Bailing out the Automotive Companies

Maybe it's me, but I just don't get it. The automobile companies have for decades practiced terrible business methods and now they are pleading to the congress for us to bail them out. Where is the money to help the small businesses? Why would congress even consider this? What are they thinking. In every other area of business, if you make bad business decisions, and your business fails, congress is not there to pull you out. Why do they get a preferential treatment?

I have heard the arguments, "if we let them fail them tens of thousands will be out of work." OK, these same people who may be out of work are the ones contributing to the problems of their company. With the unions constantly negotiating for more money and better benefits that causes these same companies to build inferior cars and charging more money for them. Who do they have to blame, look in the mirror. They can blame themselves. Why does anyone deserve $65000 for putting owners manuals in a glove box? I worked in the automobile industry (non-union) and I understand how they function. What I don't understand is how the "big 3" can in good conscience sell a pickup truck for $40,000! It is a truck for God's sake! Those should be the lowest priced vehicles on the road, and yet they are the most expensive. The problem lies within themselves. Make an affordable vehicle and compete in the market. Or go out of business.

The Japanese and Korean, automakers are not seeking salvation. They build decent cars and charge decent prices. Most are non union and people are waiting in line to work for them and to buy their cars. I really don't get it, and I especially don't get it for Chrysler, or rather Daimler-Chrysler, that is owned by a German auto maker, why would the American people "bail out" a German owned automaker? To save jobs? - lower the pay for the workers, for the executives, and the engineers and sell the cars for affordable prices. It is that simple.

My business is struggling also, yet I m not in line to congress begging for help because of the situation. No I am struggling to make it, but I will make it, and I do not need the American people to bail me out. It is not reasonable to request the tax people to pick up the tab for these companies, while they are still selling over valued vehicles to the same people who are bailing them out. If they want me to put my taxes into their accounts then sell me a car for a discounted price.

The same people who made the business decisions that put them in this situation are the ones now with their hands out, but there are no offers for changing their methods of manufacturing. That is plain common sense. If cost exceed revenue, lower your costs. I would tell the heads of these companies, go to the unions and tell them, we are going to lower your pay and benefits, or shut down. Plain and simple. If the union bosses refuse to negotiate, then shut them down. Move to the south and open another plant that is non-union and go back to work. You can make the cars for less, and still provide a good income to the employees.

I sincerely hope the congress will reconsider this and not waste our money by selectively granting some businesses assistance and ignoring others. Give the money to the small businesses, they are the largest employers in America, they are the one hurting the most.