What is Digg?138 Comments
- CloakandSwagger, on 10/12/2007, -22/+72Anybody who's influenced to purchase a GM product by this marketing campaign deserves the piece of ***** car they get.
- dshPls, on 10/12/2007, -19/+48Buy GM, or you support terrorism!
- insomniac8400, on 10/12/2007, -10/+23Sean Hannity aside, it's a GM. People are not stupid. No one buys GM if they know what is good for them.
- dclowd9901, on 10/12/2007, -10/+20Maybe GM should be more focused on making cars worth purchasing than trying to influence their audience via celebrity me-too campaigns. I, for one, know better than to buy American.
- SpudgeBoy, on 10/12/2007, -26/+33Sean Hannity is a scumbag. I will never buy another GM product if they go through with using politics to try and sell cars.
Is it that they still don't have any ideas beyond the damn SUV and they know that only right wing sheep will buy those cars? - everknown, on 10/12/2007, -12/+19First Ford caves into threats by America's Taliban and now this.
- chocobomog, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8"Sales aren't new, but GM is going overboard in trying to tie patriotism to purchasing its cars. Based on what he's said in the past, Hannity is the worst face to put on that patriotism."
First of all, patriotic sales are everywhere. Every 4th of July, car dealers have "patriotic" sales. In reality, they are as much about patriotism as Christmas sales are about Christmas. It is a marketing gimmick to convince people to buy their product. This is no different.
Second of all, what is the problem with calling someone a "Great American"? If I don't buy GM can I still be a Great American? It is a marketing slogan! If you don't buy a product it doesn't mean the marketing slogan doesn't apply to you. No one is going to question your nationalism based on this ad. Do you get offended every time you go to the grocery store and don't buy the "#1 brand"? Does that make you less of a person? It is a way to sell more cars. Every company does it. And the term "Great American" gets thrown around everywhere. Great American adventure, great American ride, great American bar, etc. This is a non-event.
Basically, a company paid a person to help them sell their product to a target audience using a promotional offer. Whoopty-do.
The only reason this is getting any attention is because the guy in question has views that are different than the website's (ThinkProgress) readers have. - harumph, on 10/12/2007, -5/+9as if the substandard workmanship, ugly styling, terrible mileage and quick depreciation weren't enough reasons to stay away.
- LittleJohnny, on 10/12/2007, -5/+9Breaking News: GM has hired respected journalist and author Ann Coulter as the new spokeperson for their struggling Hummer division.
"I am pleased to represent a vehicle that is the explicit abnegation of man's dominion over Earth. God said so: Go forth, be fruitful, multiply and rape the planet -- it's yours."
When asked if she'd ever driven a hybrid she replied, "No. Hybrids are gay." - darkstarsc, on 10/12/2007, -19/+23I would suggest writting Mr. Wagoner... Here is a letter I just wrote and would ask you all to also write to him and urge all that you know to do the same.
Mr. Wagoner,
I think it is unfortunate that such a great car company, in which you are the chairman of, would choose a partisan talking head to be the spokesperson for one of your advertisement campaigns. The hiring of Sean Hanity to promote GM cars in a patriotic themed commercial, rubber
stamps Mr. Hannity's comments, many of which question the patriotism of individuals and political groups who do not agree with his political views. While it is Mr. Hannity's Constitutional right as an American citizen to question his ideological foes, it should be unacceptable for a American car company (whose prime goal should be selling cars and not political views) to stand by, while it's representatives do just that.
I, along with many of my fellow citizens, sincerely plead to you that Mr. Hannity is replaced with a spokesperson who more closely represents the strong ideals that GM has held for the past 100 years. We hope that you will see that Mr. Hannity, while being successful as conservative talking head, surely does not serve as the best representative to your company.
Sincerely, - lamestory, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7Aren't they in Chapter 7 yet? This should get them there more quickly.
- badwolf1980, on 10/12/2007, -16/+20Sean Hannity is a moron
- flernk, on 10/12/2007, -10/+14@natey1
"Diggerals"? That's a new one.
You're blocked. - amoirae, on 10/12/2007, -8/+12Nah... it'll be the new SUV: the Chevy Bandwagon.
- killinger777, on 10/12/2007, -5/+9Wow, writing letters to congressmen doesn't get anything done, so write to your favorite CEO. Who knows, you might just change the world!
- omaryak, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7Susan Sarandon doesn't go around telling people who is and isn't American.
- PYREX, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4because they put all their money into golden parachutes instead of R&D.
because they keep focusing on SUVs instead of making better cars that people would actually want to buy. they're too afraid of even trying to compete w/ japanese & german brands.
they're going bankrupt for a reason. some people blame the unions. but the fact of the matter is it boils down to auto sales. they dont sell enough. solution is simple enough, make better cars. they're just too afraid to try.
by better i mean, ones that last more than 5 years/100,000mi w/o a major problem.
resale value sucks on them for a reason. - PYREX, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6susan surrandon, george cloony, etc... are actresses/actors, they're recognized as such. only hardcore partisans even know their political views.
hannity is a talking-head professional propaganda machine, thats his job; every day. he broadcasts extremely biased & condescending propaganda on a regular basis.
nowhere near the same thing - omaryak, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4On the whole, GM cars are too heavy and get poor mileage. Even their Korean-made Aveo subcompact doesn't get better mileage than their Colbat compact model. Even when I liked American cars, I liked Chrysler better than GM. GM cars tend to have cheaper-feeling interiors; quality control is also a problem. But I have to say these days that visiting http://www.fueleconomy.gov is the best argument for not buying a GM. I'm also annoyed by GM's flashy marketing campaigns to supplant for any progress in design or engineering. Adding this "You're a Great American" faux patriotism, especially with the face of Sean Hannity, just sickens me. At first I thought it was a joke.
- Aaryn015, on 10/12/2007, -5/+7Which can be found at the bottom of the article
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4You're right. Sex crimes are a problem with both parties. However, why are such a massive majority of political sex crimes commited by Republicans? The problem is so widespread that the Republican Party might as well be the new Sodom and Gomorrah.
Why do Republicans hate sexual purity, morality, and decency? - deathtopenguins, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6There sure is a lot of hate for American cars here. I'm somewhat indifferent about the nationality of the car or brand. Some models end up being good and some are lemons, but I want to hear some reasons for the hate. GM cars are crap is not a very informative reason as to why you don't buy them. Let's hear some more technical opinions.
- tjcrabtree, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I didnt see this sentiment from libs when Colbert was a spokesman for GM Goodwrench. It is ok to disagree with Hannity, but that doesnt make him un american or not worthy of being a pitchman for GM becuase he is a conservative
- HappyScrappy, on 10/12/2007, -6/+8I'm actually a GM fan, but this is a joke. *****.
- flernk, on 10/12/2007, -17/+19@chocobomog
Would you have the same opinion if they had hired, say, Keith Olberman or Al Franken?
In the end, it just doesn't matter. It's just marketing. GM is after a specific demographic and Sean Hannity is a perfect choice to attract them. - Mudanie, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I don't see what the big deal is. This deal is not promoting Sean Hannity, it's promoting GM and giving listeners an opportunity to win a car.
I know lots of people hate Hannity, but he's not an evil person...just has strong opposing viewpoints to yours. - omaryak, on 10/12/2007, -6/+8"Having a 'Great American' sale is a practice that has gone on for years, and this is nothing different."
Sales aren't new, but GM is going overboard in trying to tie patriotism to purchasing its cars. Based on what he's said in the past, Hannity is the worst face to put on that patriotism. - MyNameIsSIMPSON, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@truck87bp
Your understanding of economics is somewhat flawed as you are only looking at part of the equation. Bridgetown buys Japanese cars because he feels he gets better bang for his buck by doing so. We can argue whether GM's product is better or worse than Toyota but it would be pointless. Bridgeport and others like him believe it is not as good so in their eyes they are better off by buying Japanese.Lets give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that by buying Japanese he is indeed saving money on the cost of a new vehicle and its upkeep.
What happens to this money that he saves and how does it help the economy?
Rather than making GM and the local repair garages richer he makes himself better off. Now he has more money in his pocket at the end of the day which he can either add to his savings or he can spend it buying more things he prefers. If he invests it that money gets lent out to others who use the funds to build houses start businesses etc. If he spends the money then other sectors of the economy benefit from the increased business he gives them. Jobs shift into these businesses away from GM and the repair shops.
Buying inferior products just because they are made in your own country is merely pissing money away. Its to the benefit of the company that makes the inferior product but to your own detriment and other sectors of the economy. When people favour Japanese made vehicles over American made it sends a signal to them to pull up there socks and make a better product or face going out of business.
.
If you feel you get a good deal by buying GM then you should continue but not eveyone feels the same. It is wrong to attack their patriotism for doing so and it is false to suggest they are somehow hurting the economy.
Also, remember that American companies are spread all throughout the world including Japan and undoubtedly the Japanese are making the exact same arguments as you are.
If you are interested check out this link for a better discription of what I'm trying to say
That Which Is Seen, and That Which Is Not Seen
by Frederic Bastiat, http://www.mises.org/web/2735
It was written in the 19th century but it is just as relevant today. - steinbeckgirl, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3 I work at Daimler-Chrysler...at least we use Snoop!!
- MyNameIsSIMPSON, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I'll start by responding to this statement at the end of your post.
"GM pulled their socks years ago, you just were caught looking the other way as with many other Americans."
For the record I have owned 2 GM's, a Chrysler, a Honda, and am currently driving a Ford Ranger. The GM's gave me the most problems by far, the K car was already pretty old when I bought it so I can't comment on the quality. The Honda Civic I bought was brand new and I had it for 11 years. It was still running when I sold it and the only maintance I did on it was normal wear and tear, brakes, exhaust, tires, etc. The Ranger has been pretty good so far although it did blow a head gasket a couple of years ago.
I'm not going your dispute your point as its been sometime since I've owned a GM so I will give you the benefit of the doubt that GM has improved their product. Nevertheless, it adds weight to what I have been trying to say, If Americans had not started buying Japanese, GM never would have had the motivation to improve their product and you would in all probability be paying more than you are presently paying for a GM while the quality would be worse. While that may be beneficial to GM it would not be good for the general public as a whole. Not only would everyone who bought a car be poorer the money people would have saved by buying a foreign car would not have been spent elsewhere in the economy and those businesses never would have benefited from the increase in sales. Its simple, if I have to spend $5000 dollars more on a new vehicle thats $5000 less I have to furnish or renovate my house. GM's losses were the consumers gains which in turn allowed other business to flourish. These are the facts that most people ignore because they only focus on the negative.
The point of my post was not to trash American made products but rather to point to the fact that simply buying American no matter what the quality and price is doesn't, despite what you have been saying, have negative repercussions on the economy. On the contrary it makes us worse off as do government protectionist policies.
As to all the stats you certainly make it look catastrophic yet unemployment does'nt seem to be running out of control. The fact is jobs are always disappearing while new jobs are being created in other areas, its called progress.
In regards to outsourcing this is not a bad thing. If products can be made cheaper offshore they can be sold cheaper onshore. This puts more money in your pocket which benefits the economy (see above). Don't forget that while some jobs are lost because companies go outside the country other countries are investing in the U.S creating jobs. America is not the only country to outsource. A country does not have to produce all the things it needs anymore than a town has to. We benefit by trading with countries that make products more efficiently than us and they benefit by buying products we sell that are superior to theirs. - MyNameIsSIMPSON, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3And in related news, Bob Dole is renewing his contract with Pfizer. Starting July 1st commercials will air with the slogan
"Stand Up" for America use Viagra. - PYREX, on 10/12/2007, -4/+6George Washington was a great american
Ben Franklin was a great american
JFK was a great american
Hannity is a f*cking joke. He wraps himself in the flag and esposes to edward bernays philosophy that the american public are all stupid and as such have to be manipulated to achieve the goals & power of the few. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4I wonder if Hannity is a pedophile like Foley and Limbaugh. Can't help but wonder in light of today's news.
Why do Republicans want to molest America's children? - standalonematt, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Being a success doesn't prove your smart. In fact many brilliant people are not successful - it takes luck and timing (and having a big corporation with an image to project willing to push your image with it doesn't hurt)
Many stupid people do become rich and successful too. - TJeske, on 05/20/2009, -0/+1Hannity gives no respect to anyone who disagrees with him. I dislike him for the exact same reason why you dislike "little lefties".
- truck87bp, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2
This is about our ECONOMY. Not Hannity, republican Rick Wagoner or your lack of knowledge about the Quality of NEW American cars.
The U.S. economy in in deep $hit. Bush may be an ass and maybe not, God will decide, but he is at the Helm and being told by the smartest people from our Universities that we need to support any Industry within the U.S. to get our Economy back on track. Guns, tanks, and planes, ain't gonna do it!
I am a retired American. Some of your Diggs indicate I need to buy a import so more people will be out of work....have you seen the current U.S. crime rates recently...are you watching the Voodoo Housing Markets...another recession is near....no thanx....wisdom comes with a price...age, getting older sucks (LOL).
Being a Republican, Democrat or Independent doesn't make you American, actions speak louder than tearing down America with senseless Fox Crap political opinions. Fox News sucks, it is not current news, it's been old for many years, grow up it's a Republican TV station.
The facts state that you as import car buyers know nothing about Economics and DO NOT CARE ABOUT America. OK, I heard what you're thinking and that's BS, you don't care.
You say our economy is great, Dow at near record, your full of crap..or, your dumb enough to think our National Dept is just going to disappear. If we were not at war, and not pumping billion$ into the U.S. war machine companies, the U.S. would be in the crapper and plunge the entire world into the crapper with us.
I hate war, politicians, lobbying and now I hate people who drive imports. I Love America, common sense, my family and friends, and Freedom to tell you to blow it out your ignorant A$$e$. If you lost your job recently and drive and import, I pity you not.
I drive GM cars and trade them in after they pass 150,000 miles on the odometer, mainly cause I want something new after 10 or 12 years. Never needed 100,000 mile warranty like some imports. My nephew's S10 truck didn't need new brakes for 124,000 miles and mine has 80,000 on the brakes so far. My Cutlass never had the exhaust replaced after after driving it for 13 years. This is bad quality?
At least I can say I tried, by buying American cars. What are you doing for your country besides giving useless lip service?
Did you know that the American, Car & Driver magazine is really owned by the Asians and they make you think that their products are just a little better than ours.....Boy, they Fooled you!
Sorry about the Ignorant A$$ comment unless it fits. Us older people can get rattled too.
P.S. I love Digg.com too. - steinbeckgirl, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3right75- Prozac
You have just convinced me that conservatives are idiots. - steinbeckgirl, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1velox- GM outsource your labor? Why, who the hell would buy them then?. Don't help eliminate the middle class. Outsourcing is why America and GM are going through the ***** they are now.
- zonk3r, on 10/12/2007, -8/+9jeeze, another reason why i don't buy american cars. i'm not saying that like i'm proud of it either. i'd love to buy american but there are few reason to do so anymore...
- evanoff, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Smart Move
- Phantamage, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2They have every right to hire any spokesperson they want, but it is sad to see an uncontroversial symbol in our culture being turned into a logo for partisanship.
It's the simultaneous killing of a brand and the creation of a new one. - Time will tell if GM made a good move but make no doubt about it. - This move is a brand killer. - Bridgetown, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I don't have a camry. You have no idea when I owned my last American made car. I won't buy another one because they don't make them very well, and I end up spending more and more money to keep them going. I'm not a kid. I care about the economy, but if Americans cannot make me a good car, I'll stay with my Jap. model. That's called supply and demand. Sorry your life sucks. I'm happy and I'm stayin' this way, no matter how you scold me.
- kindaslow, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@truck87bp
I agree with your sentiment to buy American, unfortunately sentiment is what it amounts to.American corporations are not about doing what is good for the USA, and it shows. Many American cars and trucks are manufactured outside of the USA, and even though an American owned company brings the profit back to the USA that doesn't mean it is a benefit to the country. Large corporations avoid paying taxes on profit anyway they can, so it doesn't put funds into infrastructure or any other useful government expenditure. That leaves the distribution or dealership network in America and the jobs that it creates, from that angle GM is no more a benefit to this country than Honda.Those same American companies that I should buy from then take their profit and outsource as many jobs as they can, up to and including manufacturing, so I am having a hard time understanding how buying an "American" car or truck benefits America anymore.
- Bridgetown, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Actually, Asian cars ARE better than American. (I base this on owning american for so many years and then switching over) I have a japanese car, but guess what? It was made right here in America. Feeding our economy every step of its way..and it's still doing so with me behind the wheel. :)
Things aren't so bad. Lighten up. - modiggs1976, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5For the first time in my life I'm proud of owning a Hyundai
- PYREX, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3ditto. i was hoping they'd get out of bankrupcy. but the damn execs keep giving themselves raises while they lay off production workers.
GM isnt an american brand any more than Honda or Toyota now. Honda and Toyota actually employ more U.S. workers than GM or Ford. all they have going for them is their history.
that's why their desperately trying to brainwash people that "it's an american brand" and that if you have an emotional attachment to the U.S. you should have an emotiona attachment to their cars, no matter how crappy they are. (no matter how untrue that is). but then again, they dont call it brainwashing for nothing. - Dgen_X, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2well since it took effect four days ago and it hasn't been much of anywhere since...mainly only on hannity's webpage and radio show....I don't see much publicity for GM
other than with H's fans.... - TJeske, on 05/20/2009, -0/+1I would think that saving money buy buying a small car that uses less gas would be a value upheld by "conservatives".
- truck87bp, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@kindaslow
Where do the profits go? Here or abroad? Research and Development is the key to any big business coming out with new products and Technologies to grow as business. They need these profits to give you and I what we want as a buying public. You must have profits to fund this work. Do you think it's free or are you not concerned that you county owns the licensing and patents for emerging technologies.
If this is how America thinks than we surely are in trouble. Jobs put money into local economies. You are so willing to let Honda or Hyundai eliminate 9 out of 10 industrial jobs in America. For every industrial job lost in America, 5 other jobs are also lost that surrounded that industry, like hair salons, party stores, banks, restaurants and so on. Is this that hard to understand. Haven't you ever seen a deserted town and wonder why? The Industry move out.
Did you ever hear of the Industrial Revolution and the impact it had on us as a nation..Growth...What is going to happen when all of industry closes it's doors in the U.S. because you don't see any benefits from buying American products? Have you ever seen pictures from the 1930's ? History does repeat itself if you let it. If you have seen the pictures, then do something about it so you and I don't have to see them again tomorrow. We need what Industries we have left or we won't survive. Their is no need to outsource if your product sells well and you make a good profit.
Please think about this and the impact its having on our Great nation. What would happen to your town if the main industry folds. Where are you on the food chain? - PYREX, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3GM is pursuing this direction because Fox News has proven that their audience is EXTREMELY PLIABLE and very open to doing what their told.
Because rational people dont buy GM when there are better, cheaper options.
GM & Ford are not really american brands anymore. Toyota & Honda & BMW & DCX all have many factories in the U.S. & canada. Whereas GM & Ford are closing factories and moving them to mexico.
The only thing American about GM & Ford anymore is their history. that's it. -
Show 51 - 100 of 136 discussions
Check out the new & improved 
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is