...those that are proposing some form of government support are far more interested in the serious and long-term damage to our economy that would result from the failure of the auto companies than a desire to nationalize a company or an industry.

Unfortunately, I hold little hope that the parties at interest in the auto situation will ever reach some sort of agreement on a new plan that would justify a government investment. Steve is right that if they don't, they should be permitted to suffer the same fate as the dinosaurs.

The problem is that the death of the dinosaurs will cost all of the rest of us a significant amount in both dollars as well as a long-term impact on our individual way of life. An increase in the unemployment rate to close to 10%, a severe deepenoing of the recession, a further collapse of the stock market, maybe even deflation are projected to result from the failure of the auto companies.

Personally, I would choose for that not to happen to me. But if that means that we would be required to simply give money to these companies with no strings, I'm against that. If there is a way to impose permanent and fundamental change to fix the ills of this industry, then I'd be in favor of some sort of bridge loan. But again, I don't think that's going to happen and I believe that the rest of us will suffer serious personal financial damage as the result of the incalcitrance of people like the company managements, the UAW, etc.