<p>I consider myself a “serious person.” I am not sure that the UAW contracts damaged the auto companies. I would be more likely to cite the poor quality of the vehicles, at just the time when many baby boomers were buying their first cars, and failure to recognize shifts in the types of vehicles demanded by consumers. With the exception of some specific vehicles that were lemons (not by design), and could be blamed on the unions, most of the quality issues were connected to the design and materials of the vehicles, decisions made by management and not the unions. In my opinion, the American-made cars have improved very considerably since the 1980’s, but too late to attract back the customers that were lost.</p>
<p>With regard to health care costs: I think the health plans should be compared within an industry. Do the executives at the auto companies contribute to their health care costs? Maybe they do; I don’t know. </p>
<p>Can’t defend the union defense of employees convicted of crimes on the job (or off the job, for the most part).</p>