However, the capitalist in me is a bit ticked off that the government bailout is even being considered. Oddly, taking a page from the old-style Republican economics (where handouts are a no-no) it doesn't seem fair that companies like Toyota, Honda and even KIA and Suzuki don't have the chance to parlay their hard work into a larger advantage. For years now, not only did these companies make much better products but they also did so with a feasible business plan that did not guarantee executives outrageous paychecks unless of course, the company succeeded as a whole. The very nature of capitalism implies an economic Darwinism that says if you cannot make the grade, you'll be eliminated.
Ford, GM and Dodge have offered sub-standard vehicles for well over a decade--if you don't believe me, check out Consumer Reports. In recent years, vehicles have improved because they HAVE to (and admittedly, some of the lines, such as the F series of trucks have always performed adequately if not exceptionally). But there's no doubt the industry leaders are the Japanese companies, at least as far as consumer vehicles are concerned.
It must be maddening to be a worker in a large company where the executives make your yearly salary in about 2 hours. Beyond irresponsible business ethics, it points to the greed that has fueled our economy for far too long. The only way to survive is to acquiesce to the global market and stop being so insular--the days of America being the only player on the global stage are long gone.
However this is resolved, I hope the people whose livelihoods are dependent on the outcome are able to keep their jobs and find some way to prosper through this mess. It was really only a matter of time. In the meantime, the fat cats who are putting their companies through the wringer should face some kind of accountability, though as we know, the OTHER aspect of capitalism is that wealth of a certain degree is exempt from such penalties. Either way it's a difficult scenario and the sentiment that government should bail out the people first, businesses second seems to be the best way to allocate funds for the people, by the people-- not for the privileged, by the people.
