Heavy industry left this country in the 1970’s primarily because they could not compete in that market and for the same reasons: Top-heavy management, unreasonable union contracts and a sort of nationalized arrogance left over from World War II. Other providers did the same job, did it cheaper and in most cases better. Democrats want to save these companies for all the wrong reasons — they represent a huge voting bloc. The Republicans view them as expendable. They would rather focus on the financial institutions. Hell, that’s just good business. They’ll be back at the fund raisers no matter what and the failure of the auto industry will be a ‘Democratic problem.’

Best overall solution? Send GM to bankruptcy court. They won’t be able pick a color for the bathrooms in five year, much less build a decent car.. With the union contracts broken, see if any part is viable and dismantle the rest. Some divisions might be useful to Chrysler. Leave Ford alone, but with the option of some loan guarantees. They show signs of intelligence. Sell Volvo, Saab, Jaguar and Land Rover to their previous owners. Or maybe manufacture them in Zimbabwe. Those people really need something to occupy their time. Finally, get over this God-awful anghst about American tradition. I almost cried when Massey-Ferguson stopped building tractors. Well, I bought a Kubota. You know what? The corn didn’t give a shit. We move on with what works.

Andy Juell

You bring up a very good point; it’s possible that the American tradition of the auto industry may be so intertwined in the veins of America that its downfall will spell the whole country’s.

I don’t think anyone really knows for sure what will happen (I know I don’t; journalists aren’t given a standard-issue crystal ball). I hope that if they do get the bailout, it will be the first step in a litany of changes. Even though they are steeped in American tradition, their traditions aren’t perfect.

And if they don’t get the bailout, I hope either A) that’s incentive enough to make the necessary drastic changes, or B) they go out of business to give way to new (hopefully American) companies that will fill the niche.

And so you know: I don’t hate America, and I don’t hate you.

- Jason.