Comments on: Automakers Seek Their Own Federal Bailout

Detroit Execs, Union Leader Meet With Top Democrats In Congress To Discuss Billions In Aid

[larry969411]

what you people have to understand is auto workers are also taxpayers and Americans. Everyone has there own thoughts on what automobile to buy. But I have put 200 to 300 thousand miles on many America cars.Oh and by the way I voted for that one!

[incog-nito]

As a lifelong conservative I don''t believe that people should expect a handout from the government. Unless of course you''re a big corporation, then it''s OK.

[spadeisspade]

Why don''t all the US autoworkers quit and go on welfare? Taxpayers are paying to keep them in jobs, why not just cut the middleman?

[ramos937]

I own a successful small business. I drive my own paid up 2002 Malibu, am my own secretary, make my own calls and generally do everything, except that which I hired my employees to do, myself.

The auto executives run a failing business, they are driven everywhere by that year''s limos, they have private dining rooms with a private room staff, get annual bonuses ranging in the millions, never go to the plant to pick up a production model to drive themselves, have large entourages, fly company jets, the list goes on and on.

Question(s): Why don''t the excutives cut back on their perks so they can fund the health care internally? Why doesn''t our government insist they cut back on their perks before they get any help from the taxpayer?

[hypnotoad72]

Long term; who will be left to buy anything? Even a previous CEO of Ford mentioned that his products should be affordable by the people who built them... of course, that was Henry Ford and many think his idea of running a business is outdated, socialist, communist, whatever...

http://www.planetpapers.com/Assets/292.php

[kaviz]

I say the gov. tell them to produce a mid size sedan that gets 100 miles to the gallon and then we will give them money to retool production. I bet they could pull out many of their protected pantents and be ready for their handout next week.

[navyjimfl]

this is ridiculous.....what''s next.....bail out for Circuit City, K-Mart......Wendy''s......I think i''ll ask for a bailout....

[lochlan-2009]

Buy GM. It is a guaranteed money maker right now. Don''t sell it until 2011-2012. The investment companies are manipulating the market and trying to scare Joe Investor Smith to sell his stock that''s now down as much as 96% from last October. Buy up their shares (and Joe''s if he''s dumb enough to sell) and sit on ''em. Anyone curious as to why the car companies haven''t sued for the gouged speculator markets that destroyed their profits? No, every person in the world has cut their oil use by 60% in the last three months.

You''re welcome.

[bckrd1]

I have little sympathy for companies who were shortsighted and greedy. The management stubornly ignored the need for high efficiency high mileage vehicles. They lobbied and lobbied against it and now find themselves in a mess of their own making. They could have been way ahead of the game but no they wanted the profits and made substandard products thinking the American people would keep buying it. I haven''''t bought an American vehicle for 23 years because they weren''''t worth a d***. Cheaply constructed and not as reliable as the Japanese vehicles I purchased. My parents were so impressed with my first Honda in 1983 that they have been buying them since 1988. They were die hard American before that. Since it was my hard earned money I wanted something that was worth it and American car makers didn''''t seem to care about what they made or that it would be virtually worthless in less than 5 years. Now they come with hat in hand begging to be saved from their own stupidity. I say no to the bail out but these Automakers need to take care of their obligations to past employees at their expense. I don''t care if the top guy has to sell his own mansion and private jet to do it either as they are the ones who put these companies where they are now and made promises they can''t keep. They need to sacrifice first before asking others to do it.

[random_radar]

People are so greedy. I would be happy with just one billion. I will even accept it in cash or check. Thanks!