Automotive Bailout

In case you have not heard yet, Chrysler, Ford, and GM want the government to spend upwards of 15 BILLION dollars to bail out their companies (above: CEO's from each of the companies appear before congress to beg for funds). How are we letting this happen?

Now, as a fair pre-argument point, I know that many people (tens of thousands) could stand to lose their jobs if the bailout does not got through. But my questions is this: whose fault is that? I think the blame should lie at the feet of those running the car companies. These executives make millions a year and have nothing to show for their work. If I were to run a business in to the ground, and be forced to shut down, do you think the government would come to my aid. NOT A CHANCE! I would have to go find another line of work. End of story. However, these CEO's are asking to use my money (read tax dollars) to help their business. I have no stock in their companies. I drive a car made by one of them, but it is paid for. That's right. I don't have the money to buy something I don't buy it. What an odd idea.

I know credit is essential in the business world. I also know that sometimes things must work on a pay later basis. However, the fundamentals of economics do not change. If you spend more than you bring in you go broke. And while the guns are hot, lets fire a few shots at the unions that support these workers. They have over-inflated the worth of their workers to the point where many companies are unable to compete in a global market without government help. Thank you teamsters! Thanks for screwing up our whole automotive industry.

To close, I would like to make one final point. We have GOT to start taking responsibility. If we bail out these auto makers, we are setting a precedent for generations to come. We are essentially saying, "Screw your business up, and the government will bail you out too!" How does this teach responsible business? How does this show the rest of the world our system works? Answer: it doesn't. We have to be responsible, and it starts with me!