Reply #23: This article isn't about fuel standards

[fujiyama]

or domestic automakers' incompetence in focusing much of the '90s in producing little but SUVs and pick-up trucks, which I agree are part of the reason they are stuck in the rut they're in now.

It is, OTOH, about normal everyday working class people losing their jobs - and that should be a concern for everyone. This is an entire region heavily dependent on the auto industry. From the OEMs (the big 3), down the chain to suppliers, MI has been hit really hard. Though OH and other states neighboring us have been hit too.

The key is what to do about it? I oppose bail outs for these companies (and banks and other corporations too), but as I see what's going on, it seems like unions are losing their power.

The one thing I hear less from Obama and Hillary than I did from Edwards is executive and CEO compensation. There is NO WAY IN HELL, anyone can justify paying the CEO/top executives hundreds and in some cases thousands of times more than the average employee. Few mention it, but Toyota and Honda execs do well, but don't earn nearly as much as Ford and GM CEO/execs. The lack of universal health care is also costing automakers billions.

This has to be addressed across the board - across all industries. It's time to start actually capping pay on the upper levels.