Many weeks ago there was a lot of discussion on this board about the bailouts of the "Big 3." Feelings were split among many as to whether the moneys would do any good at all. A lot of commentary occurred concerning why the government (prior and current administrations and many congressfolk) were so willing to dump money into failing businesses with no plan as to how they would sell their products. We heard a lot about everything except why businesses exist at all - to sell product or provide customer-desired services.

Well, here we are again, many billions of dollars later, and the "Big 3" are no better off now than they were in 2008. The only difference is the nation is now much deeper in debt.

What is obvious is the cronies of both administrations - those who contributed to the campaign coffers - got "protected" and bailed out. It's sort of like the old Jerry Reed divorce song - they split the gold mine down the middle, and they got the gold, we got the shaft.

So, nothing happened "good" with the bailout, and the gamble made with no hole card got called and busted out. Chapter 11 is now going to occur - which should have been done in the beginning.

And the cars and trucks made by the "Big 3" still haven't been sold and are sitting in inventory, and no plan has happened to get them sold at any price. And if they were sold at any price, then the spare parts business for them would continue, as would the service work and all the other downstream business that happens once the car leaves the lot would still exist

Meanwhile, Toyotas and BMWs and Nissans are still being assembled in the USA (with a still decent US content as part of the vehicle) and sold at a profit.

Seeing as how the auto bailout was such a "success," is it any wonder why there is so much skepticism about the rest of this bailout game?

I would not be surprised to find out that at state functions held within DC, that the Army Band playing the National Anthem has been replaced with videos of Dire Straits performing "Money for Nothing."