Cars, Banks and Confusion

Eugene Robinson / Truthdig Mar 31, 2009 The president is telling Detroit to shape up or die while at the same time politely asking Wall Street, whose recklessness and greed caused this economic crisis, if it would be so kind as to accept another heaping helping of taxpayer funds. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Obama Team Scraps Auto Bailout

Staff / Truthdig Mar 30, 2009 The Obama administration auto task force has sent both GM and Chrysler back to the drawing board, turning down requests for additional loans until the companies come up with more realistic restructuring plans. The government will prop up GM for two months while the automaker tries again. Chrysler has 30 days. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Downward Automobility

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig Feb 19, 2009 It makes sense to prop up ailing carmakers. Allowing GM and Chrysler to go bankrupt could be a triggering event that might make a very bad economy much worse. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

More Aid, Please

Staff / Truthdig Feb 18, 2009 General Motors, recipient of the 2009 "Nation's Most Resistant-to-Change Company That Still Gets Federal Assistance" award, wants more. The auto giant on Wednesday asked for $16.6 billion in loans, on top of the $13.4 billion already granted. All this amid GM plans to shed 47,000 jobs worldwide. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Auto Task Force … Activate!

Staff / Truthdig Feb 17, 2009 What's to be done about the floundering American automotive industry? Appoint a "car czar," you say? No, this is a job for a whole team of people, such as the newly formed Presidential Task Force on Autos. One small hitch: It'll be headed up by Timothy Geithner and Lawrence Summers. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Bush Passes Bailout Buck to Obama

Staff / Truthdig Dec 21, 2008 Although President Bush has kicked off the auto industry bailout process before leaving office, some would call Bush's strategy more of a punt to his presidential successor, Barack Obama. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

To the Bailoutmobile!

Staff / Truthdig Dec 19, 2008 In an avowed effort to save capitalism from itself, President Bush announced Friday that he would throw the Big Three failing auto companies a $17.4 billion lifesaver, siphoning that money from the initial $700 billion bailout slush fund authorized by Congress in October. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Bailout to Jump-Start Detroit

Staff / Truthdig Dec 10, 2008 Agreement has been reached between the White House and congressional Democrats to offer the U.S. auto industry a $14 billion emergency package aimed at keeping the Big Three going until spring. Also, in the grand tradition of state socialism, the deal includes a new auto "czar" to oversee the restructuring of Detroit. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Senator Tells GM Chief to Take a Hike

Staff / Truthdig Dec 8, 2008 As congressional leaders, the White House and President-elect Obama came to terms with a $15-billion loan package for the auto industry, Sen. Chris Dodd suggested Sunday that not all executives should stick around to spend that money. GM CEO Rick Wagoner "has to move on," the senator declared on "Face the Nation." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Poll: Auto Bailout Low on Fuel

Staff / Truthdig Dec 4, 2008 With a bailout of the Big Three hovering over our political landscape, popular opinion has signaled a considerable voice against any federal support for the failing auto industry. A poll shows 61% of Americans oppose a bailout, believing any government assistance would be both unfair and ineffective in fixing the economy. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Ford Asks Gov’t for $9 Billion

Staff / Truthdig Dec 3, 2008 After a dismal November, Ford Motor Co. is hanging by a thread, but the automaker told Congress on Tuesday that it is in better shape than Chrysler and General Motors and could make it through its current economic crisis with a little help -- to the tune of $9 billion in standby loans. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Neigh Sayer

Mr. Fish / Truthdig Dec 1, 2008 Dig deeper