The financial industry was a handout. Also people want to think that we should let all of these companies fail but they dont realize that if the auto and financial industries would have failed, this country would be in a decade long depression. Do you really want that? It's a dominoe effect and you would be effected.

I support this Auto Loan, especially if it stops a 2+ million job loss.

I worked for a company that had to declare bankruptcy less than a year after I got hired. I continued working there for more than 2 years before getting layed off. Laying people off was something that management when to great lengths to avoid, but in the end were unable to do. It hurt me financially to lose my job, as it did the others, but now that company is out of bankruptcy and once again profitable. It took several years and a lot of fat cutting, but it worked. What I'm saying is that this bailout is a band aid on a gunshot wound. It's nothing but a short term fix, and we need a long term fix.

Oh and a few monthes ago my dad went to buy a new Ford truck, he picked out what he wanted and worked out an agreement with the dealership, but on the day he was supposed to pick his truck up, they called and said they needed another $600. My dad balked at that, and he was told that without $600 the deal was off, so dad told them to stick it. If Ford is willing to loose $45,000 over a matter of $600, then go crying to Washington, then screw them. They dont deserve free money when people are willing to buy a car and they refuse to sell them.

Oh also if you want a $14 Billion bailout to save jobs. I could give a $100000 loan to 140000 Small Businesses and save just as many if not more jobs.
The biggest lie is the loss of 3 million jobs. At most it would be 200000 short term with a longtime very solvent company not a bandaid on a cut artery with a patient on life support.

We certainly see where the loyalties lay.

Money talks and jobs walk.......

@ charlies nj......I beg to disagree with you on Toyota, Honda, etc making better cars with better resale value. I've driven a Chevy Corvette (now on my 7th one) since 1972 and they hold their value much better than any foreign made car.

Now, I'm not defending the auto worker in MI. MAtter of fact, they DO need to make some concessions. I pay 1/4 of my health care, and I work for the US GOv't. GM employees threatened a strike for having to pay up to $50 a month for health care to help cover the costs. Scuse me? I saw an article that said a lot of the reason companies are shedding money is due to the outrageous cost of health insurance.. It's well documented that the average line worker at GM makes, combining their benefits, nearly $90K. I have 2 college degrees and don't come anywhere close to that with my benefits..

Wait until you see the REAL BILL !

When these people loose their jobs and their retirement pensions.

Who will pay then?

Take down the names of the politicians that voted against this and then send them the BILL !

Never forget!

The UAW and the workers they represent have consessions on the books. Who asked AIG how much it paid in bonuses? Who asked AIG what it pays it's workers hourly? Or how much per hour it cost to pay a salary and benefits. I am guessing it is way more than the 71 dollars an hour it cost the big three to pay an hourly wage and benefits to an employee.

To paraphrase/highjack a very popular bumper sticker in the south....if I would have known it would come to this, I would have let them succeed.

Last week the auto unions said they were willing to come to the table; then yesterday the said we won't talk until the end of this contract. This, rightfully, upset some senators who understand that when your hourly labor cost is about 40-50% higher than your competitor you can't really compete. I am almost to the point of saying "let it fail", almost. The problem is that there are too many innocent bystanders who would end up as collatteral damage and that would be too painful.

Given all of this I hope and PRAY that the UAW is taken to the woodshed when this contract is done, that is if they are still around and their workers still have jobs.

As for Corker and Shelby: There couldn't possibly be two more despicable politicians. Corker was elected only because he ran a purely racist campaign and Shelby smeared a genuine US war hero, claiming that the real hero was a friend of terrorists. What scum.

I would hate to suffer a stroke and become so stupid that I would think that this whole Republican charade was anything other than political posturing – they are just suckering the same people who are eager to blame hard-working, good American citizens for the hard times that the US auto industry is experiencing. It's not that simple, folks. The reality is a little more complex than that. But then, complexity is not exactly a Republican strong suit. Neither is real patriotism.

By the way, I called his office to ask him to please vote for the bridge loan to the Big 3. His staff answered my questions from a script. When I asked who would supply our military with equipment if the Big 3 went under, there was a long pause...then, I'm not sure...then, thanks for your call...then, I was disconnected. So, I'm still not sure why my state re-elects him every time he runs.

New competent management and competitive labor contracts are the only way. American ingenuity from the privet sector will do the rest.
The government can help by participating in the financing during the bankruptcy reorganization. Any other solution will be putting good money after bad and unfair to the US taxpayer.

and why havent the southern people thrown these bums out?

Oh I am sorry.. did I say something that wasn't PC. The Big 3 deserve this for too long they produced second rate cars at first rate prices and now they expect the US tax payer to pick up their check.

Kiss my foot there is no way in hell this bailout or any other bail out should ever happen.

What happened to Capitalism and when did I wake up in the USSR?

Dingle the Poster Boy for TERM LIMITS!

but anyone who has a modicum of business sense knows what a tidal wave this bankruptcy would cause. you think you're safe living in california, arkansas, tennessee, etc? think again!

bankruptcy of the big 3=suppliers going under=dealers going under=factories going under=local communities going under=advertising agencies going under=media planning/buying companies going under=production houses going under,banks that have extended credit to all these business going under=those people losing their jobs, etc etc etc.

those of you who are against this loan (not bailout), you have NO idea how this is going to affect you. think of this moment of reading this as your warning. you may not like the government helping, but it's going to save your future. this is not a political statement – it's reality.

don't say you weren't warned.