Comments on: 'The Big 3' and the 'B' word http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/ Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:00:12 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Char http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482998 Char Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:46:01 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482998 I am 62 years old and I have never seen anything so important and at the same time so many skill, educated people not knowing what to do. If we look at the people in America first, the rest of the answers will be there. 1. Un-employed how do we help the many that have lost their job?. 2. Students in college how can we help them stay in school? 3. People loosing their homes, how do we stop this before it happens? 4. Health care in America, how do we make it better? I am a average person with little knowledge about fixing our economy, but I feel it is important to stop this cycle which had produced a large un-employment rate. There too many people on Capital Hill that do not even know what it is to struggle from day to day. It is hard to understand what it means to not be able to pay your bills if you have money. Have any of the Big 3 men talked to their works, to get a view of what it means to be the one that might not have a job tomorrow? I do not think so, because they would not have arrived in DC in a corp plane. It seems that they spent money on that trip that could have been given to their workers. I do now believe they are in touch with the main issue, that is their workers. I am 62 years old and I have never seen anything so important and at the same time so many skill, educated people not knowing what to do. If we look at the people in America first, the rest of the answers will be there. 1. Un-employed how do we help the many that have lost their job?. 2. Students in college how can we help them stay in school? 3. People loosing their homes, how do we stop this before it happens? 4. Health care in America, how do we make it better? I am a average person with little knowledge about fixing our economy, but I feel it is important to stop this cycle which had produced a large un-employment rate. There too many people on Capital Hill that do not even know what it is to struggle from day to day. It is hard to understand what it means to not be able to pay your bills if you have money. Have any of the Big 3 men talked to their works, to get a view of what it means to be the one that might not have a job tomorrow? I do not think so, because they would not have arrived in DC in a corp plane. It seems that they spent money on that trip that could have been given to their workers. I do now believe they are in touch with the main issue, that is their workers.

]]> By: lauren stephens http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482997 lauren stephens Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:41:50 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482997 hellllo stupid government.... didnt we just bail out the banks with tons of money? so let the banks bail out the auto industry. doh! this is so ridiculous. the car makers and their lending companies (such as ford motor credit and gmac) didnt mind repo'ing YOUR car when YOU were on tough times, why should we care about THEM now? oh boo hoo hoo hellllo stupid government.... didnt we just bail out the banks with tons of money? so let the banks bail out the auto industry. doh! this is so ridiculous.

the car makers and their lending companies (such as ford motor credit and gmac) didnt mind repo'ing YOUR car when YOU were on tough times, why should we care about THEM now?

oh boo hoo hoo

]]> By: Pearl Pfiester http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482971 Pearl Pfiester Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:09:05 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482971 GM made an electric car, EV1, in 1996 because of a mandate in CA for greener emissions. Claiming there’s “no demand”, GM TRASHED the brand new cars and technology despite Americans begging to buy their leased EV1 car. Watch: “Who Killed the Electric Car?” These companies made their bed so they can lay in it. “What comes around, goes around”. Let’s invest in companies who utilize technology instead of hiding it. GM made an electric car, EV1, in 1996 because of a mandate in CA for greener emissions. Claiming there’s “no demand”, GM TRASHED the brand new cars and technology despite Americans begging to buy their leased EV1 car.

Watch: “Who Killed the Electric Car?”

These companies made their bed so they can lay in it. “What comes around, goes around”. Let’s invest in companies who utilize technology instead of hiding it.

]]> By: Paul http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482970 Paul Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:07:31 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482970 Here's my idea for a 3-prong/3-year "bail-out" plan, where every major stakeholder chips in or gets an incentive for putting more skin in the game: 1) The company (management & the unions) make the biggest concessions of all -- 30% reduction in costs, primarily direct & indirect pay, starting immediately & continuing in 2009, 2010, & 2011, to be revisited only in 2012 & partially eased based on profitability targets to be set today. All bonuses & special perks frozen for 3 years, only deferred compensation allowed & tied to profitability of the companies as of 2012 or later. Let the companies concentrate on making better, less expensive, & more fuel-efficient cars. 2) The American consumer has to be given a sizable incentive to buy American -- as counter-intuitive as this may sound in these tough economic times (car sales dropped 30% or 40%, but they're far from 'Zero') -- I’m convinced this beats simple hand-outs or cheap loans to the same companies who got themselves into this mess in the first place or even the government taking an equity stake in failing enterprises. The way it might work is simply giving 3-year loans with 0% interest plus instant cash rebates of, say $1,500 to $3,000, to car buyers (higher for smaller & more fuel-efficient models). So, instead of the Auto companies having to take more losses to continue to fund such incentives, a government-backed program setting aside & channeling money thru the banks already benefiting from government/taxpayer bail-out money would act as an indirect economic stimulus -- something like a tax rebate check that you can only spend at one of the Big 3 car makers. Home owners have been a primary focus of the $700 Billion bank bail-out, so why not extend it to Car owners & help car makers in the process? 3) The government sets up the incentive plan thru the bailed-out banks, as well as the oversight mechanisms necessary to enforce the changes & cost cuts at the Big 3, as well as the strict emissions & fuel-saving targets to be implemented for as long as a single dollar of taxpayers' money makes its way to the auto makers. Obviously, the taxpayer remains a major stakeholder in funding & reaping the future benefits of keeping jobs in the U.S., as well as a healthier & more competitive auto industry for the future. I’m pretty sure economists & financial experts can figure how to pay for these incentives & how to recover taxpayer money, as with the failing banks. Beyond that, let the market take care of the rest and competition ultimately decide who survives. In 2012, if any of the Big 3 is still faltering, tough… then it’s time to pull the plug for good !! Here's my idea for a 3-prong/3-year "bail-out" plan, where every major stakeholder chips in or gets an incentive for putting more skin in the game:

1) The company (management & the unions) make the biggest concessions of all - 30% reduction in costs, primarily direct & indirect pay, starting immediately & continuing in 2009, 2010, & 2011, to be revisited only in 2012 & partially eased based on profitability targets to be set today. All bonuses & special perks frozen for 3 years, only deferred compensation allowed & tied to profitability of the companies as of 2012 or later. Let the companies concentrate on making better, less expensive, & more fuel-efficient cars.

2) The American consumer has to be given a sizable incentive to buy American - as counter-intuitive as this may sound in these tough economic times (car sales dropped 30% or 40%, but they're far from 'Zero') - I’m convinced this beats simple hand-outs or cheap loans to the same companies who got themselves into this mess in the first place or even the government taking an equity stake in failing enterprises. The way it might work is simply giving 3-year loans with 0% interest plus instant cash rebates of, say $1,500 to $3,000, to car buyers (higher for smaller & more fuel-efficient models). So, instead of the Auto companies having to take more losses to continue to fund such incentives, a government-backed program setting aside & channeling money thru the banks already benefiting from government/taxpayer bail-out money would act as an indirect economic stimulus - something like a tax rebate check that you can only spend at one of the Big 3 car makers. Home owners have been a primary focus of the $700 Billion bank bail-out, so why not extend it to Car owners & help car makers in the process?

3) The government sets up the incentive plan thru the bailed-out banks, as well as the oversight mechanisms necessary to enforce the changes & cost cuts at the Big 3, as well as the strict emissions & fuel-saving targets to be implemented for as long as a single dollar of taxpayers' money makes its way to the auto makers. Obviously, the taxpayer remains a major stakeholder in funding & reaping the future benefits of keeping jobs in the U.S., as well as a healthier & more competitive auto industry for the future. I’m pretty sure economists & financial experts can figure how to pay for these incentives & how to recover taxpayer money, as with the failing banks.

Beyond that, let the market take care of the rest and competition ultimately decide who survives. In 2012, if any of the Big 3 is still faltering, tough… then it’s time to pull the plug for good !!

]]> By: Quit Whining and Crying http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482960 Quit Whining and Crying Fri, 05 Dec 2008 07:32:23 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482960 STRIKE THREE, YOUR OUT! When that cold day in hell arrives and the congress bails me out for making poor management and product choices, then you can get bailed out. Otherwise, quit crying and go to Citibank and get a loan like eveybody else has to! STRIKE THREE, YOUR OUT!
When that cold day in hell arrives and the congress bails me out for making poor management and product choices, then you can get bailed out.

Otherwise, quit crying and go to Citibank and get a loan like eveybody else has to!

]]> By: HJC http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482952 HJC Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:48:25 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482952 I would gladly invite you, sir, to work one day on an auto assembly line. It is definitely not as easy as one would think. At the facility that I work at, we build 72 vehicles an hour. That's less than a minute per vehicle...I doubt thst your job is as demanding. Hmm...I've never just pushed a button in my 22 year carreer but I have had a hernis a torn rotator sup and carple tunnel in both wrists....go figure...I have such a cushy job! I would gladly invite you, sir, to work one day on an auto assembly line.
It is definitely not as easy as one would think.
At the facility that I work at, we build 72 vehicles an hour. That's less than a minute per vehicle...I doubt thst your job is as demanding. Hmm...I've never just pushed a button in my 22 year carreer but I have had a hernis a torn rotator sup and carple tunnel in both wrists....go figure...I have such a cushy job!

]]> By: Amy http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482947 Amy Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:06:29 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482947 Excuse me? $65.00 an hour? My husband has been on the assembly line for chrysler for 10 years and I can tell you that he doesn't make even half of that. Does he get paid well? Yes. Does he work hard? Yes. Does he push a button 40 times a day? NO. He puts about 6 parts on the truck he is working on while it is moving every 1 minute and 6 seconds. He is climbing in and out of the truck while he is doing this. His hand are cracked and bloody and his back hurts so badly he can't sit down when he comes home. I'm not asking for pity. Work is hard. Blue collar work is hard. But how DARE you spout your misinformation about what they get paid, because you wrong and what they do while at work, because YOU ARE WRONG! Excuse me? $65.00 an hour? My husband has been on the assembly line for chrysler for 10 years and I can tell you that he doesn't make even half of that. Does he get paid well? Yes. Does he work hard? Yes. Does he push a button 40 times a day? NO. He puts about 6 parts on the truck he is working on while it is moving every 1 minute and 6 seconds. He is climbing in and out of the truck while he is doing this. His hand are cracked and bloody and his back hurts so badly he can't sit down when he comes home. I'm not asking for pity. Work is hard. Blue collar work is hard. But how DARE you spout your misinformation about what they get paid, because you wrong and what they do while at work, because YOU ARE WRONG!

]]> By: sk http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482945 sk Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:01:12 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482945 Hi All I am from a small place in India. But you must be knowing its a global village now and I am eually aware what it means by bankruptcy of "Circuit city" "Lehman" and probable "GM" I think globally, personally (right inside my home), office place everywhere its the same principle applicable. There was an excellent email by a restaurant owner from Texas to Mr Obama. He works 12 hours for 7 days, employees 20 or so people, has a debt that he can pay in cash. (Not from bank) in a day. Works out a lot for his health so is not dependent on the health care. happy life I guess. This is applicable to me and Mr CEO (all 3 of them) First step is to get read of their private jets. Cool. Does not help. Next step is to get read of OIL itself. (They have to work on that and close that) There is extra talent available than required for this to happen. Hi All
I am from a small place in India. But you must be knowing its a global village now and I am eually aware what it means by bankruptcy of "Circuit city" "Lehman" and probable "GM"
I think globally, personally (right inside my home), office place everywhere its the same principle applicable. There was an excellent email by a restaurant owner from Texas to Mr Obama. He works 12 hours for 7 days, employees 20 or so people, has a debt that he can pay in cash. (Not from bank) in a day. Works out a lot for his health so is not dependent on the health care. happy life I guess.
This is applicable to me and Mr CEO (all 3 of them)
First step is to get read of their private jets. Cool. Does not help. Next step is to get read of OIL itself. (They have to work on that and close that) There is extra talent available than required for this to happen.

]]> By: Tracy http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482902 Tracy Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:32:40 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482902 How dare the big 3 tell the government they shouldn't have bailed out the banks and then expect themselves to be bailed out. This whole bailout plan will go down in history as the WORST thing ever done by a government. I just hope we become part of Canada when the USA goes bankrupt itself. I'm disgusted that I have to pay because a bunch of people got/made bad loans and now can't bail themselves out. The banks should have been allowed to fail to. Let the chaff fall from the wheat. How dare the big 3 tell the government they shouldn't have bailed out the banks and then expect themselves to be bailed out. This whole bailout plan will go down in history as the WORST thing ever done by a government. I just hope we become part of Canada when the USA goes bankrupt itself. I'm disgusted that I have to pay because a bunch of people got/made bad loans and now can't bail themselves out. The banks should have been allowed to fail to. Let the chaff fall from the wheat.

]]> By: Ken T http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482901 Ken T Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:31:46 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482901 The amounts of money here just takes my breath away..AIG 144 billion dollors? 34 billion? 300 billion..whats next?? Ill tell you..every state in the usa has applyed for BILLIONS!!!! California wants 300 billion.Keep in mind,the movie industry just got a 50 billion christmas present just so they could get the vots for the 700 billion..I read something the other day. I couldnt even stomic reading the artical..700 TRILLION!!!!.. AND NOT ONE PENNY going to tax payers, home owners trying to save there homes....we get to loose our houses,jopbs,and eat out of garbage can!!! Aparntly has long has the big business on wall street are taken care of......(oh...by the wasy theones that created this mess in the first place.) GM needs to go down in flames and take there union with them..I dont know how rick wagner got to be the ceo..FIRE him now!!!No bonus's.. and get some one in there who has the BALLS to say no to the union.. The amounts of money here just takes my breath away..AIG 144 billion dollors? 34 billion? 300 billion..whats next?? Ill tell you..every state in the usa has applyed for BILLIONS!!!! California wants 300 billion.Keep in mind,the movie industry just got a 50 billion christmas present just so they could get the vots for the 700 billion..I read something the other day. I couldnt even stomic reading the artical..700 TRILLION!!!!.. AND NOT ONE PENNY going to tax payers, home owners trying to save there homes....we get to loose our houses,jopbs,and eat out of garbage can!!! Aparntly has long has the big business on wall street are taken care of......(oh...by the wasy theones that created this mess in the first place.)

GM needs to go down in flames and take there union with them..I dont know how rick wagner got to be the ceo..FIRE him now!!!No bonus's.. and get some one in there who has the BALLS to say no to the union..

]]> By: 007panda http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482897 007panda Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:21:41 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482897 Whatever the result is, I wonder why CEO of Big 3 have never tried to cut their annual income to a dollar by themselves before congress man asked? Whatever the result is, I wonder why CEO of Big 3 have never tried to
cut their annual income to a dollar by themselves before congress man asked?

]]> By: jaw http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482896 jaw Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:19:19 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482896 One simple question that everyone that replied should ask themselves: If you stood before congress as an individual, with the same lack-of-game-plan as the B3 did, and you were in as much of a messs personally as they are heading to, how could you justify accepting the $ without a pay-back plan or budget, and how could you convince them to bail you out, with other taxpayers $? No brainer, let 'em sink, privatize, give current employees the opportunity to be Hired under a new structure (not re-hired), and quit paying someone $70 per hour to watch a robot assemble a car. If anyone in this country deserves this kind of compensation, it is our military, as it is what has defended the opportunity for freedom and free enterprise, not handouts. One simple question that everyone that replied should ask themselves: If you stood before congress as an individual, with the same lack-of-game-plan as the B3 did, and you were in as much of a messs personally as they are heading to, how could you justify accepting the $ without a pay-back plan or budget, and how could you convince them to bail you out, with other taxpayers $? No brainer, let 'em sink, privatize, give current employees the opportunity to be Hired under a new structure (not re-hired), and quit paying someone $70 per hour to watch a robot assemble a car. If anyone in this country deserves this kind of compensation, it is our military, as it is what has defended the opportunity for freedom and free enterprise, not handouts.

]]> By: Lee http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482895 Lee Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:04:47 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482895 I understand the fear of job loss, but these companies are already making us lose jobs. As many have said, most of their plants are overseas. This country's economy and business has always been based on supply, demand, and how much corporate america could fleece you before you caught on. Back in the day steel was big - they owned everything and everyone, but the government at one point broke them down into littler companies b/c of monopoly issues. When companies have failed in the past nobody stepped into rescue them. They left a vacuum for the next up-and-comer. Corporate america has bought and swindled us good this time all the way from the little guy to the government. They've lobbied well. And now they're fleecing us still. That's what these bailouts are - more fleecing. Pouring money into companies that refuse to change. How much money they spend on ridiculous bonuses, bad advertising, and relocation of manufacturing to foreign nations. Last time I had checked the US was a CAPITALIST country. Which means you try - and if you fail... well you fail and you better try again or be poor. If the government keeps with these bailouts we become SOCIALIST or COMMUNIST which last time I read the history books worked out really well for the USSR This is a joke. People have been losing jobs and getting more poor every day b/c of these greedy corporate buggers and now they have the gall to ask for the help of those they so quickly fleeced and left for broke. It makes me honestly sick! I understand the fear of job loss, but these companies are already making us lose jobs. As many have said, most of their plants are overseas. This country's economy and business has always been based on supply, demand, and how much corporate america could fleece you before you caught on. Back in the day steel was big – they owned everything and everyone, but the government at one point broke them down into littler companies b/c of monopoly issues. When companies have failed in the past nobody stepped into rescue them. They left a vacuum for the next up-and-comer. Corporate america has bought and swindled us good this time all the way from the little guy to the government. They've lobbied well. And now they're fleecing us still. That's what these bailouts are – more fleecing. Pouring money into companies that refuse to change. How much money they spend on ridiculous bonuses, bad advertising, and relocation of manufacturing to foreign nations.

Last time I had checked the US was a CAPITALIST country. Which means you try – and if you fail... well you fail and you better try again or be poor. If the government keeps with these bailouts we become SOCIALIST or COMMUNIST which last time I read the history books worked out really well for the USSR

This is a joke. People have been losing jobs and getting more poor every day b/c of these greedy corporate buggers and now they have the gall to ask for the help of those they so quickly fleeced and left for broke. It makes me honestly sick!

]]> By: Lou http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482890 Lou Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:57:36 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482890 Why would anyone want to buy a car from a company that is in the process of failing? How dumb does the Big 3 think the American public is? Why would anyone want to buy a car from a company that is in the process of failing?

How dumb does the Big 3 think the American public is?

]]> By: Rob http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482889 Rob Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:53:51 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482889 Here's another B-word. Bankruptcy. I'm not talking about chapter 7. Chapter 11 has not been explored with any seriousness. Chapter 11 would force the needed changes in the Big 3 and could prevent them from defaulting on this government "loan" due to poor strategies and unreasonable contracts with the Union. I just don't understand how we continue to reward poor leadership with benefits that well managed companies will never see. Why doesn't Tesla Motors get some of this action? They too are an American car manufacturer. Oh! That's right... they have good management with a sound business model. I guess that means we need to penalize them! Here's another B-word.

Bankruptcy.

I'm not talking about chapter 7. Chapter 11 has not been explored with any seriousness. Chapter 11 would force the needed changes in the Big 3 and could prevent them from defaulting on this government "loan" due to poor strategies and unreasonable contracts with the Union.

I just don't understand how we continue to reward poor leadership with benefits that well managed companies will never see. Why doesn't Tesla Motors get some of this action? They too are an American car manufacturer.

Oh! That's right... they have good management with a sound business model. I guess that means we need to penalize them!

]]> By: Dave http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482882 Dave Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:42:42 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482882 This is quite a connundrum. So many jobs are related to the auto industry that if they went under, just one of them even, the fall out would be tremendous, or at least that is a worse case scenario on one side. On the other they get their BILLIONS, with a B to stay afloat and then somehow they change what they have been unable to change for the past 2-3 years at least. Are we that gullable? Can congress not demand a change in leadership or perhaps have a 3rd party help or consult in their change? These same old out of touch millionaires running the company cannot cause change, they are part of the problem, not a solution. I agree with some of the posters, help them during their bankruptcy/reorganization as needed through tax breaks for auto taxes, have the government control gas prices (yes I think they are capable of having substantial influence in this - see $4.00/gallon 2 months ago to $1.48 today) to help promote auto usage, just what the environment needs. No to the bailout money. It is ludicrous money has gone to banks who have turned around and bought other troubled banks, that is not what the bailout money was intended for. I am afraid this is just another example of our government demonstrating an inability to manage our tax money, the proverbial $200 hammer, if you will. The banks I reference above should be heavily penalized as should AIG for spending recklessly after being provided "help" money. We are saps and the rest of the world is laughing at us every day. This is quite a connundrum. So many jobs are related to the auto industry that if they went under, just one of them even, the fall out would be tremendous, or at least that is a worse case scenario on one side. On the other they get their BILLIONS, with a B to stay afloat and then somehow they change what they have been unable to change for the past 2-3 years at least. Are we that gullable? Can congress not demand a change in leadership or perhaps have a 3rd party help or consult in their change? These same old out of touch millionaires running the company cannot cause change, they are part of the problem, not a solution.

I agree with some of the posters, help them during their bankruptcy/reorganization as needed through tax breaks for auto taxes, have the government control gas prices (yes I think they are capable of having substantial influence in this – see $4.00/gallon 2 months ago to $1.48 today) to help promote auto usage, just what the environment needs. No to the bailout money. It is ludicrous money has gone to banks who have turned around and bought other troubled banks, that is not what the bailout money was intended for.

I am afraid this is just another example of our government demonstrating an inability to manage our tax money, the proverbial $200 hammer, if you will. The banks I reference above should be heavily penalized as should AIG for spending recklessly after being provided "help" money.

We are saps and the rest of the world is laughing at us every day.

]]> By: Jeff Reed http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482881 Jeff Reed Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:41:29 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482881 I think the auto unions which have fleeced the comman man for money for decades should dip in their coffers and help bail out the Automakers! I think the auto unions which have fleeced the comman man for money for decades should dip in their coffers and help bail out the Automakers!

]]> By: Jack http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482879 Jack Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:39:08 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482879 Let's see .. Last week they asked for 25 billion. This week they're asking for 34 billion. Will they need 43 billion next week? Sounds like my son knows I'm a pushover father and knows he'll get what ever he asks for.so he ups the ante. I should learn to be a better father and say "No" so I can teach my son a lesson about greed. I want him to be more responsible now so his future will be brighter. I know he'll do and say anything now to get his money, but I must be strong and put my foot down now and say "No" or not only will he never learn but I'll never be a good father. Let's see .. Last week they asked for 25 billion. This week they're asking for 34 billion. Will they need 43 billion next week? Sounds like my son knows I'm a pushover father and knows he'll get what ever he asks for.so he ups the ante. I should learn to be a better father and say "No" so I can teach my son a lesson about greed. I want him to be more responsible now so his future will be brighter. I know he'll do and say anything now to get his money, but I must be strong and put my foot down now and say "No" or not only will he never learn but I'll never be a good father.

]]> By: Anand http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482880 Anand Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:39:08 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482880 The interesting part of the automakers bailout was accusing them of making cars that people weren't buying. Is that really true. Last year about 16 million cars were sold and WE people were gladly buying SUVs and Hummers. And why were the automakers being accused? People are as much responsible for global warming, environment and energy saving as automakers. In the interest of disclosure, it'd be really interesting to have all the members of Congress disclose what vehicles they own. So also the holier than thou media and news reporters, the government agencies. No one seems have the moral courage nor care for to earn it with being responsible and therefore not in any position to cast aspersions. That unfortunately is the state of affairs with our society. And in the interest of disclosure myself, we own a Toyota Prius for 3 years and a 3 series BMW and our house is 99% CFL lighting, we do recycle and conserve water and donate a whole bunch of clothes to Salvation Army. God save America. The interesting part of the automakers bailout was accusing them of making cars that people weren't buying. Is that really true. Last year about 16 million cars were sold and WE people were gladly buying SUVs and Hummers. And why were the automakers being accused? People are as much responsible for global warming, environment and energy saving as automakers.

In the interest of disclosure, it'd be really interesting to have all the members of Congress disclose what vehicles they own. So also the holier than thou media and news reporters, the government agencies.

No one seems have the moral courage nor care for to earn it with being responsible and therefore not in any position to cast aspersions.

That unfortunately is the state of affairs with our society. And in the interest of disclosure myself, we own a Toyota Prius for 3 years and a 3 series BMW and our house is 99% CFL lighting, we do recycle and conserve water and donate a whole bunch of clothes to Salvation Army.

God save America.

]]> By: Victor Andrews http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/04/the-big-3-1-and-the-b-word/comment-page-3/#comment-482878 Victor Andrews Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:38:02 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=18183#comment-482878 The bailout is a bad idea. If no private sources will loan you money based on your "plan" then sell additional stock to raise funds. Or sell assets. Or bring in partners. Or consolidate. Or fail. But the American public needs to accept responsibility for the bailout when it comes. I will not vote for anyone who has supported any of the bailouts. Period. Never. Hopefully the rest of the voting public will remember and do the same. The bailout is a bad idea. If no private sources will loan you money based on your "plan" then sell additional stock to raise funds. Or sell assets. Or bring in partners. Or consolidate.

Or fail.

But the American public needs to accept responsibility for the bailout when it comes. I will not vote for anyone who has supported any of the bailouts. Period. Never. Hopefully the rest of the voting public will remember and do the same.

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