job at g.m making that kind of money is better than any job outside making $7.00 hr. no matter how hard you think you work your in a climate controled building. Just remember to live within your means and all will be well.

GM workers definitely earn every penny they make. You cannot assume that just because you hear stories about how one or two people have it easy that everyone does or it is even true. No one would want to do the hard work General Motors employees do every day they walk into that building, if they werent getting paid as much as they do. AND if you have never worked there , then i dont feel it is appropriate for you to say anything negative about GM at all.

you know my husband works at lsi they dont make any of the wages that gm does. nor the uaw do crap for them, but im thankful each day gm works, with out them our bills would not be paid,i believe this strike is american axle not gm.yes my husband gets only the unemployment, but if gm wasnt here we would get nothing. i think these people who continually bash gm are very bitter,and maybe even envious. gm im glad youre here and i dont care how many shut downs you get,and one more thing i have friends that work at gm and believe me they work hard for that money.

I was wondering how long it would take for the GM bashing to start. Not too long. There's always at least one.

Thats good give the G.M workers another week of paid vacation. And they still complain they are over worked and under paid what a joke