I don’t know about you, but I’m really concerned about the amount of money being given to various companies to bail them out as a result of their own failures. I’ll fully admit, I don’t understand the complete economic picture, but I’m willing to concede that having these big companies fail could have a significant impact on the general health of the US economy.
So here’s a radical thought pertaining to just one struggling industry, the auto industry. During WWII, the auto industry was effectively forced to change from producing automobiles to military equipment. In these times of serious climate issues, clogged streets, and degrading infrastructure, why not require the bailout money be used by the auto industries to ramp up production that could support alternative transportation? Have them start producing buses, trains, and materials to support a booming rail industry. This would keep the people involved with the auto industry employed and yet help take us towards a brighter future. Wouldn’t this be a better use of our tax dollars?
I feel that the fact that auto industries are now failing is a clear sign that a) the industry was too greedy and focused on producing the wrong type of vehicles and b) the entire infrastructure plan, where a personal automobile is the key to transporation is fundamentally flawed. What will be different the second time around, if these companies are allowed to continue focusing on a model that the market place has clearly determined can’t be supported?