Well I am not as smart as you there Michael but I think Obama did this to save his union brothers. My only question is will liberals dump their Volvo's for GM cars?

Hey I thought the Brits did this back in the 60's? The only good thing there was the Mini, taken over by BMW, quite a car NOW! Remember MG's? I do. Can't buy one now. Triumph? Ditto! I don't think this will work...

But nothing will happen so long as the public sit on their hands, and while they get their info from corporate media. None of these issues will enter the public square if Rachel Maddow has anything to say about it. The only way to get anything serious is to create genuine media, and put the snake oil salesmen posing as newspeople out of business.

It's starting to look like the only way to reform government is to elect a bunch of socialists. Obama has refused to give us the fiscally responsible Clintonomics he promised and has thrown cash at the very robber barons who got us into this. Now he's put a trial baloon out there for efficient cars, which is as timid as it gets. That's the best he can do without public involvement, and even that was ripped apart by George Will on the Snufulufugus Show.

Wake up. There's no way the corporations will allow their assetts to be nationalized while corporate news has such complete control of the public.

Insightful and important. Sincere thanks, Mr. Lind.

Like a kind of Lloyds of London shared risk pool. I'm not sure how that works in the wider scope of corporate activity. I mean, you'd have to dissolve the syndicate upon a fixed date or when any prior condition changes like an acquisition. Or you could just have static companies that generally make 'stuff' like Japanese kaibans or Soviet collectives.

I'm completely opposed to the bailouts. GM should collapse, AIG should collapse, Wall Street should collapse. They can't take Main Street with them despite the empty threats. The trillion$ in TARP funds didn't stop the recession. A trillion more wouldn't either, and a government grab back wouldn't make it worse, either. The taxpayers were fleeced--our money is up the noses of Obama's Wall Street buddies for no good reason.

But, having said that: It's insane that GM is closing so many plants in Michigan. That state already has the highest unemployment in the country. This will make is so much worse. GM should have been forced to cut jobs outside of Michigan, given that they are under control of Washington DC.

THANK YOU THANK YOU I AM SO SICK OF THE OUTDATED STEREOTYPES ABOUT GM!

How 'bout we just shove retired auto workers over a cliff? It would appear that Obama wouldn't mind a bit. THIS stinks, really stinks:

http://blog.buzzflash.com/contributors/1984

that's only in a democracy.

the government has power. that's an oligarchy. if you start writing in english instead of newspeak, many mysteries become clear.

if you are going to write about politics, learn this:

democracy is 'rule by the people'.

And Highway of the Future.

Only government can set a national standard. And the goal, private transportation as efficient as public, is worthy. Plus, the US should control the IP.

I want GM to build a better car with quality equal to if not surpassing the Japanese; even if it means a modest price increase.

Tone down the SUVs, focus more on compact and family size cars.

Crank up the MPG, exceed federal standards by a long shot.

Work with alternative fuels and engines, turn out the hybrids and start researching hydrogen.

Consolidate your brands! Is it really necessary for Chevrolet and GMC to turn out identical vehicals with different names? You're only competing against yourself!

I'll probably think of more later, but start with this.

"Will liberals buy GM cars?"

The only thing keeping me from buying American is quality. If they improve it I will buy it.

The writer wrongly proclaims that taxpayers own GM (similarly AIG, Citi, etc).

Nothing could be more wrong.

Just because Taxpayers money was "donated" to them doesn't mean we own them. The military gets 47% of taxpayers money. Does it mean we "own" them? Did we "vote" to prevent them from going into Iraq?

What sort of misleading statements everyone makes!

The Congress and President ALONE decide where our money goes to. Our duty is to PAY to IRS. Once the money goes to IRS< we have absolutely no say in the matter.

The Govt has donated our money to GM this time. And yes, THEY own GM now.

But we don't. Although we very much like to think we do, the fact is we HAVE NO SAY in GM's running.

Why?

Did we receive shareholder certificates from GM? Vouchers from GM? Can i refuse to pay my share of tax revenue that goes to GM? Hell the IRS will convict me if i refused to pay FULL taxes.

Stop thinking that WE and the Govt are the same.

Its NOT.

We are the voters (aka suckers). The Govt. is for the corporations, by the corporations and of people.

When will people learn that voters!=shareholders

If GM and the other big automakers hadn't been propped up by the Government for the last 30 years (a result of misappropriating revenue toward lobbying and advertising and away from research) they wouldn't be in this "mess" now. That's saying nothing about Wall Street.

Had GM, Ford, and Chrysler been developing and manufacturing vehicles that the public really required and not conjuring the expensive illusion that we all want and need gas guzzling SUVs and giant sedans that lack basic functionality, they'd be in the same boat as the likes of Honda and Toyota (who, despite their own losses remain viable).

In this regard, the unions deserve NONE of the blame - nor do the engineers and designers doing as the shareholders demanded - as it was pure greed and profit margins driving the massive lobbying efforts and self-serving advertising campaigns that drove the whole damned thing into the ground.

I agree with another letter writer. The government mandated restructuring effort must have teeth, and require that they invest substantial amounts of time and money in public transport and more efficient personal/family vehicles. We must ensure that mileage standards and research be of a high priority. Unless that happens, we're on the road to (even greater) ruin.