sharky:

I am not unsymathetic regarding the automotive industry, the companies represented by the United Auto Workers have total labor burden costs nearly $40.00 per hour higher than the non-union represented transplants. Such as Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, Hyundai, etc. In an industry suffering the current travails, such a differential is unsustainable. It is way past time to address this differential so as to create a more efficent and effective, cost competitive and therefore, survivable American industry. Until these issues are finally adressed, we should not bail them out. We should only help those willing to help themselves in a lont term sense.

Brian