First Blog

This is my first blog, so what to blog about? Something personal? Something professional? Nope. I've always been told, "there are two things you don't talk about with your friends: religion and politics", because you don't want to offend a friend over a difference of opinion. I'm going to start out with something somewhat political related. So here's your chance, if you don't wanna hear (read) it... get out!

I've read a lot of headlines in the news lately relating to the proposed (and often altered) big-three bailout. I'm disgusted that this situation has gotten this far. Any other business (banking industry excluded, they're in the same boat) that was horribly mismanaged, resulting in huge deficits, and later potential bankruptcy, would be allowed to go out of business - no questions asked. So why them? Well, I see both sides of the argument, and I don't think that there's a correct answer here.

On the "give them the bailout" side

• The number of jobs lost by *not* bailing them out would be HUGE. These employees help to fuel the economy, as the peons tend to spend a larger portion of their paycheck each week

On the don't give them the bailout side

• Why should I have to pay because Big 3 can't manage their business? How many small business owners are able to run their businesses with a much smaller revenue?
• They're just going to come back in 3-6 months and ask for more (if you give a mouse a cookie...)

There are numerous other arguments each way, and I'm sure we've all heard them all, so why draw it out? They've scewed up, and they're admiting it... sorta. So what do I have to contribute to the conversation that's been beaten to death?

Where are the oil companies through all of this? They've had record high profits for how long? While gas prices are plummeting, I'm sure that their profits aren't. Doesn't their success hinge in part upon what happens to the Big 3? Why can't they float them a loan? Has anyone even considered that with the money that they're asking for, we could easily "fix" social security?

I think no matter what happens, it's a lose-lose situation, and am just irritated that it's come to this. If a bailout is done, every cent should have to be paid back once they right themselves, the Unions should have to restructure their agreements, (and maybe even take some pay cuts- it's a tough world!), and a lot of qualifiers should be put on this agreement (including NO more golden paratutes)