GENERAL MOTORS

Here are some interesting notes on GM (obtained from lead story in today's LA TIMES)

In 1985 GM had 400,000 union workers
Today 61,000

From 1942 to 1945 All production was devoted to military vehicles

In 1962 GM had 51% of the American car market

In 1979 GM had 618,365 employees and the next year posted their first financial loss since 1920

Roger B. Smith was CEO from 1980 to 1990 and it appears that in that decade GM misfortunes were secured.

THAT WAS THE TIME TO COMMIT TO IMPROVED MPG AND BETTER GOODS BECAUSE THAT WAS THE TIME TOYOTA AND HONDA WERE BENDING OVER BACKWARDS TO MAKE GREAT CONSUMER PRODUCTS.

I assume one of the problems is when you have obtained a certain size within your corporation there comes a time when the size prevents actions based on correct priorities.

That same problem exist when your corporation is very very small and decisions can no longer be based on priorities because survival is the only goal.

I know how it feels to be involved in one of those two scenarios.

Too bad some small branch of the government wasn't interested in saving an upstart Art publishing company.

The moral of this story

OBTAIN AS MUCH DEBT AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE IF YOU WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO HELP YOU SURVIVE.

But remember the debt has to be in the billions in order to qualify....so you better get busy.

Michael Timothy McAlevey