Norman from Georgetown.....get the facts.... the auto workers are making $30.00 per hour now. Not too many Wal-Mart people are making even $10.00 per hour. 90 percent +/- of the Wal-Mart employees are working part-time and have no benefits and very little pay.

Martha Dodd-Slippy, Greensville County, VA, USA

I just read today that perhaps the bigger issue than job losses rippling through the USA economy, is that The Big Three automakers and their suppliers, if they fall domino-like into bankruptcy, that there are huge amounts of corporate bonds at risk. Any bailout is potentially far bigger. Check it.

Elaine , Colorado Springs CO , USA

All the indicators say the US is going to hurt more than anywhere else. Less cars is just the beginning.

Andy Dyer, London , UK,

The UAW can't see the forest for the trees. They say if they take a pay cut they won't get a living wage, yet they rack up so much personal debt buying huge homes,cars,boats on this unrealistically high salary they are getting, w/o saving, and aren't prepared financially for layoffs/emergencies.

Rae, Lincoln County, MO, USA

Welcome to the same economic battle-ground between Scotland and England that Labour has created. We will see much of the same here in the UK as 2009 unfolds.

clive, enfield,

Idiots ignore that the US car market has dropped from 17million to 11 million overnight - not that Americans prefer Honda - causing a crisis. Only the Herbert Hoover Republicans blame unions while the industry is burning. Keep it up - you'll be out for 50 years this time. Got a fire? Bring water.

richard block, London, UK

1 in 10 jobs (in America) are affected by the US auto industry. It's not an easy pill to swallow if you say to "let it go". In general, that is not what we are made of. When times get tough Americans are known for doing the work it takes to get through those tough times. Example to follow:

jjones, clearwater, florida, usa

Good Morning America! Wakey! Wakey!
The UK already tried the "economic experiment" of using public money to prop up car makers making undesirable cars with under-utilised over paid workers. It failed - three times - BMC, Leyland Triumph, Austin Rover. We crippled our national economy for nothing

Tony Ericson, Warwick, UK

After 9-11 Americans instictively came together. After India hotel massacre people are blaming instead of caring 1st. Is this a decent example? We have to come together and show compassion while deciding how to continue on. I am not employed by the auto industry but I only buy American makes.

jjones, clearwater, florida, usa

This is just the latest chapter in a long story. I recall a program on public radio about the impact of textile mills moving from North Carolina to China. One man mentioned that he was from Massachusetts, and his father had lost his job when the textile industry moved from there to North Carolina.

Mitch, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

It's a bit like this: give the Big Three the money now and millions remain employed. Don't give them the money and millions will be unemployed and the government will be footing the bill for welfare, vehicle warranty costs, and bankruptcy protection. Either way America, they're getting the money!

Scott, Toronto, Canada

It is not surprising that those seeking the bailout, who wish to prolong their entitlement position, will now look to a diversion. Let's stick to the facts. If all this money is poured into the Big Three will they survive? How much is this going to really cost? How will they decide who is next?

Glen, Toronto,

UAW workers already receive actual wages at level of Toyota workers, and last year agreed that new hires could be paid only half that (not enough to support a family on!). UAW has also already agreed to take some of the benefit burden off the companies and expressed willingness to surrender more.

J Manuel, Bella Vistam Arkansas, USA

I think the union vs conferate analogy is a bit of a stretch. This is more about classic protectionism of an inefficient industry. The fact these senators are republican, and therefore more likely to be free market advocates, is more important than the fact that they are from southern states.

Chenny, Sydney, Australia

The affect of a US motor vehicle industry meltdown will have far reaching affects on many other countries not just the U.S. The question, are these companies titanics awaiting to sink regardless of the short term assistance or are they able to restructure quickly enough and sail another day?

alan morton, Sydney, Australia

Nice to see a backbone being developed. These car makers only have themselves to blame and should not be bailed out by the tax payer.

Hamad Lone, London, England

Labor is 3% of GM's "problem", working for FREE won't reverse the Republican decimated economy. It's revenge on workers by Repgs for defeat in '08. Southern States have no problem providing BILLIONS to foreign manufactures (without health care/retiree legacy) to move into low wage areas. Class war!

Jess Wonderin, Los Angeles, USA

If the government gave american car companies a bailout, competition between american and foreign companies would make the market more available to consumers. N & S would get to keep their jobs and competition in the market would make more cars available to consumers who would stimulate the economy.

Kelly L, Cincinnati, OH, USA

Jim / Brisbane, I've always wondered the same thing. How many models of Chevy, Pontiac, Buick, Olds are the same thing with a different logo slapped on it? Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth? Same. Just enough differences, especially engines in GM, to make it totally inefficient.

Dana, Tacoma, USA

Well, well. Finally some Republicans with balls.

This isn't like the war between the states, silly. This is about keeping the UAW away from my paycheck.

Eric Meadley, Winston Salem, NC, USA

USA union auto workers make something like $70 an hour.
USA workers at Wal-Mart make about $10 an hour.

If US union auto wokers would agree to $30 an hour, stil 3 times Wal Mart workers pay, with comensurate pay for managers all the way up the line, the big 3 car makers could make money.

Norman , Georgetown,

My retirement plan is in shambles like everyone elses, yet the UAW expects my taxes to pay for their retirees benefits? Hey-bail me out when you are at it...

GM and Ford in the USA are health/care benefit companies that make a few cars-problem is the ridiculous pay/benefits that UAW members get!

Frank , Dove Canyon, CA/USA

The article identifies 10 car companies manufacturing in the USA. That means 10 management structures all doing the same thing. I say that is 9 too many. Also each company produces many models and the others copy. Just 2 examples of the many inefficiences. Effieciency first or no money?.

Jim Wills, Brisbane, Australia

If you read Atlas Shrugged, you will see how a work of fiction then is today's fact.

In American business and liberal politics the mantra is, "We spent our way into this mess; we will spend out way out!"

Dale Smith, Sammamish, WA, USA

In Tennessee, Both GM and Nissan have car plants. It is well known here that Nissan is a better environment to work. Nissan workers have voted against unionizing even when threatened by the UAW to unionize or else. Nissan is doing well. meanwhile, GM may shut down. So much for unions.

Jake, Nashville, USA

14 billion is simply not enough to make these businesses viable. As a result the money will be wasted so the "no" vote is right - they need to develop a more solid long term plan for approval. However, I suspect the motivations for the no vote are, as the correspondent points out, suspect.

Billy Barnett, HK,

How crazy, car makers going broke because people are not buying their cars. They want money from the government to make more cars that people won't buy. If the US government is intent on employment in this area, why not provide a system of grants, no interest loans or such like, to potential buyers

Tom Swann, Townsville, Australia

The split between the liberal elites of the North and East and the traditional American conservatives of the South is as old as the United States itself, it will never die.

miko, Singapore,