Auto Bail Out Debacle

I am not an expert on the in and outs of the auto industry, however I can read and understand what I read and also, I have a certain amount of common sense.  The subject today is whether or not to bail out the Big 3.

I understand – the auto industry is much to blame for their own problems – for one, in their refusal to develop fuel efficient cars, rather, bowing to the greed-ridden oil companies to build cars bigger and more fuel dependent.  The unions, with their demands of more concessions from the industry, share in the problem along with upper management and their perks that bordered on obscene including huge bonuses, golden parachutes and unlimited fringe benefits. I am not in favor of across the board bailouts, however, I believe the experts realize that to let the auto industry collapse will cause a domino effect that will be devastating to our economy. I suggest Exxon provide the bailout money: after all they encouraged the auto makers to make bigger cars and to make them heavy gas guzzlers.

But, although the greed and ignorance of all involved make us very angry, it is not in the country’s best interest at this given time to let the auto industry go belly up.  It means over 30 million jobs will be lost, and thousands of small businesses that provide parts and assistance to the industry will close and those workers may all lose their jobs.  Add this – if each worker has to cut their grocery allowance for their family by 50% supermarkets will lose at least 10 million dollars. Then, factor in all the other normal beneficiaries from a paycheck and the ripple effect is enormous.

So all you decision makers take note:  do the bailout but with very definite guidelines of expectations – of the types of vehicles they must begin to make by a certain time, of the rate of pay for workers, and of a scaled down pay scale for the CEO’s and other management types.

Sometimes bailouts are absolutely necessary for the greater good.  If you did not live during the last depression of the 1930’s you really have no idea how sad and depressing it was. I did live through it and I would not want any provider to experience what my mother went through raising my brother and me. These bailouts are loans – or should be.

I have so much faith in our incoming President, Barack Obama, and those who will be his support team. We will survive this, we must have faith, because these are times of challenge but also times of opportunity. Let us not fail; there is more at stake then most of us realize.  We all are going to have to share in the solutions just as we have shared in the gifts we have been given living in this great country.  Take heart, yes we can!

Well done my son

I needed twenty-four hours to respond to the awakening of a great part of our country. It was too emotional for me to act quickly. That I and others in my age bracket should live long enough to see this actually happen was truly beautiful. This year, this month, this day, this minute will be noted in history around the world as the exact moment the United States made so many wrongs – right. God bless Barack Obama, keep him safe. We need him to guide us and renew our faith and hope in this great country.

To all those who supported him, I would love to wrap my arms around you and give you a big hug. To those of you that did not support him because you truly thought John McCain was the better candidate, I respect your decision. To those of you that know deep down you did not vote for Barack because he was black, I pity you – for that form of hate will only consume you and render you a part of the problem of racism, and not a part of the solution. But even you cannot tarnish this glorious happening and in four years when I am 88, I can say well done my son, well done.