Detroit's Medium Two (as exemplified by Dingle, their beholden intervenor) have been so retrograde and ostrich-like for so long that they are as morally bankrupt as the now departing W administration.  Their actions have been directly counter to the short and long term interests of their workers and of the American People who would love to buy domestic built sustainable vehicles-- as well as to the interests of the health of our planet.  

Case in point, remember the Focus Hybrid (1999)-- never produced for sale while Honda and Toyota sold hundreds of thousands of their awesome hybrids.  A green roof on a pickup truck factory does not a sustainable corporation make (Ford).  So much potential during the 90's was squandered by GM and Ford in the last decade.

For their pure ineptitude, fiddling and resisting, the management of these corporations needs a wholesale ticket to the door.  Any "bailout" must 1.) rescue the workers and 2.) convert the assets into a new automaking enterprise based solidly on a green, forward looking business model of R&D and decisionmaking for eco-sustainability.  The Volt concept must be translated into a fleet of hybrids like Toyota's coming offerings.  These companies painted themselves into the corner they now find themselves in.

My family has bought only hybrids since 2000, because it's no time to sit and wait any longer.  

Moving toward sustainability with hopefulness, one revolution at a time.

Why not use the bail-out to accomplish our energy independence, transportation and green jobs goals?  Turn them into transportation companies, not car companies.  They're great at mass producing things.  Start with plug-in hybrids and high mileage vehicles, but transition to passenger train cars and engines, light rail cars, bullet train systems, etc.  They all have wheels, suspension and traction systems. Why limit their product base?

nplab