Guess what Chrysler is spending bailout money on

Is Chrysler spending billions on R&D? Perhaps on some groundbreaking projects in New Tech? Actually, they're rolling out the same ol' same ol' and just launching a big PR (aka bullshit) campaign to educate people about who they are and why they make sense. This means they are essentially saying: we think these bad economic conditions are temporary. There is nothing wrong with us or how we do business so we are just gonna sit it out and ride out the storm.

Of course fundamental permanent change has come to the automakers. The Japanese know this. Even the South Africans know this (and are working on their own electric car). Chrysler and GM are going to be dead and buried before this year is out, and you know what, they thoroughly deserve to be for being so stoopid.

clipped from news.yahoo.com Chrysler, the third-largest U.S. automaker, received $4 billion from the government in January and has a May 1 deadline to create an alliance with Italian automaker Fiat SpA in order to receive up to $6 billion more in U.S. assistance. Chrysler is spending “to educate policy members about the company and the future of the automotive industry,” Todd Goyer, a Chrysler spokesman, said in a statement. “There is significant demand for education and information regarding Chrysler from legislators and government officials.” The expenditures were for “a wide range of issues,” including energy policy, development of electric and fuel- efficient vehicles, taxation, health care, trade and international affairs, he said.

Bailout to Taxpayers: We'll er...give you $110 Billion if you give us $700 Billion Now [YEAH RIGHT]

The initial 3 page document has been increased to 400, and included are tax break sweeteners amounting to around $110 billion. That's a bit like the kindergarten bully saying - give me your icecream now and tomorrow I will give it back to you, and I'll bring chocolate sauce along.

Well what happened to your ice icream?
I ate it. Now I want to eat yours.

The answer is "No."

clipped from news.yahoo.com The Senate's addition of some $110 billion in tax breaks and other sweeteners helped satisfy some Republican critics, but angered conservative so-called "Blue Dog" Democrats concerned about swelling the deficit. Still, Hoyer predicted the number of Democratic defectors from the measure "is going to be minimal." Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., a liberal opponent, is also reconsidering his vote, a spokeswoman said on Thursday. But Blumenauer wants to see a mechanism to pay for the bailout and more help for homeowners staring at foreclosure. It extends several tax breaks popular with businesses, which are favorites for most Republicans. It would keep the alternative minimum tax from hitting 20 million middle-income Americans, which appeals to lawmakers in both parties. And it would provide $8 billion in tax relief for those hit by natural disasters in the Midwest, Texas and Louisiana. Help for rural schools was aimed mainly at lawmakers in the West.