Democrats shield automakers

We can't just let them fall on their face. As much as I hate big trucks and especially GM, it can't happen (Unfortunately, I think Obama's too late to save them. They're just sinking too fast). If these companies fall, then tens-of-thousands more are jobless. That will just add fuel to the fires of this economic recession our country is in. If we want to get out of this slump, we need to figure out ways to help the economy, while at the same time help the ecosystem at the same time. Give them the bail out, on the terms that they start making more fuel efficient vehicles. In turn, this will save jobs, and at least make an effort to save the planet (which ,in my opinion, we're too late, as far as the whole "green movement" goes). They have the technology to make more fuel efficient vehicles. The government needs to go ahead and raise the CAFE standards. By the way, the Smart Car isn't that "smart". *City/highway (mpg - 33/41 (EPA 2008). It doesn't get nearly the fuel economy as... for example the Toyota Prius. **Mileage estimates (mpg city/highway/combined) [3] - 8/45/46.

This doesn't just apply to the automotive industry though, as far as the bail-outs go. I think that there should be tax breaks or other government incentives, on the basis that corporations and small businesses alike, should raise wages, for the average hourly employee, to keep up with inflation. This will not only alleviate the average Americans' fears about the economy, but also allow people to go SPEND the money that they are EARNING, as opposed to stimulus checks from the government. This would, in turn, provide the stimulation that the economy needs to rebuild itself. Yes, it is a gradual process, but instant gratification will not help anything in the long run. Promoting laziness within the general population is not the answer. Not only that, but people would also be able to start paying back their debts, be it to credit card companies, banks, auto finance loans, mortgage loans, etc. Stop pointing fingers and do something. It's like the old saying goes, "If you're not a part of the solution, then you're part of the problem." Accountability. I don't know, just a thought. I just want to see people do the right thing. People helping people. The greater good... you know.

*http://www.smartusa.com/smart-car-technical-specifications.aspx

**http://www.toyota.com/prius-hybrid/specs.html

http://www.hulu.com/watch/44471/nbc-nightly-news-with-brian-williams-breaking-do...

They had their chance to build eco-friendly cars, and refused to..........They are part of the problem...LET THEM FALL!!!

In 1998 Chrysler Had developed a hybrid neon that had a three cylinder deisle engine that also had a battery that would get 50 to 70 mpg. This project was canceled after Daimler benz took over in favor of their smart car. They also wanted to develope hydrogen power and hybrid SUVs and trucks that would get 40 to 50 mpg that the NTSB shut down as to impractical and dangerous because of the hydrogen developed.
We have let the government and foreign intrest as well as a supposed National security issue stand in the way to long. Our Industry would searve us well if we had a populace that wold not look down their noses at it saying that the foreign products are better. We taught them how to do it in the first place.

The premiss is who will we thank for a future of miss adventure? I think the man who builds a machine should knowingly understand he is the creator of something worthwhile, something we aspire to. Capitalism does not give me hope, it is a failing institution. Why because however you look at it makes people want more of something we don’t need. And it is consumed at the expense of people who have less wealth then you or me. No let the system fail. Because a better system will be created from this, I can promise you.

This is despicable. The Dems are so tightly connected to the Unions they have no choice but to back this outrageous idea. Let them fail and then maybe they will make fuel efficient cars that last. Unions are trying to suck up this money to feed to their own not to help the auto industry.

we shouldn't congratulate these companies on their persistent ignorance. they new exactly what they were doing and they did it anyway. now they get to go on retreats with aig? this is ridiculous.

About time. You would've half expected the Repubs to do something about it before they left office. Ohh Sorry, I forgot they were to busy shredding files and putting tax payer money in the trunk of their cars.

I stil cannot understand why they want to bail out auto manufacturers. These are the same companies that for YEARS refused to make hybridized vehicles.

Not only that, but why are we bailing out companies that aren't directly related to the banks that we were told had to be bailed out? Where does it end?

We drive down many streets here and see literally THOUSANDS of cars just sitting on lots. On one street alone, 16 dealerships with acres of cars.

Why don't they simply recall the stock, recycle the wasted materials and devote those materials to making more environmentally friendly cars? What happens to those MILLIONS of SUVs and other cars that just sit there gathering dust?

And lets bail out all the airlines next, and then the motorcycle companies, then the bicycle manufactures, then the skateboard companies, then the tennis shoe companies...

hell, why dont we just not have any companies at all? We could just send every Ameican bailout checks.

My VW goes 600 to 750 miles between fill ups (under 15 gallons). When US Auto makers show they can give us mid and full size cars that are getting 40-50mpg on conventional fuels, they deserve the bailout.

hmmm...not sure what to say...I am a union girl, never catch me crossing a line.

In Asia, the Chaebol Daewoo was dismantled in 1999 when it went bankrupt, with billions of dollars in losses and thousands of jobs lost. Part of the Daewoo group was their automotive manufacturing, which was snapped up by GM.

I really think American firms have become completely uncompetitive in the world market and they're being spoiled further by this bail outs. The industries themselves have structural defects which, according to Capitalists, competition will force change upon.

But with this propping up strategy to win political brownie points is not going to make things any better. First off, the taxpayers are going to foot the bill; secondly, most of the management in the company are the same bastards that got the company bankrupt; and lastly, the workers themselves are stubborn to accept competitive realities.

Like right now in Seattle, Boeing's stuck in a battle with the Union as the parties renegotiate the contract. What's sad is that Boeing's competitive in their business but the Unions are unrealistic about their demands. I don't even know what Boeing's going to do anymore.

So, yeah. I don't know whats going to happen here anymore.

I agree k8...they are so far behind and they were warned back in the 70's when people waited in lines to get gas for hours, then were only allowed to get gas on certain days based upon their license plate numbers. Least that is how the gas crunch was dealt with in CA, don't know about other states. After almost 40 years they should be on top of the game now. They chose to ignore everything.

Had forgotten about when Toyota started bringing cars here, they were 'strange" looking because of being so small, everyone was up in arms because they were from another country and not made here. People were so angry. Automakers didn't pay much attention to that either.

They've dug their own grave as far as I'm concerned. Its not like they're going to just disappear. Not giving them the money will just lead to major restructuring which is obviously what they desperately need. No I don't want people to lose their jobs, that's awful but GM/Ford/Chrysler are so far behind Toyota at this point when are they going to catch up... 5... 20 years? Even if we gave them the money is anyone going to go out and buy one of their cars in the next few years? How many fuel efficient cars does GM make... 3? They don't care now and they haven't cared for the past 35 years when US oil production peaked and gas prices went up. We've been asking for better american cars forever and they responded with nothing. Too bad. Should have listened to what the people wanted instead of insisting on telling them what they wanted.

It looks like we have a choice of a depression or socialism, which do you choose?

As much as I was against the bailout, I would much prefer the government to help the car companies who employ more middle income families than those who work in Wall Street.

"After making record profits, Wall Street giant Goldman Sachs Group Inc. reported that it will pay its workers an average of $622,000 this year.

That's more than three times the average salary of a Massachusetts surgeon; four times that of a Massachusetts chief executive; and nearly 12 times that of a Massachusetts high school teacher, according to the state's Department of Workforce Development."

Got the above paragraph from here:
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2006/12/12/good_deal_average_goldman_sac...

And that was in 2006. 622,000 dollars a year for the average employee. How much would a GM worker make, if lucky 30-40k a year? I'd much rather help them and think the Wall Street guys should have a nice nest egg built up somewhere.

Get the corporations out of my government.