One Solution

A proposal for a health care trust for all the Big Three's employees would save $116 billion of retiree obligations. This would supposedly make the industry profitable again. The UAW is against it. They believe the companies have a commitment to health benefits and they should not be able to get out of it.

The Crisis and the Gays

If GM, Chrysler, and Ford stopped providing same-sex benefits they would save "over $125 Million," according to RightMichigan.com.

Bush takes action in auto industry crisis

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/12/19/report-white-house-auto-industry-low-loans/
This article talks about Bush's plan to make the bridge loan to the Big 3 be drawn out of the 700 billion bailout for the banks. But the loans will be called back if the companies are not viable by March 31st.

GM Plan For Long-Term Viability to Congress

In this report to the Senate Banking Committee and the House Financial Services Committee, GM outlines why it needs "temporary Government funding," how it will be used and repaid, and why it will help the US economy. GM admits to making mistakes while promising more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Obama's plan for the Big 3.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/05/obama.auto/index.html
This article talks about President Obama's plans for the auto industry. Although it isn't one of his key issues, it is one of importance. It looks as if he has some ideas, but isn't going to act on them soon.

GM Q & A

GM answers several questions including their long-term plan for viability and why bankruptcy is not an option for GM. Links to other sites such as letters to legislators, New York Times and Wall Street Journal articles are given.

A warning for the Auto industry.

http://www.emotionreports.com/downloads/pdfs/USBIC_ER_Analysis_42906.pdf
This report was written by Sheila P. Rhonis PhD. This report warns that without any help from Washington the auto industry will collapse. The report also includes the history of the United States Business and Industry Council. The report also lists its resources that the information was pulled from.

Senate Record

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=110-s20081211-29
This is the actual transcript of the Senate meeting in which Senator Stabenow is telling the president that a bridge loan will only help Michigan's economy. Also the transcript includes the argument from opposing sides of the argument.

The Auto Industry Crisis

http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=59156f3c-9be9-4510-a96b-641bb2785c0c
This article speaks about the outcome of the loan for the auto industry and the problems that most American families face in this tough economic time. This article talked about the tough decisions that a family must make, either make a house payment or make the car payment.

Impact on Our Economy

The Center for Automotive Research did a study on the impact on the US economy if one or more of the Big 3 went under. They considered two situations: the companies stopping all production in the United States and what would happen if half of employment and production was stopped. Either of these could happen in the next year. They found three types of employment impacts including direct, indirect, and spin-off. In the "100 percent scenario" international production would also be halted because suppliers would not be able to stay in business. 3 million jobs would be lost if the Big Three closed down just in 2009. More would continue to be lost in the following years.