RE: http://www.unionrecorder.com/local/local_story_277212345.htm

Jobs are leaving Rheem Fort Smith as well. We both are losing jobs to Mexico. Not good at all. The rumer at Rheem Fort Smith is that Milledgeville Rheem will be shut down in 2009. Rheem Fort Smith is in the process of putting in new lines to make the unites that are now being made in Milledgeville. The company is also sending other lines from Rheem Fort Smith to Mexico, to make room for the new ones. Now we are only working 3 to 4 days a week. Layoffs are on the way. Just remember what happened to Rheem Greenville. It could happen to both Rheem Fort Smith and Milledgeville.

It is indeed unfortunate what has happened at Rheem as of late. I was one of two reporters that attempted to get to the bottom of what was happening. Rheem refused to speak with us or The Baldwin Bulletin. Finally after pestering from multiple media outlets, Macon included, Rheem released the statements that were published a week or so ago. To my knowledge, the company will not be making any more public statements on their plans. However it is a shame that a company with such a long-standing presence in this community and one of our larger employers is feeling the need to transfer resources to Mexico. I spoke with Angie Gheesling, executive director of the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Development Authority, who assured me that the MDA would continue to work with Rheem in whatever ways necessary to ensure that the workers and facilities that are left in Milledgeville stay in Milledgeville, however that could happen. Gheesling did admit Rheem is one of our largest employers. From all indications, it's an economic decision. But try telling that to a mother or father with a family that is looking at being unemployed two months before Christmas.

Think about their decision like this...
If on one side of Garrett Way was a gas station with gas for $5.00 a gallon and on the other, gas was $15.00 a gallon, what would YOU do to fill up your car? I always choose the less expensive and feel you would too.

I HATE that Rheem is leaving as I know people there, I know the financial impact that their payroll brings and I wish there were things we could do to get them to stay.

It doesn't matter how many tax breaks the middle class get when they have no job. Maybe giving businesses tax breaks actually has MORE benefits.

One last thought on raising taxes on businesses... who do you think PAYS those taxes? the end user (the CONSUMER)

So, bighead, in your gas station analogy you are questioning the hypocrisy of Americans who are critical of corporations that lay off the American worker in search of manufacturing their products in Mexico for 1/3 the cost, yet choose the "cheaper" themselves. Your example is simple enough, but I'm afraid it doesn't dig deep enough into the problem we all face, and I don't find solace in thinking that Rheem (and plenty other "American companies") justify their layoffs in order to profit 3 fold at the expense of American workers. Yes, I also choose the cheaper gas station to fill up my car. However, I'm not a millionaire corporate head that stands to profit more by capitalizing on cheaper labor so as to compete. You're surely not comparing the middle class worker/consumer with Rheem though...are you?

You're obviously secure in your job, because I assure you that if it was your job that was on the line you would be singing a different tune.

Where's the patriotism in outsourcing?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Humblehead,

when did making a profit quit being the goal of business?

It's all about profit. To heck with my neighbors. It's all about profit. To heck with my fellow christian brothers and sisters. It's all about profit. To heck with the American and it's worker. It's all about profit.

"when did making a profit quit being the goal of business?"

At what expense?

To heck with my neighbors. It's all about profit. To heck with my fellow christian brothers and sisters. It's all about profit. To heck with the American and it's worker. It's all about profit.

What do they care. They'll get it after Obama's redistribution of wealth takes effect.

This has nothing to do with what you perceive to be the President-Elect's plan for America, or Joe The Plumber, or whatever.

Frankly, bighead, my wife and I don't want any handout. We simply want (as anyone) the opportunity to maintain what we have and the opportunity to improve our lives and the life of our baby.

Is this a debate between Capitalism vs. Socialism? Is putting hard-working, decent people out of work a byproduct of Capitalism? Is Socialism a product of the lazy man? This is another debate for another time. This is more a time to debate what is fundamentally right for America.

Outsourcing does nothing but hurt America. Does it bring cheaper goods to the store counter? Sure. Does it help a handful of CEOs get filthy rich? Sure. Does it put a lot of HARD-WORKING, GOOD AMERICAN WORKERS out of work? "YOU BETCHA!"