Reply #68: Wow. I'm not sure where to begin

[420inTN]

I am of the firm belief that there is an excellent chance that no one will buy from the Big 3 even if only one of them files for Chapter 11, prepackaged or not. That is what the opinion surveys done on the subject say.

I couldn't care less about opinion surveys. If you you base your opinion upon surveys, imho, you need to do more independent thinking. Imho, people will buy the best deal they kind find. That's why Walmart has seen increased business during this recession. If I'm going to buy a new car, I don't care if it's an American brand or not, so long as it's the best deal I can get.

As others have pointed out in several threads, Chapter 11 is not the end-all of business. I've flown on USAir while it was in bankruptcy (both times it's been in bankruptcy). K-Mart came out of bankruptcy and bought Sears.
Now, I'm not ignoring that there will be significant economic and personal ramnifications if the Big 3 go into bankruptcy (although only two GM and Chrysler are facing immediate bankruptcy, Ford is still a bit healthier and can go another year before possibly needing to go into bankruptcy). I just don't see how gov't can run these businesses better than they have been run in the past.

Congress is completely unable to do such a job.

I agree.

As to the Post Office, it has improved its service to rural areas neglected by the private sector.

It's not that the private sector neglected rural areas so much as the Post Office had a legal monopoly on postal delivery. That's only changed in the past two decades.

As to Amtrak, it can be improved

I agree. It would definitely help Amtrak to have in charge someone who understood business. Of course, it would also help Amtrak to have those who control the congressional purse strings who understood business. :-)

I see a lot of posts here like yours, and, frankly, I really wonder what draws you and the others to the Democratic Party

I'm sorry, I didn't realize that there was a cookie-cutter definition or mold for Democrats. Personally, I'm a social liberal/moderate and fiscal conservative. My personal political belief is that I don't care how you live your life, it is your life, just don't ask me to pay for your screw-ups. I'm a strong believer in personal, and corporate, responsibility. If you run your life, or company, into the ground, it's your responsibility.

Now, that sucks for those honest workers who do their jobs well, only to be screwed by half-assed executives, but the only guarantees in life are death and taxes.