You tell me why the CEO has to have his own jet and why he has kept his job while the company has lost millions. Then tell me why no one ever mentions the cost of these executives to the cost of a new car and why these costs are never mentioned as a way to reduce costs and perhaphs save the company.  And finally if you believe in the fre market, and capitalism, GM should be allowed to fail and the market should be allowed to absorb the collapse.  I don't belive my tax dollars should be used to protect a few people who are over paid and have allowed an icon to fail.  Here are some facts to consider.

The CEOs of Chrysler Group, Ford and GM earned a combined total of $24.5 million in salaries, bonuses and other compensation in 2006.

The next four highest paid executives received average salary and other compensation of $1.3 million at Ford and $1.4 million at GM. These substantial sums do not include the value of stocks and stock options that were also part of executive compensation.

American autoworkers are among the most productive workers in the world. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the typical autoworker produces value added worth $206 per worker per hour.1 This is far more than he or she earns in wages, even when benefits, statutory contributions and other costs are included.

The total labor cost of a new vehicle produced in the United States is about $2,400,2 which includes direct, indirect and salaried labor for engines, stamping and assembly at the automakers’ plants.

This represents 8.4 percent of the typical $28,4513 price of a new vehicle in 2006. The vast majority of the costs of producing a vehicle and transporting it to a dealership and preparing it for sale – including design, engineering, marketing, raw materials, executive compensation and other costs – are not related to direct or indirect manufacturing labor.

It is not the UAW that has caused this, it is the management of GM.

Loan money if they break the union and switch over to clean air low fuel vehicles only

My wage is not $71.00 per hour.  It is $30.00 plus benefits and I am skilled labor.

KILL THE UNIONS!!  They are parasites - they have NO place in today's society.  Unions will inevitably kill the host to which they are attached.

Let them file bankruptcty and reorganize without the union.

I'm not afraid to work in a merit-based work place...neither should you!

Get rid of the unions, they will continue to destroy this country if we let them.

I do understand why they need the bailout ,but lets look at what the top exec. are making during this troublesome times.Maybe that is the real reason they are in this trouble.

The other auto makers have assembly plants in America also but they are in right to work states and are not union. Lets ask ourselves what the difference is ? unions thats the difference. At one point in our history we needed them, now we don't !

If GM is paying $71.00 an hour,the Union needs to be told to give up and compete with  Toyota.  If this and executive wages do not fall in line the car companies may as well sell their shingle and hang up a new one. "CLOSED " for the lack of interest.

Within the auto industry, you are dealing with problems similar to what happened to the steel industry.  The difference is that, at that time there were overseas subsidies for steel. The auto industry is not saddled with that problem.  The union must become competitive or lose their jobs.  As to the huge bill for retirees, this has to change also.  Bringing tooling from overseas, and setting a reasonable wage structure, as well as replacing management positions with fresh ideas might help.The government should not step in here until some changes are made.  71.00 an hour is outrageous for these  jobs. I.m sure when this situation becomes unravelled, and it probably is not yet, there will be more surprises requiring more money  I say let's pay our teachers who care for our children and our future that $71.00 per hour rather than the greedy people assembling the shiny new cars that are obsolete.  Lucky us.  We get to pay for the whole mess.

If the goverment gives GM bailout money, it should demand that GM give the design of the EV1 to the GOV - their first successfull all electric car that got 150 miles to a charge. It had no engine, less parts and did not require a oil change or very little maintenance. THiS WAS 10 YEARS AGO THAT GM ABANDONED THE CAR. At the time the battery was expensive and they were not sure how long it would last. If they kept at it every year, they would not be in this mess.

en.wikipedia.org/.../General_Motors_EV1