Capitol Hill Blue Forums Political Issues Finance, the economy & Economics Bailing out the auto industry - yes or no?

RB - my idea of banning petroleum-powered racing was half tongue-in-cheek; I know it's a big industry but I don't think the auto industry truly focuses on it.

(Still there is a part of me that wants to say "Yeah, we can ban gay marriage, we can try like hell to ban abortion -- but God forbid we ban turning left for 500 miles at high speeds, because that would just be WRONG.")

Again, the focus here isn't on banning, it's how to get the innovation going. It either has to be done through the major automakers (and it looks like that requires a big bailout to keep them afloat), or we let them sink and find another path.

I'm sorry, but muscle cars and racing are not the issue here, unless a way is found to make them part of the solution. This stuff is no more sacred than, well, than hitching posts and sutlers.

There are still farriers in this country - not a lot, but some, where their services are needed - but when cars came on the scene, I doubt anyone said "But what about the blacksmiths? And if we don't shoe horses, we won't need shoes OR nails, and the anvil makers will go out of business, and public stables, and the trickle-down effect will be terrible!"

Really. That's about where we are. Either these companies are dinosaurs and they need to die off, or they are responsible enough for a bailout. Which should it be - and if it's a bailout, what is the bailout to be used for?

Else I think the American auto industry, and perhaps this thread, have run their course.