Inspired by this fantastic column from the Free Press…

People don’t like Detroit. Or at the very LEAST, they have a very, very negative opinion of the city. Reasons:

  1. It’s corrupt, dirty and crime-ridden. True, yes, but what cities aren’t? I’ll agree that the city probably doesn’t deserve a $10 billion bailout like they want, but you can’t simply say “No, you screwed up, get out.”
  2. Arrogant automakers. GM, Ford, and Chrysler have all felt like they have the power to tell the consumer what to own–an poor quality SUV that won’t make it past three years. People think the Detroit 3 only make cheap cars, gas guzzling SUVs, and they think Toyota makes great vehicles with great mileage. All of that are false stereotypes.
  3. The UAW. In general, unions in this country are frequently treated like socialist jerks who kick and scream until they get what they want. Again, an unfair characterization, because while UAW hasn’t helped the Detroit 3, they were doing the same things during the 70s and 80s when GM was the most prosperous company on the face of the Earth.

Again, like Tompor argues, why do people (and Washington) care more about the New York banks than the Detroit auto companies? I think the above reasons sum it up pretty well.

I’d also agree with what Sen. Carl Levin’s suggestion that GM CEO Rick Wagoner should get the boot if this bailout plan goes through.

But at least we again see Obama is thinking of Detroit, with these comments from 60 minutes tonight:

For the auto industry to completely collapse would be a disaster in this kind of environment,” Obama said. “So it’s my belief that we need to provide assistance to the auto industry. But I think that it can’t be a blank check.