Not so many days ago, the auto industry hopped in their 2003 Ford Aerostar and high tailed it to Washington D.C. to reap the benefits of a $14 Billion bailout. They packed light as they were going to need plenty of the minivan’s available rear storage space for the heaps of cash they were going to be bringing back to Detroit. Unfortunately, they forgot to stop for gas (a.k.a., love from the GOP), and were metaphorically forced to pull over to the side of the road when Congress nipped the plan to rescue the U.S.’s big three automakers in the bud.
Both the White House and Congressional Democrats had endorsed the move, but the plan’s demise was ultimately due to the refusal by many Republicans to back a measure that didn’t ensure that the United Auto Workers would accept wage cuts (which is some ways made their salaries resemble that of the U.S. workers toiling in the factories of Japanese carmakers). The bailout failure puts both GM and Chrysler on the brink of collapse despite Lee Iacocca’s fervent pleas to the American public to “buy a Chrysler!” Meanwhile, the current administration continues to seek alternatives to serve as savior to the cash strapped car companies, though President Bush probably just wishes he could close his eyes and wake up on January 20th.
