(shameless plug) I run a small business https://www.etsy.com/shop/hmcurriers selling handcrafted leather goods like iPad cases, messenger bags, backpacks, etc. We'd be more than happy to work out a design!

You're correct. Ford did not take any bailout money. While they benefited from the cash for clunkers program, the companies that REALLY made out, where toyota and honda. The whole rational behind the bailout loans for automakers was to keep them from going into bankruptcy, in which case they'd be restructured, any cash-draining deals could be redone, and anyone with a secured loan had a good shot at getting their money back. Instead, the secured investors lost their shirts under threat of government investigation, the unions (which were unsecured investors) took a chunk of the company, the head of GM was illegally fired and lost had his pension confiscated, and they went bankrupt anyway. This government is WAY out of hand, and they're proving it each and every day.

The spending programs arn't being effective. Jobless rates are over 10% (that they admit to, actual rates are 16-17%) A congressional report has recently surfaced saying that the banks taht they SAID were sound... weren't when they received the bailout, and most of them still aren't. The banks, (instead of making loans with the money) used the cash to buy up smaller banks. Ford is doing the best of the automakers with OUT taking any money. Cash for Clunkers cost the taxpayers $24,000 per car, while only paying out $4,500 per car. Then, instead of recycling (which you'd THINK they'd do due to the 'greenness' of our current administration) they destroyed the car! Note: The Constitution IS still the law of the land, and every one of those congress-critters and senators have taken an oath to uphold and defend it... While actively seeking to bypass it. None of the congressmen who voted for this bill has read the whole thing. That's negligence. The American people came out MANY times to say "HELL no!" to this bill... the latest being over 20,000 gathered over the past 3 days to roam the halls of the office buildings and ask the congressmen to explain the bill, only to have capital police called on several of them. One lady was told that attempting to question the congressman was a felony! One 70 yr old priest tried to talk to pelosi, only to be escorted from the building for "creating a disturbance"

Also, bear in mind the human factor. Not all cases are heard before a jury, and not all judges are up to date with either technology, OR the law. And there are other judges who completely disregard american law, and look to overseas law (which should get them immediately removed for dereliction of duty).

And not any other country that has even MORE impact on the climate? How about all those 3rd world countries that are working hard to catch up w/ us.... with NONE of the laws and controls that we have?