Dumped S.C. dealer shares his disillusionment with GM

He says he doesn't think taking away jobs will help economy

The Post and Courier
Thursday, June 18, 2009


photo

The Post and Courier

Al Bilton, president of Bilton-Behr Chevrolet in Holly Hill, takes the sag out of a banner posted at his dealership in Holly Hill. He lost confidence in General Motors after the automobile giant told him last month it would not renew his contract to sell GM vehicles in October 2010.

HOLLY HILL — Al Bilton received a plaque from General Motors in April congratulating him on being in the car business for 25 years. A month later, GM informed him it would not renew his contract to sell its products after October 2010.

The Bilton-Behr Chevrolet president saw it as a slap in the face, so much so his dealership now sports a banner across a fence on his car lot that originally read, "GM — total confidence." The sign has since been changed to read, "GM — No confidence."

"That pretty much sums it up," Bilton said.

Bilton-Behr Chevrolet was among 1,100 dealerships put on notice in May as GM prepared to file for bankruptcy protection. And it's one of the few to publicly acknowledge it's losing its franchise. GM informed federal lawmakers last week it is cutting loose 24 South Carolina dealerships, but the locations have not been disclosed.

The automaker said the dealership cuts were meant to increase its ability to compete by getting rid of what it called too many GM lots competing with each other. That's not how Bilton sees it.

"It's a sad day when the best way to salvage a company is to get rid of the dealerships," Bilton lamented as he looked over the thinning lot where he has sold GM vehicles for a quarter of a century.

Bilton said his business didn't cost GM anything and he can't understand why the company is severing ties with loyal franchises that market and sell its products.

"I do not receive one dime from GM to keep my dealership open," he said. "I pay for every car, truck and part I order. I do not think that closing my Chevrolet dealership and putting good, hardworking people out of work relieves our national economic crisis."

Bilton employs about two dozen people who work jointly for his side-by-side Ford and Chevrolet dealerships on the outskirts of this tiny Orangeburg County hamlet.

He doesn't know what effect the Chevrolet dealership's loss will have on his employees, some who have been with him since 1971, when he first started selling Ford vehicles.

He continues to sell Ford cars next door and is toying with the idea of bringing in late-model imports to replace GM autos.

A smattering of new Chevrolets remained on his lot this week, including an $18,000 Cobalt, a $25,000 Colorado crew cab truck and a $37,500 fully loaded Traverse SUV.

"Our biggest sales were trucks, Tahoes and Suburbans," he said. "When gas went to $4 a gallon, you couldn't get rid of them. Now, with the cutbacks on people's work hours and everything going on in the economy, people aren't buying $50,000 vehicles anymore."

Son Ken Bilton has noticed a pullback in customer interest now that gas prices are creeping back up. "You see it's slowing down again already," he said.

The elder Bilton said he was informed in January in person by a local GMAC representative that GM was going to cut off his floor-plan financing, which dealerships rely on to replace inventory. He was given until April 15 to find a replacement.

While he found another funding source, he said GM still "cut us off out of the blue."

"They won't even let us order a new vehicle even for a new customer," he said. "We can't even figure a new vehicle. They took that from us too."

Bilton predicts GM's strategy will backfire and drive customers to competing dealers.

"They are shooting themselves in the foot," Bilton said. "What they are doing in the rural areas just ain't going to work. If a guy has to drive 30 or 40 miles to get to a GM store, he might decide to stop by a Toyota store instead."

Reach Warren Wise at 937-5524 or wwise@postandcourier.com.

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Comments

Ethan57 (anonymous) says...

Who cares. I've been laid off 6 times in 7 years. I don't feel sorry for this guy. Welcome to trickle up poverty. Only a fool would believe in "lifetime" promises. Wake up fool. America is a lie.

June 18, 2009 at 2:02 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

nickl (anonymous) says...

Ethan, if you've been laid off 6 times in 7 years then perhaps you should look more at your own work ethic than America. I've never been laid off in my life. and I fought for America for 6 years as a Marine. So shut up with your bull**** about America being a lie. Just work harder you lazy bastard.

June 18, 2009 at 3:05 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

pirate42 (anonymous) says...

got to save those POWERFULL UNIONS they get paid like royalty

June 18, 2009 at 4:53 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

moonpie (anonymous) says...

Yeah not sure how cutting dealers from any mfg line of auto's is going to help GM, or Chrysler? I understand how they can now drive the vehicle prices up but who is spending that kind of money these days?

I like nickl.

June 18, 2009 at 6:26 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mb300sl (anonymous) says...

nicki: Outstanding post! Ethan57 needs to get a life...or at least get his in order.

June 18, 2009 at 6:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

gococks1985 (anonymous) says...

High five Nicki!!! Ethan, feel free to relocate to another country that has the same freedom's that we enjoy on a daily basis. Oh, wait..there isn't one.

June 18, 2009 at 7:22 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justmyview (anonymous) says...

In order to really compete with the foreign car companies, the big 3 US firms had to reduce dealers, labor cost and produce vehicles that people want. I also find it interesting that people are quick to blame the unions for the demise of the US auto industry but almost no one talks about how the greed and incompetence of wall street has this country on the brink of a depression.

June 18, 2009 at 7:37 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Chicago_Thug (anonymous) says...

6 words - OBAMA REPAYS UNION SCREWS LITTLE GUY.

Great post nickl, ethan57 sounds like the typical loser blaming eveyone else for his/her failures and laziness.

June 18, 2009 at 7:44 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

BulldogTLC (anonymous) says...

Justmyview - exactly why do the big 3 have to reduce dealers??? The dealers are the ones purchasing the cars from the manufacturers. Explain please.....Oh, yeah - I know, it's so they can cut out competition.

June 18, 2009 at 9:03 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

desspec (anonymous) says...

Dealers didn't kill GM, unions did, therefor ...

June 18, 2009 at 9:11 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Zod (anonymous) says...

The closing is business common sense. The Bilton business has been fixed price government sales and a price point slightly under the Summerville dealership.

June 18, 2009 at 9:16 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

localboy (anonymous) says...

I'd be interested to see the economic theory that supports "justmyviews" points as well. If the stockholders who allow the companies to use their money with an expectation of a larger return on that money is the problem, then the problem is systemic within the people who believe that there should not a value expectation.
Legacy costs on the Big 3 cars are three time that placed on those "foreign jobs" but wait, many of those foreign jobs are made here in the US by US workers living well above the poverty level. Oh yeah, those plants are also typically in the South where the entitlement mentality seems to be vastly different in the general working populace.

June 18, 2009 at 9:16 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mattcofc (anonymous) says...

Man that sucks about closing his dealership, he does bring up a valid point with the rural area excuse, but people will drive for a deal on a car. Working for GM is like playing for the Detroit Lions, no one wants to be on a team that sucks that bad.

June 18, 2009 at 9:27 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

steeler6pack (anonymous) says...

everybody knows that the dealerships cost gm,ford,and chysler money every year. when the dealerships advertise their taking $8000.00 off the top of your new car that's $8000.00 it cost gm, ford, and chysler. thats why the dealerships over stock each year knowing the big boys will bail them out with rebate money.you never see toyota or honda with these large rebates because they don't have dealerships every 15 miles down the road over stocking and relying on toyota and honda to bail them out. right now all americans should by foreign autos till the american auto industry comes clean with the tax payers to let them know the uions are't to blame for the mess their in. i beleive the dealership problem was 90% of this mess and by closing this many dealerships will be the start in the right direction.if not for unions the american worker would be making a little over minium wage thess days.mr. bilton you should match the rebates that gm is giving don't you think!

June 18, 2009 at 9:42 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ruralgirl (anonymous) says...

ZOD, PLEASE EXPLAIN YOUR STATEMENT

June 18, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

BulldogTLC (anonymous) says...

Unions had their time and did some good in the past, now they are slowly killing any business that chooses to use Union labor.

June 18, 2009 at 9:56 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

grayhead (anonymous) says...

What GM, and Chrysler, did to their dealers, is typical of what is coming down as the government takes over more and more of private enterprise. Dealers buy the company's product. They then sell it for what price they can get and hopefully make a profit. There is no cost savings to GM by having fewer dealers. There will be less competition, therefore the consumer gets screwed, again. Government, and especially Ombam and his knucklehead cronies who have never worked in the real world, have no clue how to run any business. In fact, they are ANTI-business so this is all going to get worse unless we wake up, raise hell in DC and get the bums up there to stand up for us, or throw them all out. Government only causes problems, it is never the solution. If every time Ombama opens his mouth you aren't scared s***less, you are not paying attention!

June 18, 2009 at 9:57 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

steeler6pack (anonymous) says...

mr.bilton people are driving 30 miles to buy toyotas and hondas now i don't see where your problem is. you don't mine seeing union workers loosing their jobs. it's a little diffrent when it hits a rich man. i feel for your emloyees but it happen to millions so far.

June 18, 2009 at 9:58 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

ruralgirl (anonymous) says...

steeler6pack, i believe people should buy american made products to help save american jobs. items made in the usa by usa citizens and bought by usa citizens help our economy. maybe you are the rich one.

June 18, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

BulldogTLC (anonymous) says...

rural - actually most of the "foriegn" cars are built in US plants, by US workers. The difference (and the reason that Honda and Toyota are doing well) is that they do not use union labor.

June 18, 2009 at 10:11 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

steeler6pack (anonymous) says...

rualgirl no i'am laidoff from my job just like a lot of americans. i don't believe in government running any american bussinesses.by buying foreign cars will send a message for government to get out of gm, and chysler and do what they are suppose to do run our country and defend the consitution thats their jobs. go union america!!!

June 18, 2009 at 10:17 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

zoomru (anonymous) says...

GREAT COMMENTS..........!!!!

Keep it up ...citizens !!

~~ Citizens...this article is a blatant example of WHAT ? ~~

Who wrote this piece of ....CRAP !!????

~~...BEWARE Citizens ...~~ Re-read this article and sit back and ...THINK !!!!!???

AL BILTON.......do you have ANY idea what the wives of your Salesmen and Service workers are THINKING about YOU ..?? Do you..?? What protests have you LED the last decade at your very DEALERSHIP...??? How many sales of those fine AUTOz went to MARINES ....AL ?? How many went to fine men like OUR fellow poster ...NICKL ???? AL, did you bring ANY awareness to the FACT that NICKL and other auto BUYING servicemen and women are serving in the Middle east to protect WHAT shipping lanes......!?!?!?!?!

AL did you and your WIFE discuss at any time the need for AMERICA to scuttle the ETHANOL SCAM....!?!?!

Mr. AL Bilton.....have you done ANYTHING to protect SC Farmerz that Buy your trucks by EDUCATING and confronting OBAMA about AMERICAN ALGAE Bio-Diesel from www.valcent.net !!!! AL.....your NO IDIOT.. just a foreign OIL lackey !
We know as a business man that it stinks and hurts seeing all your efforts get pinched...!!! The SAD fact is that you have NOT used your time at the TOP to look out for the faultz of having your biz fueled by only ONE FOREIGN energy SOURCE.......YOU FOOL !!! We hope you buy more than one STOCK in your retirement Mutual FUND....!!!!!!!

How many models of your autos...

... are DIESEL...??
...are plug in HYBRIDz...??
...run on ALGAE Bio-diesel...???
....are ElectRIC.....??

Al....how many MARINES have died to ensure Foreign "Commerce" is delivered and refined to fuel ....WHAT????

How many MARINES do we have world wide protecting WIND FARMS....!?!?!

Al....doe SC have any WINDFARMz....!?!?!

Al....GE workers in OUR very state driving GM Trucks and AUTOz do not benefit from GE windturbine ENERGY....!?!?!

Al...How much is your ELECTRIC Bill per MONTH for your dealership...!?!?! Do you know that COAL is RAILED by foreign DIESEL and not American Algae bio-diesel from SC Farmerz that you sell TRUCKS too...!?!?!

Al......take a trip out to VALCENT and find a company building cars and TRUCKS that will use this American DIESEL fuel and OPEN a NEW Dealership.......NOW !!!!!!

WE...ARE....FED....UP !!!!!!!

.....and make your WIFE ...PROUD !!!!!!!

June 18, 2009 at 10:19 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

wkirick (anonymous) says...

Unions are the biggest part of the problem, the rebate amounts are needed to compete with the other automakers. There are Honda plants, Toyota plants and others throughout the southeast which operate for much less then the BIG 3's plants simply due to Unions. In any business, Labor is generally your number one cost and if you are not watching your labor costs then you will be out of business very soon.
Mr. Bilton may be a rich man, and good for him for taking the risk of being an entrepreneur, but he is one person in a company with what I would guess has several employees. So even if he is going to be financially OK for a while, what will his employees do for money? I haven't noticed too many places hiring. I guess our government will support them, which means our taxes will be paying the bill.

June 18, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

justmyview (anonymous) says...

Localboy Steeler6pack answered your question. If all dealers were such "cash Cows" GM cnd Chrysler would not need to eliminate any dealerships. The auto manufacturers do incur costs maintaining their relationships with dealers. While it is unfortunate that people are loosing their jobs and way of life, from a business standpoint the strong and high performing dealers must continue and those who are not must find something else to do.

June 18, 2009 at 10:22 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Lazy2009 (anonymous) says...

Chevy stopped building the Camaro and everything went downhill. Imagine how many construction industy types would have snagged a new Camaro between 2003-2007. It's too late now. Sorry.

June 18, 2009 at 10:22 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mattcofc (anonymous) says...

The buy American thing is somewhat of a farce, these car companies outsource part manufacturing and other aspects to foreign countries. So for me as a capitalist, I buy the best product at the best available price regardless of where it comes from.

June 18, 2009 at 10:32 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

wkirick (anonymous) says...

just my view and steeler6pack, I get what you are saying about the car dealers and your opinion is a fine point. HOWEVER, Why close the dealerships? Couldn't they just allow "the strongest survive"? If Mr. Bilton's dealership is operating in the black (profit) then shouldn't that let GM know they are selling cars because of him and not inspite of him? I feel that attrition might be a better route for GM to take. If His dealership is serving the community then it will survive, if it is not then it will fall. The successful survive. THAT IS THE AMERICAN WAY.

June 18, 2009 at 10:38 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

zoomru (anonymous) says...

AL Bilton........

How does the Union Brass feel about the need to have these women protecting ....WHAT ??

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/20...

We all know Steeler6Pack would use AMERICAN Algae DIESEL FUEL instead of FOREIGN....!!!!!

June 18, 2009 at 10:43 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

mattcofc (anonymous) says...

The dealership agreement is a two way street, Bilton could walk away just as well as GM. And besides there is no right to a dealership, Bilton is not entitled to it. If GM believes that it is in its best interest to shut him down, then do it. However I am not throwing my hat in GM's corner whatsoever. They are a faltering company with a business model from 50 years ago that is failing them. So whoever espouses "What is good for GM is good for America" is full of crap.

June 18, 2009 at 11:14 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

zoomru (anonymous) says...

AL BILTON......... (yes YOU !!)

Does it not make YOU mad as Jesus in the Temple to have Warren Wise and Charles Rowe to publish this article in a TONE to get fellow citizens to FEEL sorry for YOU ...!?!?!

Your Wife MARRIED a ....freakin' WINNER !!!! She did not marry a LOSER !!!!!! We are not going to let this paper make you OUT to be a LOSER !!!!! We want and cheer for you to be a winner and productive to generate TAX REVENUE !!!!!!! That's right Mr. Al Bilton....!!!!!!

Al....this is what you need to do TODAY...!!! Call a meeting of a salespeople and Service technicians into the LOBBY for a TEAM meeting....!!!!!!

Get down on one KNEE and look them in the eye...,!!!!! And this is what you TELL them...!!!!!

Quote:.....
" Bilton Dealership WORKERS, I have asked you all to come here to offer my apologies. As with any Leader, or COACH, or Pastor, or BOY SCOUT Leader; I have failed to prepare US all for the TIMES that we all find OURselves in TODAY. Well, by GOD, when we are served LEMONS...WHAT do we know we must DO..!!!! I pledge to you today that I will personally get off my tookus and find a AUTO company that will build or MODIFY used cars to run on AMERICAN ALGAE Bio-diesel produced by American Farmers.....~!!!!!!! It has been brought to my attention by my WIFE that certain LOCAL Consumers will feel compelled to buy AMERICAN Fueled Diesel Autos and NOT FOreign....!!!! Well, that is an untapped mARKET that must be filled and I know that with the fine sales force that we have that we can sell the heck out of them...!!!!! I know that the fine service technicians will continue to service loyal GM customers and will take it as a CHALLENGE to learn about Algae Bio-DIesel engine REPAIR and SERVICE...!!!!! TEAM we have work to do...!! We have to get EDUCATED about American Algae Bio-diesel at www.valcent.net ...!!!! If they can make JET FUEL, BY GOD, they can produce AUTO fuel....!!!! Heck, we may start selling JET CARS....!!!! I, AL Bilton, am a WINNER..!!!! And I am FED UP just as ZOOMRU in the POST and Courier IS about OUR state's elected Politicians on both sides of the aisle....!?!?! Well, Al knows how to SELL.....and I'm going to find some AMERICAN Fueled Autos to SELL.....!!!!!!! "

...end quote..!!

Al...GET Busy !!!!! Your Wife and a lot of Marine Customers are WAITING...!!!!!!

Let's GO......!!!!!!!

June 18, 2009 at 11:47 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

udc (anonymous) says...

Zoomru do us all a favor and put down the pipe. I think you should get back on your medication before you lose the remainder of your brain cells. Have a Bio-Diesel day you
idiot loser.

June 18, 2009 at 12:08 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

sccarman1976 (anonymous) says...

ZOOMRU.....YOU ARE NUTTIER THAN SQUIRREL S@#T!!!!!!!!
YOU HAVE BEEN SNIFFING TOO MUCH ALGAE DIESEL....

June 18, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

sassy09 (anonymous) says...

zoomru what are you smoking? please tell me what the marines, salesmen's wives and algae fuel has to do with this article?

June 18, 2009 at 12:10 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

combahee (anonymous) says...

Wow, half of you make as much sense as sitting in a mud puddle to get clean! Damn

June 18, 2009 at 12:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

zoomru (anonymous) says...

Well....well...well

Citizens of this fine STATE.....

We have new recruits to the fRONTLINES of ENERGY awareness here in OUR state....!!!!!

Welcome SCcarman1976, sassy09, and UDC...!!! Considering this is your FIRST day of BASIC training; it is imperative that you EDUCATE yourself at ....

www.valcent.net ....

www.startech.net ....

www.selsam.com ....

and www.unimodal.com ....

...and that is an ORDER from the Spirit of PATTON....!!!!

We are not going to sit back and WHINE and wait for OBAMA or Harrell or McConnell or Henry Brown or Robert FORD or Andre' BAUER, or Henry McMaster, or Mr. Grooms, or Rev. Amos "AMEN" Elliott or CHARLES ROWE to solve OUR problems...!!!! By goD, We are going to do it ourselves by EDUCATING everyone in this freakin' state that OUR problem is where we get OUR energy FROM.....!?!?!

Recruits.....EDUCATE yourself...!!!! Sit and think about what is NOT being revealed to YOU by OUR very Leaders that we ELECT...!!!!!!

We ....are.....fed....UP !!!!!!

The Battle cry for the State of SC from now til the first WIND turbine is installed, the first SC Farmer producing Alge Bio-Diesel and ALL Landfills CLOSED using Plasma COnverters and Recycling efforts.....(and TAX REVENUE generated too Boot) will be "Itz the ENERGY...STUPID!!"

By God.....MARCH ....!!! (Fist POUNDZ...!!!!!!)

June 18, 2009 at 1:14 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

sassy09 (anonymous) says...

zoomru you need to march. straight to the psych ward!!

June 18, 2009 at 1:32 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

SCHoser (anonymous) says...

Zoomru is just passionate about the environment. Not saying he/she is not a little off somewhere up top, but nonetheless he/she feels strongly about it. I don't think the term tree hugging liberal would do him justice. Me thinks the reason he is posting on this article is due to the fact that Bilton sold many gas guzzlers and zoomru doesn't like that!

June 18, 2009 at 1:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

nighttrain (anonymous) says...

Zoomru - your posts are always some of the best and a welcome change from the too often "i'm right, you're wrong!" chatter on this site. keep 'em coming and let me know when an engineer can squeeze 200+ hps from a biofuel burner....(Fist POUNDZ...!!!!!)

June 18, 2009 at 2:34 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

zoomru (anonymous) says...

sassy09..........

Rules for new recruits.....

1 Be kind to one another, posters see the value in putting their thoughts into black and WHITE for all to read and see. Which is more than MOST of OUR Elected officials will do on a DAILY basis in their local paper...!?!

2 Take a verbal BAT to all elected officials that are not respectful of all TAXPAYER Wallets. Picking and choosing does not FOSTER teamwork...

3 When critically exposing problems with all officials; make sure a SOLUTION to the problem with links are provided to educate other posters...

4 Watch the MOVIE ....PATTON !!!!

5 Reread the MLK Mall speech... (I have a dream)

6 Read the Constitution.....

7 Think of everything that citizens across our state have in common and solve the problems surrounding those issues ...FIRST !!!!

8 Be vigilant and comment EVERY CHANCE you get....

9 Challenge all fellow citizens to COMMENT following these rules .......

10 OUR GOAL is to have 20,000 people commenting on ENERgY SOLUTIONS for our state to get our ECONOMY back on track......all on the SAME DAY. Day to DAY....!!!! This is HOW MLK would have focused people in the internet age to expose problems and FOCUS pressure for CHANGE that helps everyone.....

11 The main weakness to corrupt power is an EDUCATED citizenry.......ALL Citizens KNOW we have WIND, RIGHT ?? We have GE right here in our state BUT Have no Wind Turbines UP generating ENERGY....!!!!!

12 A united citizenry will always .....WIN !!!!!

SASSY09......join US on the FRONTLINES..!!

June 18, 2009 at 3:33 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

udc (anonymous) says...

ZOOMRU, I now understand why animals eat there young. Do you think that the french-fry vehicle movement is going to last. I understand that you belive that a fan in a field will end all world convicts, BRAVO! WE can all rest easy now knowing that your WIND,and GREEN STUFF IN FISH TANKS has solved all the worlds problems. It is a comfort to me knowing that people like you are looking out for us(SARCASM IDIOT) in the USA today. In closing why dont you get on your bicycle or kite, and get back to OZ. I for one will always side with the small business people, it is the backbone of this fine country.

June 18, 2009 at 3:48 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

zoomru (anonymous) says...

UDC.....GREAT Comment...

"...I for one will always side with the small business people, it is the backbone of this fine country..."

www.startech.net is a small biz.....

www.valcent.net is a small biz....

www.selsam.com is a small biz.....

www.unimodal.com is a small biz.....

See UDC we have other things in common other than WIND....!!!

Also....We also understand that no ONE technology will solve our energy needz ..!! OBAMA wants change ....so why continue to bend over to ROBErT BYRD, the COAL Lobby, foreign OIL and shieks when we have untapped ENERGY of all sorts right here in OUR own state....!!!!????

Do you not think UDC that we should also have truth in product origin on the GAS pumps we use...!?! We have stickers in our clothes and on our fruits.....WHY NOT have a mug of Hugo Chavez or King Abdullah on the PUMPS to remind all citizens who we are kissing every time we go to the pump....!!!! It may make MOTHERS of the fine men and women that are going oversees .....WHAT ????

June 18, 2009 at 4:03 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

udc (anonymous) says...

I do think we need stickers on everything in this country starting with a big one across your forehead that says
CERTIFIABLE!

June 18, 2009 at 4:15 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

justjerry (anonymous) says...

Don't worry, Mr Bilton, there are several folks like myself who will not buy a GM or Chrysler product until they have completely paid back their public debt and are no longer under goverment control. And the likelihood of that happening is slim to none. However, you do have a Ford dealership and my pick up is going on 12 years old....

June 18, 2009 at 7:45 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

MP (anonymous) says...

They must have computers and allow patients access to the internet in the insanity ward of the local hospital. Just read Zoomru's incoherent dribble!

June 19, 2009 at 6:19 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

Ethan57 (anonymous) says...

Yeah Nickl. Like being in the armed forces protects you from being laid off or instills higher work ethic powers. Remember the bonus marchers in the 1030's? WWI vets who protested in Washington for money the country had promised them for their service. They were gunned down in the streets of our nation's capitol by non other than General George McArthur. They couldn't find jobs. They just wanted what they had earned by their patriotic service. What do you say to them? Their families? Their grandchildren? Oh, and wasn't Lee Harvey Oswald a Marine? Don't get sanctimonious with people because of your personal choices.

June 30, 2009 at 11:56 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

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