I, like many was questioning the wisdom of giving a bailout to the auto industry. They have been unresponsive to the needs of the people. And they are management top heavy. In light of how the bailout of the banking industry has gone, I thought doing the same for the big 3 American auto manufactures would be a further waste of taxpayer money. My real concern is that giving the companies money doesn’t do anything to fix the problem. The problem is that people don’t have jobs and can not afford to buy cars. Until we can afford to buy them, building more accomplishes nothing.
However after listening to others, and to the congressional hearings, I have changed my mind. With them calling it a loan. to be repaid, and with controls on how the money is used, I now feel that we have no choice but to give them the loan and keep them from going bankrupt. The money needs to be for American plants, not foreign ones. And it can’t be used to further pad the pockets of management.
Letting them go bankrupt would destroy the last major manufacturing we have left in this country. We depended on them in the past to help our country in times of war. I hope if God forbid we need them for that again they are still there and able. Also bankruptcy would allow them to do away with the UAW union. I am upset that during the hearings it appeared that the union labor was being blamed for the auto manufactures being uncompetitive. It was not that long ago that a assembly line worker was respected and could earn enough to support a family. Now they are though of as excess that needs to be gotten rid of. Rather than blame the worker for fighting to maintain a living wage, perhaps we should look at why our country can no longer afford to pay living wage to the ‘working class’, but somehow find a way to pay management millions per year.
Save the American auto manufactures, but not at the expense of the union line worker. We need manufacturing in this country, and we need workers who are paid not only a living wage, but one that will help them get part of the American dream. How about a bailout that will help the American people buy cars, such as a tax credit for the purchase of a high gas millage American made car?
Scott
