Many of us understand that none of the decisions that have led us to this dismal point in GE's existence were the result of hourly employee input. All we can do is reconcile the fact that our jobs are in limbo along with our pensions. We shrug our shoulders ( the GE salute ) at the new ideas and pep talks from the kids that are in charge of collective fate. The ideas that keep us behind the 8 ball, and therums that have been dis-proven 20 years ago, but are going to work this time because of the fresh new degrees the "leaders" have, just make us smile. We have fought the good fight, and unfortunately lost against the machine that has turned out to be too big to fix. We have resigned ourselves to "ride the pony till it dies", in the hopes of a buy out or severance. So to the arrogant, smug, condescending, dual degree salaried employees, yes, you have worn us down. You have won. Like a conquering General riding into the city that you have destroyed, only to be surrounded by ruin, you have won. Yet, you do not posses the skill, nor the tenacity to rebuild what you have broken. You have won the right to rep your spoils.
Bumped from @Vn7TvJa-1mzn for being really well said.