Sorry for all of the folks whose pensions will be gone if the auto industry tanks. But why should I have to provide the bail out? My pension plan has dropped 30% this year but are these auto workers wiling to give me a couple of bucks to offset my loses. No, I didn't think so. And where were they when my mother's glove sewing job ended after 47 years and her pension was lost? She's a smart woman who saved for years so she can afford to live now. But she doesn't have company paid insurance, no pension. She relies on her savings, Medicare and private insurance. One medication is $400.00 per injection. One per month. So should I cry over the pensions of the auto workers? It's sad and unfortunate but no one bailed out the textile industry or offer them sympathy when told they had no jobs. Who cried when the horse and buggy industry closed or the milk man's routes ended or the furniture factories closed? Were they not as important to the US economy as the auto makers? The world will not collapse with their demise, times will be hard, people will struggle, the CEO's might have to move to smaller houses and buy fewer trinkets but I believe in the future of our country. The strong and willing will make it, just as my mother has, while the whiners and beggars will lie in the dirt moaning of the past.

Every company, city and state that is seeking Govt. financial help, needs to disclose all of their expense and activities. Just like we have to do to get a loan. Anything that is out of line needs to be addresses. Airplanes are a part of doing business effectively. Like, everything else there is abuse. How many states have multi-airplanes. What are the numbers of planes being flown by Fed. agencies? Why does the Pres of U.S. need a 747? Why should Pelosi have a Plane? You can point your finger at private companies, because they are asking for our money; but let's not forget all the money our Repersentative are wasting or Stealing. There is NO accountability of the people we elect. They know, just like the last election 95% will get re-elected no matter what they do. Stevens from Alaska would have been re-elected had he not been convicted until have the election. Barney Frank is still there? As I said; Pelosi (a WASTE) has her own PLANE.

A moment here. Over the many years, GM, Ford and Chrysler have given millions and millions of dollars to fund museums, art exhibits, orchestras, libraries, schools, little leagues, the Scouts, hospitals....on and on. When ever there was a huge disaster, the big three helped out as much as anyone. Look at the funds and equipment each contributed to New York City after 9/11. These companies are asking for a loan..a loan...not a gift. And where is the outrage at the bonuses and salaries paid to FannieMae and Freddie Mac and all the banking/brokerage houses in the USA? Where is the demand for actual oversight for the $800 BILLION earmarked for these financial institution whose practices plunged us into the mess we are in? We all agree that the Big 3 are not perfect. Perhaps. But do we want Toyota instead?

Isn't it time that everyone needs to step back and say Whoa !!!! The spending has been like this for years it is time to stop. Big ceo's need to stop living off of the people who are barely making it. Stop paying them so much or none at all. They need to not live like kings but like the real people in the world

The simple solution to this problem is that there should be a law requiring accounting when any corporation or government agency or government employee or elected official receives taxpayer money and the law should specifically forbid any purchase or practice which is not common within the general public. Ergo, no corporate jet flights, golden parachutes, resort retreats, etc.

Rick Waggoner is the height of arrogance. Ego run amok. I think his departure -- without any of the attendant perks -- should be a precondition of either congress or the administration having any further discussions about a bailout for this horribly mismanaged company.

No one seems to understand--it's not Rick Wagoner or any other exec at GM--it's the people of Michigan whose entire life depends on the auto industry, including the average waitress and garbageman all the way to doctors and teachers. Without the auto industry an already suffering state would be totally devastated. Worse than Katrina did to Louisiana. Please don't punish a whole state and manufacturing in the US for the arrogance of a few executives.

There's hopefully going to be a Congressional hearing on any bail-out. During this inquirey, I'd like to hear the three of 'em respond to the questions that are being asked about their extravagant and arrogant attitudes. I'll bet it'll provide a sobering contrast between the interests of all of those who are and/or will be affected!

Welcome to the Obama world. get ready to see more of this.

It gets old hearing all the same BS about what the US carmakers build or don't build. GM sells more hybrids than Toyota. They have more cars that get 30 mpg than Toyota or Honda or VW or Hyundai. They BUILD the cars, the choices the public make determine what people want; last month the top two vehicles sold in the US were the Ford F150 and the Chevy Silverado. The Camry was next. The golden child/media darling Toyota Prius (Prius sales are down 10% compared to last year at this time)isn't even the best selling car in Toyota's own dealerships, they actually sell more RAV4 SUV's than they do hybrid Prius'. (and more Camrys, more Corollas). And, last point, Toyota's Matrix and Pontiac Vibe are built on the same line at the same time, they both get the exact same mileage...to keep harping on the same argument that the quality isn't there and the choices aren't there is to continue to ignore what people are driving everyday.

With an attitude like this, I hope they do not get one penny from my tax dollars.
Let them go belly up!!!!

I don't think we should bail them out. let them file bankruptcy and go under. The other auto makers like Honda and other companies wil hire the people. It is obvious that they have not learned from 30 years of being bailed out of one ja, after another. let the go under and let a company that want to help Americans and the enviroment take over.

LET THE TRILLION DOLLAR OIL TYCOONS BAIL THEM OUT,AFTER ALL THEY COULDN'T ROB AMERICAN TAXPAYERS WITHOUT THEM

They brought this on years ago with bad service and bad attitude. Get rid of the CEO's and bring in someone from the real world. This is true of all the CEO's that make obsene salaries while the poor worker struggles. In Europe the CEO's are not allowed to make over 28% of the average worker. This is what we need.

I think everyone agrees that the Big 3 have put themselves in a lousy bargaining position, but to keep claiming that they can't build a quality product, blah-blah-blah: Wrong. Look at the ACTUAL numbers, not the old numbers. EVERY car company has had to make cuts in production and projections this year, how come no one is slamming the european car companies? They were just given a 50 billion dollar bailout earlier this week (even with their government assisted health care programs and assistance). Toyota's stock was downgraded by Moody's, Honda and Nissan cut their forecasts for 2009...this is a global situation, not a "Detroit sucks" issue. Ten to fifteen years ago, it was a valid argument that the quality wasn't there, now is just sounds like people jumping on a bandwagon. Do the research...

The U.S. government should only give them money in exchange for stock which has voting power on their board of directors. Then the people on the board should lower the CEO's salary (after all, they haven't been doing a good job) and should take away their perks, if not their jobs.

why is the government bailing those who lied, partied and spend money that was not theirs on failed stocks and bad business investments and get bailed out by the government , because it will benefit the government and help the economy, why are they not in jail for fraud and why are they not being held accountable for the actions. the government wont bail out gm cause it wont benefit them , but they have not thougth of the people that work for gm or the other companies, and those other companies that work for gm and the other companies that work for the companies that work for gm, there are alot more then just big 3 that will go down, you all are a bunch of hippocrites, you propably work for the corporate america where as my family is gm all the way. for the start of gm when is was just dort wheel works to now, gm. they have been some good people that worked for gm and some bad ones, we got the bad ones now, but the government will being doing a lot more aide to the unemployed and foodstamps and some may end up on the streets , we need help and the government head by bush which I think he should be flogged. is not willing to help the workers. shame on america . now every one will be driving foreign and speaking chinesse or japanesse. bush is worried a bout making a lasting mark on his time in office , he should help the failing automakers , or their wont be any one to buy his oil .

To the commenter who said the executives would be mobbed at airline gates so they need privacy? What American could identify a GM, Ford, Chevolet executive? And who would care? That's silliness. Let ALL executives who are receiving bail out money fly commercial airlines. That should be a requirement for bail out money. Senators, Congressman, etc all should be forgoing private planes as well. Our economy is shoddy at best, and a penny saved is a penny earned.

This is the problem in giving bail out money to companies, there is no oversight of how those funds are being spent. That is why AIG had a 345,000 party. FREE money, let's celebrate!

Its about time we let all 3 sink. Toyota not tin cuping because they dont need to. The unions are a big problem. let them all fall. look at other plants. Profitible. Their are onyl a few. Let the CEO's take a long walk off a short pier.

Pose the question to all three, "You could save 1,000 starving peoples lives, or you could continue to have your lavish lifestyle"? Hmmm, WWJD? What would any normal human being do? These guys may have a posh lifestyle now, but eternity is a much longer time. Take Mr. Gates and other generous wealthy people's examples before it's too late. Ask Ebenezer!