Now they are wanting a few more billion to bail out Detroit. I am wondering if my business qualifies for bailout because things have been slow this past year. Its really cutting into my field trial budget!

Worse than that.

American Express is now declared a bank so they can dip in the public till.

The auto companyies can be saved without spending taxpayer money.

Just lift all clean air, mileage rules, CAFE, etc., give them 5 years of no taxes, allow them to cancel their union contracts and so forth.

I have heard this before, but I was reminded of it again this afternoon.

Ford is not an auto manufacturer. Ford is a giant health insurance company that just happens to be in the auto business.

That is what is wrong with the auto business.

Too much government.

They were forced to go union closed shop during WWII. After the war, the unions struck struck struck everytime demanding huge pay and fringe benefits.

Management could not shut down to fight them, the stockholders would not stand for it.

So give them what they want and raise the price. That worked until our present crisis.

Then the congress heaped on their backs all of the clean air, EPA, CAFE, etc..

No way they can last under that burden.

CSSJR

Claude,

You are right on. Plus, the democrats will push for the bailout because of being backed by unions during their election.

To hear politicans comment about "it is the big three's fault because they could have avoided this mess because they didn't dive into alternative style vechicles years ago, etc,etc,etc."

Well, raise your hand if you wanted a hybrid even 2 years ago! They built exactly what the consumer wanted. I don't want an electric car now and may never want one, unless forced. I wanted a truck, capable of 4 wheel drive, with an A/C, automatic transmission to boot.

Get ready, they will be bailed out if I had to guess. I should say, they will receive money, may not fix anything.

The big 3 needs to go to bankruptcy court, let a judge decide on their finances and then restructure, as in new contracts with the UAW that are resonable, both current employees and retired, or even better do away with the UAW relationship, some environmental ease concerning penalties would help, this probably would not flush in todays "green" agenda.

Oh well!

Jeffrey:

I don't think it is about saving the automobile manufacturers.

I think it is about saving the unions.

That is why they won't let them go Chapter 11.

Barney Frank said today that the auto companies should be nationalized.

We are done.

What really is upsetting is that all of this bailout stuff was started by Gearge Bush and his appointee, Paulson.

I can't get over the idea that these socialistic programs are being pushed by a Republican president.

It is scary because that means that no one with real power is left to fight it.

There are a few conservative congress citters but they will get steam rolled.

I agree with you Allison! Our business has been slow and what work has been done we are having a hard time collecting on! Sure could use a bail out to get through the holidays!