No bailout of the auto industry

This is a letter I sent out to my Representative and Congress ladies. Never done it before. This is probably the most significant political thing I've ever done.

I think the letter leave LOTS to be desired, but I'm sick and tired of being on the sidelines. Gotta get off my rear and start somewhere.

If you read this and feel motivated either way - write your legislators. Google write your congress or write your senator to find 'em. State your opinion!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rep/Congress person,

As a citizen, I want to express my concern over the consideration of a bailout package for the auto industry. Please vote AGAINST any proposed bailout package for the auto industry.

1) All levels of the government representing me have FAILED to deal with the banking industry's problems. I can't imagine any funds allocated to the auto industry would be used responsibly or wisely. As far as I'm concerned, both the current legislative and executive branches of the government have earned my vote of "no confidence" when it comes to financial matters. Business, not government, should be left to resolve this, very unfortunate, situation.

2) I believe the US auto industry has failed to be a willing partner with consumers and the government in the areas of:
* air quality
* fuel consumption standards
* alternative energy options
* others I probably couldn't know about

3) My high school economics class taught me that when companies fail their assets don't simply disappear. The "big 3"'s properties, technologies, dollars, research and other assets will evolve into new relationships, be acquired by competitors and move into other industries.

4) The bloat of "big 3" needs to be curbed. It's time for that bubble to pop. This bloat can also be extended to those immediately around the big 3: unions, suppliers, subsidiaries, etc.

I am not one of the people who will be directly impacted by the so-called collapse. My industry (high-end computing sales/consulting) is employed by the auto industry and will feel an impact. Nevertheless, it is irresponsible for the taxpayers to hold up an industry so bloated and unwilling to make change. It's in the natural business cycle for companies to fail and their assets to evolve.

Letting the big 3 fail will probably hurt a lot of people in the process. Shoring them up may not hut so much now, but will probably hurt a lot more people in the long run. Don't sell our future generations down the river for short term gains.

In the event you actually read this email and decide to vote against a bailout of the auto industry, please do whatever you can to help save pensions of retired autoworkers. There's no sense punishing "the guy on the assembly line" for the poor decisions of corporate management.

Davin and Priscila Petersen