Obama Calls For Hand Out to Auto Industry

Barak Obama and Jay Inslee call for a giant hand out for the auto industry in today's Boston Globe:

It's time to help the auto industry invest in more fuel-efficient cars, and we believe the federal government has a role in helping them do it. We've introduced a proposal called the ''Health Care for Hybrids" Act to address the challenges of the US auto industry and reduce our country's dependence on foreign oil at the same time.

This bill would set up a voluntary program in which automakers could choose to receive federal financial assistance towards their retiree healthcare costs. In return, the automakers would be required to reinvest these savings into developing fuel-efficient vehicles. As a result, our proposal would measurably reduce our nation's dependence on oil. Some of these technologies are already available and awaiting use by the Big Three.

Instead of a no-strings-attached financial bailout of the auto industry that could lead to factories being built overseas, our proposal could jumpstart the industry to commercialize new technology that consumers are demanding. More American hybrid cars also ensure that there is competition in this growing market, and would also help keep car prices low.

Our proposal addresses a complex problem in a way that strengthens the American economy. Autoworkers would get the healthcare they had been promised, the auto industry would be back on a competitive footing, and our reliance on foreign oil would be reduced.

So if you aren't an overpaid union auto worker you aren't going to get the Obama special treatment.I guess your industry didn't provide enough campaign contributions to Barak Obama to get his attention.If American auto makers can't make a good car at the right price why should they get federal government help?