So, with the economic upheaval (and don’t kid yourselves, it’s on both sides of the border) it seems as though the catch phrase of the day is “bailout.” I have great empathy for the workers who will undoubtedly lose their jobs and those auto towns that will suffer greatly if plants have to shutdown, however, I don’t agree with a government “cash infusion” or bailout package for the major auto companies. Many of these auto makers have been struggling for a while and the economy cannot be held entirely to blame. Refusal to drop unpopular brands, over spending, lethargic response to consumer desire for more fuel efficient “greener” vehicles, poorly run franchises, inefficient operations, etc, etc, etc. I also don’t recall getting cash in the mail when business was booming.

There are a myriad of reasons that big companies fail and it usually has something to do with poor management. How are the tax payers responsible for that? I don’t get it. It doesn’t make sense to me that poor practices and an inability to run your business is rewarded by huge bailout packages sweetened with discounted interest rates. If buddy down the street runs his grocery store into the ground, he can’t turn to the government and say “oops, didn’t get it right that time so loan me some money with really cheap interest and I’ll give it another whirl. Maybe I won’t skim or overpay my executives.”

Where is the culpability nowadays? There is no incentive for big business to run efficiently because there seems to be a bailout option around every corner. Credit Card companies are the latest to get in line asking to be bailed out. Correct me if I’m wrong, but those companies know full well that handing out credit is risky, yet they still chose to operate, therefore they assumed that risk. Now they’re magically turning themselves into “banks” so that they will be eligible for a piece of the bailout pie.

Don’t get me wrong, there will need to be some government intervention to correct the shit scene that is the current economy, but how much is enough? It’s turned into a bailout free for all with everyone just assuming that it’s their companies right. Some how they are owed.

Christmas is coming, so can I get a low interest loan to bail myself out of my insatiable shopping addiction? Who do I call for that? Where does the line start?