Re: Should the Auto Industry Be Bailed Out? ..

it's a no-win situation. if we don't give them something, they would sooner fold and keep their money than do the hard thing and renegotiate their contracts and close plants and see distributors close...in the end, we could really could see millions of people lose their jobs. if we give them money, then we are paying an unrepentant industry our hard earned tax dollars for mismanaging their companies.

Re: Should the Auto Industry Be Bailed Out? ..

unfortunately, at least from what I have read thus far today, Obama wants this to happen and seems to have great support from the democrats so it looks like the bailout is going to help the auto industry....I think a lot of people from a political standpoint, are not gonig to like this move on his part, it feels way too much like a quick fix without any thought wrapped around it....

Re: Should the Auto Industry Be Bailed Out? ..

Re: Should the Auto Industry Be Bailed Out? ..

Unfortunately, it's not so cut and dried.

My dad said something like 1 in 9 jobs are directly or indirectly related to the auto industry...So if the Big 3 go under, others will be affected.

If they close their doors, all of their support staff and factory workers will lose jobs.

Manufacturing companies who supplied parts will be out of jobs.

Technicians and servicemen for the factories will be out of jobs.

Auto body shops and repair shops will be out of jobs.

Road workers and road-related industries will be out of jobs.

There's just soooo many more things at stake than just letting them go under. It's a really tough call. My inclination is to bail them out--can't risk the potential outcomes if we don't.

Re: Should the Auto Industry Be Bailed Out? ..

Re: Should the Auto Industry Be Bailed Out? ..

No, a recession is painful, but we are increasing the problem tenfold by trying to dilute the natural economic cycle with these tremendous bailouts. Growth and prosperity will come soon enough if we just let the markets have their down turn.

Re: Should the Auto Industry Be Bailed Out? ..

Posted by Ophelia

I don't think we have a choice.

I am so angry about this b/c I FRIGGING HATE BIG BUSINESS.

I hate their lobbyist and their practices.

I hate that the "chiefs" of these companies will sit pretty while their employees are laid off and have to fend for themselves.

I HATE that there is ZERO accountability....

BUT...and the but is huge...

if we let them go under, and so many people lose their jobs...even forgetting about the bleeding heart aspect...

more people on social services, less people with medical insurance (and more people in the ER for easily treatable afflictions) MORE crime. MORE homelessness. MORE strain on the taxpayers dollars.

and then there is simply that...my achy breaky heart...that feels TERRIBLY that people will have to suffer b/c of a combination of so many things (greed, bad luck, poor timing, poor planning etc) people losing their homes, going hungry...it's just awful.

I still say that the "LEADERSHIP" of these companies should get the SAME PACKAGE as every other employee. it's disgraceful how they jump into the biggest poshest life raft when they should be going down with their ship!