Question ?

[mkemse]

OK, OK, this is just as I have said a question, I am not stating a position on this one, just interested in seeing others thoughts and views, so please don’t attack me just yet, ………… and you know who you are !

I know that we have already discussed the rights and wrongs and moralistic issues associated with governments bailing out the banks, financial institutions and companies such as AIG, however I wanted to open up the debate further, hopefully on a more philosophical level.

Recently the US auto industry went cap in hand to the government seeking its share of the bailouts, irrespective of whether you agree with these bailouts or not, has the economic crisis, and resulting government intervention(s) signaled the end of capitalism as we know it ?

We have seen the nationalization of many of the leading banks. Here in the UK there is a call for the utility companies, water, and more loudly perhaps gas and electric suppliers to be nationalized given the sharp increases in energy prices, there is even support for a re-nationalisation of the transport services.

These are I appreciate unprecedented times, even so who would have predicted that many would see government ownership of these industries as the solution to the crisis, and indeed preferable to them being owned privately.

Many of us witnessed the fall of the Berlin wall, and with it in effect the death of communism, I am guessing that not many watched this from the “wrong side” of the wall so to speak, so few have seen their social and governing systems fail, so I ask, are we now witnessing this in the west.

And if so, if indeed capitalism is dead as we know it, what is a viable alternative ?

Oh I stuck this in politics, because I did not feel it was one for philosophy, if some one in admin wishes to move it please feel free, however please don’t feel a need or desire to present different political parties positions and stances here, not what the question is about……..

I believe what makes the Auto Indddustry a "different" situation, is that it would have a Catastriphic effect on our Economy, by this i simply mean, if a Bank fails there are other Banks, if a Mortage Lender goes under someone will step in
In the Case Of The Auto Industry, the HUGE downside to them going under, is that 1st, the Unemplyment Rate already high would sky rocket through the ceiling
2: Auto Dealers would be forced to colse, no carsx being made no cars to be sold, more unemplyed people
#; Auto Parts DEalers, NAPA, Auto Zone, ect ect, would be forced to close no cars made, no parts needed
So from my view, the Car Indsutry going under would havea HUGE mimmdiate imapact on our Econoy like we have never seen, it wouild be a domino effect, GM, Forsd & Chrysler go under, look at how many "Unbrella INdustries" wouls go under with them
If McDonald's wenr under, and you loved fast Food, you still have Nurger King, Webdy's ect
BUT if the 3 Big Manufacturers go under, I do not bvelieve Toyota, Nissame ect have the ability to make up for all the lost revenue, DEalers, Parts Stores ect that other Busineeses have
So I do not believe that the Governement should bail out everyone, I think in the case of the Big 3 The Governemnt has almost no choice onthis one,
No i do not like the idea as a Taxpayer, buti would prefer to see the Big 3 Bailed Out and survive, the to falture and have all other related Business fail with the them
No Cars made, no dealer or mechnics need or auto parts needed, Toyota and Nissan, VW ect could pick up part of what was gone, but they can't pick up all the jobs lost, all the cars made ect ect

Have if they are bailed out, there better be very, very close oversight to makesure the Big 3 use the money for what they need it for, that their CEO's do notget Milloin Dollar bonyuses ect, if that happens THEN you demand immediate repayment on the loan, and if they do not have the money THEN you let them fail, they would have abusedwha tthey recieivedas help to keep them going, then eed to be watch like a hawk, ou NEVER levave an infant alone, their is always a sitter or adult in their presence, the Big 3 would have to be the same, constant monitorin to makesure they usethe money as they say they will as oppsed to whatthey want to use it for, no intense continuous oversight like a "Car Zar" then NO Bailout, taxpayers have had enought

just my opnion