Why You Should Not Ask For Money In A Private Jet

Considering how lenient the government was in handing out money to the financial sector with its $700 billion, it is the difficulty that the auto industry is facing in trying to get funding of its own is almost pitiable. While Detroit's Big Three may not have done anything to merit a bailout, neither did the investment banks. It also does not help that support for an auto industry bailout has dropped since executives from the Big Three first traveled to Washington on private corporate jets to ask for money last month.

The moral of the story? When you want to get help from Congress, make sure public opinion is in your favor. Unlike the president, who wins by getting the most votes from the electoral congress, Congress members answer directly to the people, especially in the House of Representatives, where incumbents' only worry is over members of their district. Even the financial bailout plan, which also faced tough public opposition failed at first, and it was not until conciliatory "sweeteners" were added to appease Representatives from especially skeptical districts did the bill pass. However, the Big Three appeared to have learned a lesson - this time, their executives carpooled to Washington. In order to really save themselves, though, they will have to start paying more attention to what the public wants.