Thoughts By Trail

(CBS/AP) There’s been a mixed reaction so far to President Bush’s promise of $17.4 billion in loans to troubled U.S. automakers.

Congressional Republicans don’t like the idea of using money from the $700 billion bailout program intended for banks and other financial firms, and the union representing autoworkers says this is too harsh on its members.

I was debating over the past few weeks  whether to right about the huge $17.4 billion bailout for the auto industry.  I also have a mixed feelings about bailing them out.  The economic state of America is so screwed right now do we really want to use $17.4 billion to ensure that we still will have a new car made every year?  I’ve asked my self that question over and over again,  and I’ve come to realize that it wasn’t the fact that they are asking for help.  It’s about how many people will lose their jobs if they didn’t  received the help.  I’m also concerned with how the funds will be managed once the funds are received.  It’s no  surprise that bad management practices had a hand in the downfall of this industry.

To be honest everyone I wasn’t to sure if the auto world should be bailout.  I personally don’t care about having a new car made every year.  I’ve never been one that felt like I must have the latest model with all the trimmings.  It’s more to like then that.  So for a while it didn’t matter to me if Bush had decided not to help.  Their is so much going wrong with our economy today it has been very hard for me to  be on anyone’s side.  My first concern was with thousands of hard working people losing their homes everyday.  That can easily be anyone of us and we have no one to help or bail us out.  I’m still waiting to hear a solid plan on that.  And then that ’s when it changed for me about the bailout for the auto industry.  It’s not about the new cars it’s about the thousands of people working to build those cars that I cared about.  Making sure they can keep their house, cars, and medical insurance for their families.  The only thing that ’s keeping my hope alive with all of this madness with the economy is that our country  is still the greatest country in the world.  The United States of America.   For more on this article view the link below.

Mixed Views On $17.4 Billion Auto Bailout, As Supporters, Critics Debate Bush’s Plan For Loans To GM & Chrysler, Canada Steps Up With Package Of Its Own - CBS News.