FOR OUR JEWISH FRIENDS

Wishing all my Jewish friends and readers peace and happiness and a good laugh in the new year!

AUTO BAILOUT IS A LEMON

FORD EDSEL: DEADER THAN HOFFA

WASHINGTON – Citing imminent danger to the national economy, President Bush ordered an emergency bailout of the U.S. auto industry Friday, offering $17.4 billion in rescue loans and demanding tough concessions from the deeply troubled carmakers and their workers. Detroit’s Big Three cheered the action and vowed to rebuild their once-mighty industry, though they acknowledged the road would be anything but smooth as they fight their way back from the brink of bankruptcy.

The autoworkers union complained the deal was too harsh on its members, while Bush’s fellow Republicans in Congress said it was simply bad business to bail out yet another big industry.

Bush, who signed the massive $700 billion rescue for financial institutions only this fall, said he was reluctant to approve yet another government bailout of private business. But he said that allowing the massive auto industry to collapse in the middle of what is already a severe downturn “could send our suffering economy into a deeper and longer recession.”

Speaking at the White House, he also said he didn’t want to “leave the next president to confront the demise of a major American industry in his first days of office.” LINK

CHEVY CORVAIR: UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED. I LIKE THEM ANYWAY. SCREW RALPH NADER.

You know, this really ticks me off. It seems as if we are in the middle of a total national breakdown. Nothing is working correctly anymore. The economy is destroyed and our government is floating along rudderless. It really is breathtaking and scary at the same time.

President Bush has decided to do an END RUN around Congress. Now, ordinarily I would applaud such a move because this Congress is inept beyond all belief. But they voted on this bailout idea and – mostly in response to pressure from American Taxpayers – decided to kill the bill. This is AFTER they approved $700 BILLION in bailout funds for the banks without any input from Taxpayers or really knowing what they were voting for in the first place. That’s our Congress for you.

So now President Bush is circumventing the will of the Congress and by default, the American people. Consequently, these auto companies will not have to face the real changes that they need. This will most likely prolong their eventual demise since no substantial changes will be forthcoming.

So answer me ONE question, as I’m just an average Joe: If the Banks got 700 BILLION+ dollars to stabilize the economy, to make loans and get cash flowing again, WHY THE HELL AREN’T THE AUTO MAKERS GOING TO THESE BANKS FOR THE LOANS? Why doesn’t Congress and the White House send them over to the banks that at this time are wallowing in taxpayer money?

Someone? Anyone?

Can ya help a brother out with this one?

(I have my suspicions, but I’m curious anyway)