Jun. 01, 2006 - 21:20 MDT

TO THIS ?

Wonder if this the new way of life for old folks. Hid in mid paper this morning is the following item, quoted here in full:

NATIONAL

Ford wants retirees to pay more for health care

"Ford Motor Co. on Wednesday asked a federal judge to approve a health care agreement with the United Auto Workers that would save the company $200 million annually by making retired autoworkers pay more for their health care."

"An attorney who represents retirees opposed to the deal said the UAW lacks the legal authority to change retiree's health care."

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"One week after General Motors Corp. introduced a plan to cap gas prices for buyers in california and Florida, Ford is jumping into the rebate game with an offer of free gas for the rest of the year."

"Ford said nearly all of its 2006 behicles -- ilncluding the popular Ford Fusion sedan, F-150 pickup and Mustang V-6 coupe -- will be eligible for zero-percent financing and a prepaid debitr card that can be used to purchase up to $1,000 worth of gas, or $1,100 for some trucks and sport utility vehicles. The vehicles must be purchased between June 1 and July 31."

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I guess that my oldfashioned way of thinking leads me to believe that although a pensioner doesn't get raises when the shop floor does, at least the pension and its perks including health care are sacred. Apparently big business is planning on changing all that.

And another Denver company is going out of town, and mostly out of the country. Samsonite which was born and raised in Denver is going out of town soon and will apparently be out of country completely also, much of its work being done in Mexico and India and they plan on sending their Execs to the United Kingdom. Sad isn't it, our companies sending work to foreign countries, foreign companies buying businesses and building their factories here in our country, owning various bits and pieces of American infrastructure as well.

Makes me wonder about those at our helm. All the work and sacrifice by the working man in our country -- has it finally come TO THIS ?