The news media is making much of the fact they drove to DC for the second appearance before congress. The fact they flew their executive jets the first time is indicative of the problem. They are not forward thinking, and are compeltely out of touch with reality. It's pretty naive to think they have suddenly seen the light, and that all will be well just as soon as they get their hands on 20 or 30 (likely to ultimately be several times that amount) billion dollars of taxpayer money.

The big three have not yet answered the question of why they are unable to structure themselves to profitability. It's not all the fault of the unions, although I do feel they have long-since outlived their usefullness and become a leech on the capitolistic business model; e.g. no one will pay me if I am laid off, so why would the auto unions force management to pay their members when laid off? A recent news item indicated that $2,000 of the retail price is related to union benefits. Management hasn't taken exception to that so assume it's accurate. That means on a $30,000 vehicle Union benefits account for 6 – 7 percent of the price – a lot.

The big three have been ignoring the Japanese model: Increase efficiency and cut costs. Even thought the non-union employees in the Japanese U.S. may have lower salaries and benefits, they still seem to be maintaining a good lifestyle, AND THEIR JOBS ARE RELATIVELY SECURE BECAUSE MANAGEMENT UNDERTSTANDS ECONOMICS. I heard a comment on a news item the other day. When the public stopped buying SUVs because of high fuel costs, the Japanese quickly reconfigured U.S. production from SUVs to smaller cars, while Detroit still struggle with the issue, and are now asking for a taxpayer bailout. A Japanese plant manager commented that because of the level of automation in their plants it took almost no time to make major production changes. compare that to Detroit who shuts down for several weeks to make a model year changeover.

Any government money (really mine and yours) thrown at this problem should be directed at minimizing the impact of losing one or more of the big three, not at propping up a losing venture that will eventually fail or become a government liability. Delaying the inevitable will only buy time for the top executives to arrange a soft landing at the expense of the taxpayers, employees, downstream suppliers, dealers, etc.

http://info.detnews.com/video/index.cfm?id=1189

It also assures efficiency and maximizing value to customers and THE NATIONAL ACCUMLATION OF WEALTH. Subsidies, handouts, bailouts only sustains inefficiences and thereby errodes national wealth.

The representative of the CT national dealer assoc (or similar) just testified that the average wage for dealer employees is $55,000 and that if help doesn't come – it will all go away. This confirms the vast problem associated with the misalignment of compensation vs. value. Question: What in the world does the average employee in a dealership to add value and justify a wage of $55,000? No wonder the dealership network needs to be revised and allow more efficient, cost effective sale and distribution processes (not allowed under current francise laws and another reason for bankruptcy is more likely to ensure long term continuance than a bailout).

It is hard to imagine that all of a sudden the big 3 need money to move forward. The automobile industry has had stiff competition for 30+ years now and should have been retooling, as well as rethinking how to stay competitve.

When our steel companies were filing for bankurptcy I did not hear of any one saying "if they fail it would be the end of them"! It is time for management and union leaders to work together to finally once and for all to "fix" the problems of this industry. Teacher unions rise our taxes evertime they want money and now we have the UAW/big 3 management wanting us to bail them out. The writing on the wall and we are tired. Someone from Congress with any back bone would make the claim "Management and union employees work together or fail".

If you are getting your butt kick by your competition – you better figure out what you are doing wrong and what they are doing right. It's a simple business stratey -competition drives our economy. If this bail out goes through they should never, ever complain again – not about the union holding them hostage or about Toyota, Honda, or KIA beating them. Explain why other auto manufacturers have moved here and are successful? They know they have a advantage and they are not strangled by a union.

This bail out has created an excuse or the environment for companies to justify the lack of leadership. You can't tell the American taxpayers all of sudden we want you to pay for our screw ups!

It's the same with our State Governors wanting money to fix their problems. When you are constantly increasing taxes, the consumer and small business owners end up moving or closing their doors. Look at the states that have high tax rates, New York, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and California what is the problem – high tax rates.

The big 3 have no excuses why they have failed – just look in the mirror.