BAILOUT TIME FOR THE BIG THREE. NONE DARE CALL THEM REPUBLICANS

摘要

ADD THE NAMES of Michigan's three most prominent citizens to the list of unlikely grandees who've suddenly remembered they favor more big government. I'm talking about the newest members of the (don't) tax and (do) spend set, General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. Even before Wall Street came begging in September, America's annual budget deficit was expected to be about half a trillion dollars next year, but while we were sleeping, friendly legislators and an executive-grade platinum lobbying team from Detroit thoughtfully arranged to hold up the treasury for ＄ 25 billion in loan guarantees, as the quid-pro-quo part of the bill raising CAFE standards. But then sales were so bad, the companies decided that USD25 billion might not be enough, it might have to be USD50 billion. Or more. In risky loans to companies that are, let's face it, on the verge of bankruptcy. Then again, as Ford's Alan Mulally said, they're happy to take USD 25 billion now and talk about the test later.