Top Ten Reasons to Save American Car Makers

Debates over what to do with the ailing automotive industry in North America are going on everywhere – on TV, at work, and at social gatherings sometimes causing family feuds and frayed friendships. We have heard some of the brightest and best give their opinions on what would be the best medicine for Detroit’s pain and frankly we aren’t convinced anyone really knows what to do. Every case made for and against a government bailout or bankruptcy presents a compelling argument.

One thing everyone seems to agree on is that losing the American automotive manufacturers would be bad, real bad. Another notion that will get most folks to nod their head yes is that in difficult times like this, humor can be very effective to ease one's pain.

So we’ve put together a David Letterman style top ten list of “Why We Should Bail Out the Detroit Three – A Classic Car Perspective”

10) All American cars will become classics overnight.

9) Fuel consumption will continue to increase bringing windfall profits to oil companies.

8) European classic car owners won’t have the American cars to make fun of.

7) American classic car owners can’t rib the Brits about the extinct British car industry.

6) We need to keep the alternative to metric tools and fasteners alive.

5) The automotive repair industry would be decimated if the Big Three weren’t producing.

4) The Lemon Law, cubic inches or psi might become obsolete.

3) The lucrative occupation of stealing American automotive innovation will disappear.

2) The French would be the only surviving car maker from the allied nations.

And the number one reason to Save Detroit

1) Driving American would mean John Deere or Caterpillar.

For a more reverent commentary about this dire situation that will impact us all, please check what our About.com colleagues and car comrades are saying at Hybrid Cars and Alt Fuels, Mustangs, and Used Cars.

Classic car aficionado Jay Leno spoke out last June in Portfolio.com about what he thinks would fix Detroit...read more.