While I’m one of many Americans who opposes the federal bailout of the Big Three automakers, I’m not looking at this situation as just how the taxpayers dollars are going to be put to work. I’m also looking at the upcoming decision by Congress on how to use those funds as a fundamental test of democracy.
When the United States government was first established, it was noted that the opinions and motives of the general public are not static, but rather are turbulent and oscillate with the zeitgeist of the era. In a poll released today, 61% of Americans are against the bailout of the Big Three. The opinions of the automakers and supporters of the bailout are that if it isn’t passed, the Big Three will surely go bankrupt and bring America with them. The CEO of Chrysler even claims it could spark a depression.
The decision now rests in the hands of our elected officials. Do they follow the opinions of their constituents, or do they make a decision they feel is in the best interests of the country? Only time will tell if their decision proves to be the wisest for the future (or fate?) of the country. This isn’t just a pivotal exercise of democracy in the modern day, but rather it is an exercise which has played out and been repeated over the last 230 years. I pray that the wisdom to make the right decision is with the Congressmen and women who will cast their votes in the days ahead on this issue.