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My gut told me the $700 billion for the banks was a bad idea. But I listened to the bankers and financial “experts” plead their cases and finally came around to acknowledging that it was “necessary”. I should have gone with my gut.

Now the three Detroit automakers are pleading their case to the public and congress. I can’t help but wonder what makes us think that the big three will ever be profitable again.

Realistically, will the big three be building cars that people want to buy in 3 years? 5 years? I don’t see it coming. So why should we loan money to an industry that isn’t sustainable?

If we let them fail, it will undoubtedly be painful. Not just for Detroit, not just for Michigan, but for every town that has an auto supplier, dealer or mechanic. I don’t think that many people are impervious to the effects.

But in the wake of the collapse of the auto industry will be an abundance of manufacturing facilities, a supply chain, and a skilled workforce with nothing to do. It thrills me to think of what can be accomplished if all of these are put to use building something that’s not just 20th century technology with cup-holders and heated seats.