Growing up in the suburbs of the Motor City, I have been embedded with a few simple rules. 1.Always cheer for the Red Wings! 2. Never go to Detroit at night and 3. Drive American. In the past, these rules have been pretty easy to follow. The Wings just won the cup, so how could I not cheer for them. I can’t navigate my to Detroit in the daytime so I’ll never make it at night and I can’t afford a new car so I’ll have to stick with my Ford. In the future, these rules might be a little harder to follow since the big three are in deep trouble. Most of Metro Detroit’s work force are employed by the Big Three so naturally, the numerous layoffs and buyouts have been a huge subject of local concern.
Michigan’s economy rides with the auto industry. Through hills and valleys, Michigan succeeds or suffers along with the Big Three. Since the auto industry, especially the Big Three, hasn’t been doing well, Michigan as taken a direct hit. The economy has taken a turn for the worst causing a shortage in jobs and a meltdown in the housing market. Its not hard for me to see the effect this has on my friends and family. Every time an auto maker announces another round of cuts, grim faces start to pop up all around the place. Its painful to watch the once proud community fade along with the car makers.
Although a government bailout would prevent the automakers from going into bankruptcy now, it would only delay the inevitable. The government should provide more funds and resources to allow for the Big Three to further develop hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles. Some might argue that a government bailout is unfair in a consumer driven market, but this is not the case. Having more auto makers only puts more pressure on the other to effectively research and produce alternative fuel vehicles. The overall result would be a vast amount of non-gasoline dependant vehicles manufactured at a cheaper price that would be more affordable for the average consumer.
Consumers will eventually see more options of lower priced hybrid vehicles if the government enacts assistance for the Big Three. Communities and families that are built and depend on the domestic automakers will also benefit greatly. Although a government bailout is not the most fair of things to do, it would restore a once joyful community in a small town called Canton.
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