CNN

Anyone wanting the automakers to fail really don't get it. If they fail then unemployment rises. Guess who the burden falls on to provide benefits for the newly unemployed... the taxpayers.

NO CORPRATE WELFARE! I lost my job back in October and have had absolutely NO LUCK finding another job in my field! And I've been out there EVERYDAY searching! Now my life savings is about to run dry! WHERE'S MY BAILOUT???? I'm not the least bit concerned about some FAT GREEDY CORPERATE CEO AND HIS TOP EXECUTIVES BONUS PACKAGES/ OVERINFLATED SALARY! THEY CAN ALL GO JUMP OFF THE ROOF OF THEIR CORPERATE HEADQUARTERS!!!!!!!

bailout?what about bailling out us,the people! who's money is it eny way?I say give every adult $150.000.and let us buy the cars we want,let us pay off our own house,let the banks come to us.we know whats best for us not some one els.what will we do with the money you say?spend it here.so whats wrong with that!?

So little for the auto makers and so much for Wall Street!

Wall Street was not grilled, did not have to present a plan for the future, complained about any regulations, and has no accountability. Their CEO's continue to hold lavish meetings at ritzy resorts, have the same salaries and will get their usual millions of dollars in bonus money for their "top" people ... the ones who screwed up!

Compared to the Big 3, who are working for $1.00 this coming year, with no other stock options etc, who were grilled (rightfully) who presented a plan, who welcomed Government Oversight and set a date certain to accomplish their goals, Wall Street and the Banks are nothing but a pack of thieves ... they are just sitting on all the money: our money.

I know the GOP loves "trickle down" but if the auto makers are allowed to fail, no one is going to like what trickles down ... let's all just plan on moving right from the deep recession into a real economic Depression.

Wall Street failing never risked 3,000,000 people losing their jobs.

Glad to see that the commonsense is prevailing and that something is being worked out to help the workers of auto industry. It doesn't matter from where the money is coming from – Tarp, DOE, or economic stimulus, etc. What is important is that the companies get help as soon as possible and prevent the bleeding. Any delay in action get matters worse, and it would take more to help them out. The cost had already increased from 25 b to $34 b within 2 wks. That's how the market reacts .... we need some certainty and quick action .... now wishy washy or wobbling.

how about that, the Democrats have the power in Congress and in the White House and they still roll over to the Republican's demands, using money from the fuel efficiency program, the lack of the Big 3's fuel efficiency program helped get them in this mess in the first place. pathetic.

Let's not forget that some of the same polititians criticizing the U.S. auto industry (Shelby from Alabama) are the same ones who gave the foreign transplants billions of are tax dollars to build here! The foreign owned auto companies have already received there bailouts on the front end!! And the U.S auto companies only build those big gas guzzleing SUV'S because that's what you and I wanted when gas was cheap. And as a barrel of oil contiues to drop we will want them again! That's the American way isn't it??

I take it a lot of the folks that make rash judgements on here still live with mommy and daddy at home and listnen to Rush Limbaugh etc. all day and night.That or they are paid company bloggers always looking to slander someone.

DO NOT BAILOUT THESE CROOKS! I don not want my tax dollars going to crooks who can't run a business properly. Let them fail!

@ The Rector

I doubt very much that there will bonuses this year. Or for a long time to come.

I wish the people of Pelosi's district in CA would not re-elect her when she runs again.

Why doesn't the government just buy GM for the $3 billion their stock is worth instead of giving them $17 billion. A fool(ish) government and it's money are soon parted – oh wait, the government is us!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.

This is so much needed. There is so much at stake.

Some people are one check away from being homeless. They are holding on with a thread. This will give autoworkers and others some hope.

Big Three need to improve management, inspection, customer service, and cut down on cost whenever possible. Stop stockpiling and do on time delivery. Producing quality vehicles is the no 1 on the list, do it right the first time so you do not have to do it the second time and not just base it on quantity alone.

Customer service will make you are break you. Improvement is a must. Make a reasonable compensation if the product is not right. As they say if you don't use it you lose it .It is how you treat your customer. Take extra steps to return customers calls to make sure they are satisfied with the vehicle. Some are first time buyers and some are not. CEO need to make themselves available when the customer have taken all the necessary steps to get the vehicle right .As long as the customer money is green don't treat them like they are a nobody because you want them to come back again.

Word of mouth of a good vehicle goes a long way.

They have a long way to go but they can do it.

As my grandparents use to say it is easy to be irresponsible than to be responsible. Being irresponsible does not take a lot of work but being responsible does.

I agree with many people that some of the decisions the Big 3 have made have been poor decisions like building gas guzzlers. However, I do not see how Congress can bailout financial institutions with no conditions set on them and no real results from it and then say no to the Big 3 for a bailout. The auto industry has serious problmes because wages are too low and jobs are being lost and costs continue to rise so it isn't surprising that they are suffering. If it were up to me I would give them conditional money, including taking back money from the fianancial instittions because they have done nothing to help nad have made the problem worse and give money to the big 3 for specific things like wages for each new hire, money for each car developed that gets over 100mpg including added incentives if they give the cars to people, regardless of their income, at a specific percentage of their income so that everyone can han buy from them.

It is absolutely essential that Congress extend loans to the Big 3 auto
industry for the economic health of our country. They are facing a "perfect storm" of the credit crisis, recession, comsumer confidence, etc.
They are the backbone of our manufacuring economy with approximately one in ten jobs tied to this industry. These are family sustaining jobs and if lost, would be nearly impossible to regain.
Our citizens must realize that we are all tied in together in the US economy and our buying habits affect each other's well being.
We all do well when we all do well.

wow, just in time for the holidays too. I was afraid that all those execs wouldn't get their x-mas bonus this year. glad to see the govmnt still looking out for their friends... the corporations.

The flood gates are starting to open. Now "ALL" business's, industries, and individuals should get in line to ask congress for "loans" to bail themselves out.

How do you determine which is worthy of saving?

By the number of jobs an industry and related business contribute to the GDP?

In America it has always been about competition, compete or close up shop. For too long Detroit ignored the competition from foreign car makers. It's time to pay the piper.

"Help may soon be on the way to the struggling U.S. auto industry after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi backed off her opposition to using funds from a fuel-efficiency research program for a bailout, two congressional officials said Friday."

You know, I also think that's the best move. Plus, where is the fuel-efficient program going? Is not like is going anywhere else and I am with the GOP on this one. Plus, my boy is gonna be sworned and maybe his administration will have an idea how they wanna balance and use some funds in the future. Yes, fuel-efficient is important but we are just at the beginning not the end. Steps can be taken to secure the program and be researched but I'm gonna tell you right now that program is gonna take a while, I mean big while. The fact that we are investing is good but for the long term and when the new administration gets in, they can work on it and trust me, not only will conservatives will be satisfied with the "O-line"(Securty team), liberals should also be happy that energy cna make a difference. Maybe not in 2 or 4 or 6 years but it'll definitely leave the train in this administration...

In other words be smart, I shouldv'e just said that, LOL!!

So once this is done.....

Is it Un-American to purchase a toyota,? because wrecks the investment of taxpayer money?

ie.....if I invest in Coca cola then i lose money every time I buy a Pepsi.

Is the new Admin going to mandate all Americans buy a GM or Ford or Chrysler to see this investment pan out?

Does that mean, in reality, the we the people now own the auto industry too? and as consumers we are shackled to their success?

This is bad......all the way around

STOP, WAIT, THINK!!

Invest the billions in the re-training of the states auto workers....

thats what its all about anyway......

Invest in the People of America!!!!!

You're giving a man a fish! (feeding him for a day at the expense of the village}

Please choose to "Teach a man to fish" (investing in a man which benefits him, is family and the village}

Did anyone doubt that they would get the money? This exercise of questions and grilling was nothing more than a front for us commoners. The main question is who is goiing to monitor this hand out? It can't be the Rep. or Dems., as our "leaders" in the two parties have already proved that they are incompenent, even more so than the 3 CEO's. Is the money going to be used to keep the plants going or to finance the retiree's pension/healthcare benefits? You can take this to the bank, this money will be washed down the drain and they will be back for more! The CEO's need to be replaced and so do all our worthless politicians, starting with Barney "Rubble" Frank.

The big three have nothing to offer me. Where have they been spending their r&d money? I want an electric vehicle i can use everyday as a commute vehicle. They have been in the oil companies pockets for so long, now they are paying for it. My next car is going to be an Aptera.

Ah, her re-election campaign contributions finally came in!

Americans are saying 61-39% that they do not want a bailout of Detroit.
So what the heck is Pelosi doing????

Giving money to the Big 3 is like giving drugs to an addict. They won't reform and they'll be back for more.

Why bother to put"Add a comment" under these Saturday posts when they are deleted or ignored completely later?Guess you just want people to waste time looking at your paid ads.Well I wont look at them then and make sure I never buy the products if I do.

NO BAILOUT!!! DON" THROW GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD!!!

Let any or all of the BIG 3 file for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and be forced to reorganize. This is the only way that they can get out of their contracts with the auto dealerships (so they can reduce the number of product lines they carry – GM = Chevy, Pontiac, GMC, Buick, Cadillac, Saturn, etc., Ford = Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, etc.), and reduce their labor costs and their benefit costs.

It's time for them to bit the bullet now – not later.

Bankruptcy is the only responsible answer. Failed companies do that.

12 YEAR TERM LIMIT, FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS!

I personally don't care about the Big 3, but I do care for the workers and the retirees.
What will happen to the retirees retirement and benefits if any of the car companys go bankrupt?

Shut down the plants and send the willing auto workers back to school with government vouchers.

If the Congress wants to help the workers, help them directly, definitely not through their employers. It's been done and failed badly before. Why repeat the same mistake?

let them sink. also put blame for the bail out on Peloski she should have her walking papers.

Accountability is what this issue is about. Tell us where the money is going to go. What percentage will be spent for what action? That is why President – Elect Obama won this campaign, he gave us specifics about his plan for the US, and not " I know how to take care of this problem ". The American people want to know how the car makers are going to efficiently spend the American dollar. On that note I also have an idea about the Economic Stimulus Package for President – Elect Obama – Forget about a stimulus package that gives free money to the American public. From what I've heard most people are going to put the money under their mattress. How will that help the economy ? How about a stimulus rebate to encourage spending. I've spent time thinking about this issue but don't know where to summit my ideas. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hey, my business is failing. Can I get $100,000 or so to help my employees? P-L-E-A-Z-E!? I'm just one of the little folk...

This is the first act OBAMA must do. Is get ride Of PELOSI> This woman is worthless and has been the main reason a Democrat Congress. Has been a not action Democrat led Congress.

Re: Auto Bailout

For years the Japanese carmakers made sub-standard cars but they relied on an American publication called Consumers Reports to find out how they could improve their cars. Do you see any of the foreign car makers asking for multi-billion bailout loans? Why is that the American car makers cannot rely on an American publication to find out what Americans (and Canadians) want in a car – is it arrogance, indifference or just plain stupidity. Why not get Consumers Reports involved in the discussions with the automakers as to what they need to do to sell more cars - certainly wouldn't cost a billion dollars.

Keith in Toronto

Let's pretend that we are the CEOs of the big three for a moment. Why haven't we made any efforts in energy-efficient cars all these years? 1) We can't do anything that may decrease the size of our companies, because the larger we are, the easier it is to get a bailout rescue; Fortunately, our Unions agree with us; 2) New Technologies are beyond their comprehension; 3) We are thrilled that the White House and Congress will now move that 25 billions for technology and more to pay our bills; We will be out of here when we get our options and bonus. That's their problem.

We should give the 25 billions to MIT and DOE national labs to do research on energy efficient cars. Obviously, the big three are not interested in new technology at all. They just kept on asking for more to do nothing about it. Why do we want to keep the same CEOs on the job? Why can't we fire them and hire Toyota to help us straighten this out? It's not the culture difference that makes us fail. It's the corporate mentality that fails them and D.C. continues babysit them to failure. If the bailout is given, the taxpayers must own a big chunk of the companies and vote for its management in all stockholders' meetings. It's easier to waste others' money. We can't depend on anybody else to watch out for our money. We also need to get rid of at least one automaker. Which one should go in your opinion?

Ugh. I wish our elected officials actually understood economics. For everyone who doesn't you can get a general idea by reading Henry Hazlitt's Economics in One Lesson. Economics is fairly common sense. Also I would suggest checking out the youtube video titled "Peter Schiff was right".

Ugh. I wish our elected officials actually understood economics. For everyone who doesn't you can get a general idea by reading Henry Hazlitt's Economics in One Lesson. Economics is fairly common sense. Also I would suggest checking out the youtube video titled "Peter Schiff was right".

The home foreclosure issue remains unsolved – our neighbors, friends and family are losing their homes with no end in sight.
It is hard to imagine that the brightest minds of our country cannot get back to the fundamental foundation of this entire financial meltdown - the housing industry. People are being forced out of their homes or now, walking away. Neighborhoods are devastated and families are seeking shelter in cars they can no longer pay for either. How much would it have cost to bring the loans down to reasonable levels and let everyone stay home? Does anyone know? Would it be more than the $135Billion to AIG (who now wants even more), the $700Billion to banks, the $34Billion to car companies - how much to prop up the ailing manufacturing companies, the cellular companies - how many people will be out on the streets with no homes, no jobs, and no hope? We missed the opportunity to stem the tide that will now drown main street.

We have had enough of our politicians postering, finger pointing and posing in front of the TV cameras, asking the same questions over and over. It is time to make some responsible decisions and get the economy moving.
Does our government follow the same stipulations they are demanding from the auto industry? Hmmmm.

funny. an article as important as this, and i'm the first post. blurb about palin has 506. another example of how the left loves to hate. it's like hating the president has somehow gotten 'old.' and palin is their next victim.

This is a message from ground zero of the economic terrorism that hit the auto industry, Lordstown Ohio: HELP!

My wife bought some ugly sofa and I want a bail out to Nancy. What fool would believe these company leaders are going to work for a dollar , wake up and stop the bail out insanity. Also I heard that Chris Dodd is looking for a car with great terms.

Fuel cells are the key. By insisting that the automakers build fuel cell automobiles and providing loans for the auto companies AND a hydrogen fueling infrastructure, America can take a very bold step to solve our economic AND environmental challenges simultaneously. Having healthy industries while greenhouse gases are choking our environment and economy is folly and counter-productive yet by reinventing the entire industry in one master stroke we can hasten our conversion off an oil based economy, repair our environment, hasten new fuel cell industries, create new technologies and improve our world before its too late. Our economic meltdown is very bad but it will be worse if we fail to take advantage of the opportunity to make real change.

This is great stuff, the same democats who are responsible for the freddy-mac/fannie-mae fiasco are going to fix the auto industry. It will be the typical democratic atitude of throwing away good money into a failing company/program.

WHO IS JOHN GALT?

Stop the drama and lend them the money! This money is more visible and more tangible than the 800B 'given' in the Bailout, with no pre-conditions. Timing has been an enemy to the automakers, because Wallstreet/AIG got there first. But I hope and pray, that Congress has learned some lessons from the huge debacle in November. They must establish a concise paper trail, and accountability of all monies received. They also need a committment from the automakers to repay, by a time frame etched on paper (contract).

This bail out is something that few taxpayers are supporting, but the alternative of losing so many more jobs is even more frightening. After a loss of 533,000 jobs in the month of Nov., how many more can we afford to have laid off?? As citizens who are blessed to have jobs and are still solvent, we are going to have to come up with a means of helping our fellow Americans who are suffering. With the condition of our economy we can't place the entire burden on our government-no matter whose fault it is that we are where we are. I'm 63, and I grew up believing charity begins at home, and now seems the time to prove we are willing to help.

Give the auto industry the money!

Give whoever asks for it the money!

What difference does it make. As long as they are building the cars going to nowhere, cars people won't buy, cars that are no longer practical for many reasons, they won't be sold.

The United States needs to BRING OUR JOBS BACK FROM OVERSEAS.

This can be done by not doing business with ANY company that has representatives overseas (like when you call their customer service) or that manufactures overseas.

CNN–please give us an extensive list of these companies.

Of course the Democrats are going to push the loans to the Big 3. All Pelosi and Reid did a few weeks ago was put on a show. They have no intentions of letting their UAW folks down. I bet they come up with more than $17 billion. Can't let the UAW go down in flames! There would be hell to pay in the next election cycle and the Dems would pay dearly.

bail out, bail out, bail out that is all that I see on T.V now that the elections are over. My question is this,WHY?WHY? WHY. Were is the help for all the people who are being foreclosed on. We re so bombarded by BS and rehetoric that we walk around in a daze all the time. If I cannot pay for a kouse I lose it, If I cannot pay for food I go hungry, If I cannot buy clothes I wear rags, etc etc etc. SO all these companies that HAVE SQUANDERED AND WAISTED all the money they have earned should go bancrupt like so many others. WHY HAS SATURN not asked for help?????
If the big 3 want to be viable again, we need to let them all go broke, restructure in 3 or 4 months come out of bankrupcy and reopen with NO UNIONS. People need to work until they are 65 no matter the time they have put into a job and Big companies need to quit bleeding the little guy.
As far as cars from Europe and Japan, they are better built, have less down time, and run better than any AMERICAN built car.

"Aide Says", "Source Says" – HA – this isn't a news column, it's a gossip column.

The majority of Americans understand that the Big 3 WILL NOT restructure in a sustainable way without a pre-packaged bankruptcy. But Nancy Pelosi and Chris Dodd refuse to understand this. I am very familliar with "Lean Manufacturing & Six Sigma" and the US Dinasours scoffed at Deming back in the 70's and forced him to go to the Japanese. President Obama will have to reign Pelosi and the likes of her in, for she will be his thorn in the flesh to a successful term as president. Not to mention her dismisal of what the American people clearly say about a big three bail-out. If she doesn't get it together then she must go. NO BAIL OUT PRE BANK-O FOR BIG 3