I'm sure many of you are aware that Detroit automakers are lobbying the government (and the public in their website GM Facts and Fiction) for a $25 billion bailout loan package. The CEOs of the Big Three automakers, General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler went before the House of Representative ... and got grilled over their use of private jets (estimated at $20,000 apiece):
Some lawmakers lashed out at the CEOs of the Big Three auto companies Wednesday for flying private jets to Washington to request taxpayer bailout money.
"There is a delicious irony in seeing private luxury jets flying into Washington, D.C., and people coming off of them with tin cups in their hand, saying that they're going to be trimming down and streamlining their businesses," Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-New York, told the chief executive officers of Ford, Chrysler and General Motors at a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee.
"It's almost like seeing a guy show up at the soup kitchen in high hat and tuxedo. It kind of makes you a little bit suspicious."
He added, "couldn't you all have downgraded to first class or jet-pooled or something to get here? It would have at least sent a message that you do get it."
What do you think - should the federal government bail out the automakers?
[poll=10]Update 11/19/08 - Here's a thoughtful op-ed piece by Mitt Romney at The New York Times: Link