http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/12/14/2008-12-14_republicans_subsidize_foreign_auto_maker.htmlSunday, December 14th 2008, 4:00 AM
The group of Republican senators whose procedural votes doomed the auto industry bailout bill perfectly illustrates the narrow, "America Last" politics that is crippling efforts to revive the U.S. economy.
The proposed $14 billion in short-term loans for General Motors and Chrysler were supported by a truckload of industry leaders and economists, along with President Bush, President-elect Barack Obama and majorities in the House and Senate.
All agreed that a loan would be better than bankruptcy, which could put as many as 3 million people (and 40,000 of them in New York alone) out of work.
But a clique of Republican senators blocked the bailout, which required 60 votes rather than a simple majority. And they did it for the worst possible reasons.
Exhibit A is Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, an outspoken opponent of the bailout who told Detroit CEOs point-blank - before hearings even began - that he would vote no on a loan.
Shelby, it turns out, is a bought-and-paid-for advocate for non-American carmakers.
Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz all operate in Alabama, a so-called right-to-work state where unions are scarce - but taxpayer help for corporations is not. At a recent press conference, Ron Gettelfinger, president of the United Auto Workers union, ticked off the staggering sums of subsidy money Alabama has given to these foreign companies.