[mcmama]

Should the Big 3 American Auto makers be bailed out by Congress? Should this be part of the 700 billion plan, or added on?

Other countries are subsidizing their auto makers. But then, other countries were producing hybrids at a time when the big three were producing Escalades, Hummers, etc.

If we bail them out, should the government then get a shot a telling detroit how to run their business?

[MissyChrissy]

Honestly, I don't know enough about the whole situation to really make an educated statement on it. Emotionally-I want to say screw them, they made bad choices and let them fall. But intellectually I know the impact that could have on us as a society could be devastating...far worse than what it is right now. However, I'm not convinced the bailout will cure what ails our economy either. I just don't know.

[pattiewrites]

I agree with MissyChrissy, I just don't know either. Letting them fail would really hurt the economy and cause job loss of good paying jobs. It would kill states like Michigan. On the other hand, just writing them a blank check, like we did with the financial services industry doesn't seem like a great idea either. I would be in favor of some type of government input, particularly in terms of producing more vehicles that are energy efficent and generate less pollution. Also, some of the money should be used to make alternative energy vehicles, like hybrids or electric cars. The bottom line is the Big 3 need to get more competitive and the big old American gas guzzler is not the wave of the future.

[inthespirit]

Yesterday I spent all day at the yearly Auto Show, not where they sell the cars/trucks but where they polish them till they gleam under the lights. I counted a few of the jobs just to put on the show - the delivery trucks, that's an industry of itself, the guys who kept cleaning each car, the staff of 10 at least who introduced the cars - the people who handed the information - the ones who registered visitors - the dozens who gave the demonstration rides - the registrants for the rides - dozens who walked around handing out information . How many jobs you think that was? Now add the ones who sold their lemonade and munchies, the ones who took the tickets, the ones who stamped the hands, the ones who did security, the ones who worked with the hundreds of media people who showed up, the ones who kept the place clean, the ones who worked the toilets. How many hundreds of jobs? Oh forgot the specialty room, polish, cleaners, safety belts, supplies made specifically for cars.
No, we can not kill our auto manufacturers or the thousands of jobs dependant on that Ford or GM or XXX product which takes you to the store, to the doctor, to the movies, etc. I admit to buying a small car - a few months later I was hit at a light, thrown into the intersection and 2 of us were permanently disabled and unemployable. Small isn't the answer either - EFFICIENT is one part of it, fewer models, lower prices and machines which don't break down more often than we do. But we need industries or do we want cars built in India now?

[inthespirit]

Sometimes you have to look beyond the tip of your nose. Support any American industry which hasn't been bankrupted or shipped overseas.