Bank Bailout Vs. Sneakie Auto Bailout (didn't notice, did you?)

GM and Ford sure found a good time to ask for some money from the government. Guess they aren't as bad at business as I thought. First of all, Michigan and Ohio will probably decide the presidential election and both employ a ton of autoworkers. Secondly, the banking industry is asking for $700 Billion, what's so bad about a couple car companies getting $25 Billion dollars yesterday and barely making the news!?!?! Seems like chump-change, right? Might as well toss a few bucks to American giants like GM and Ford, it's only fair... pfft.

Here's the breakdown as I see it:

Why is it needed?
Bank Bailout: Deemed necessary by almost every economist and government official to prevent the greatest depression many of us have ever witnessed.
Auto Bailout: Needed to secure votes in Michigan and Ohio (come on, are you ever going to buy a Malibu?)

Who benefits?
Bank Bailout: Everyone on earth
Auto Bailout: People who work for American automakers (in the short term), politicians, GM and Ford stockholders

Are you for serious?
Bank Bailout: Yes, the government will buy up securities and hold them as long as they need to, or sell them back at a profit. The auction system will ensure competitive forces are at work. Taxdollars will be cool as cucumbers.
Auto Bailout: Sorry, but GM and Ford have proven they move too slow and don't make good business decisions. They also have to pay union workers $50/hour to flip switches on robots. How can they compete with the world like that? (it's rhetorical... )

Sorry, I hate to be the bearer of bad news like that. To make matters even worse, you can't short these companies right now because the government has gone full speed ahead into chicken-with-heads-off-mode.

At the same time. I really hope I'm wrong about this. I like having an American auto industry. I just want them to do a better job at it. Here's $25 Billion dollars... go do a better job!