https://pjmedia.com/rogerkimball/2008/12/12/when-bailout-means-payback-or-14billion-just-to-make-it-to-the-funeral/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usFri, 12 Jun 2026 03:40:42 -0400<![CDATA[Once upon a time, it was cheerfully said that &#8220;as Detroit goes, so goes America.&#8221; The same thing is being said to day, but in more worried tones. Is America the basket case that the American car industry is, hamstrung by asphyxiating labor contracts, saddled with crushing pension and health-care obligations, snagged in a purblind corporate culture that is out of touch with the consumer? I don&#8217;t think so, but the fact that grown-ups are seriously considering pumping billions of dollars into this failed industry makes me realize that many of our duly elected leaders are farther down that road than one would like.]]>Fri, 12 Dec 2008 06:41:36 -0500<![CDATA[Roger Kimball]]>https://pjmedia.com/roger-kimball/2008/12/12/when-bailout-means-payback-or-14billion-just-to-make-it-to-the-funeral-n115411