Corporate "suits" from the Detroit Big 3 showed up in Washington DC to testify before the US Congress on November 19 on why they needed to be part of the government's latest handout --- er, bailout --- program. It didn't help that they each flew there in their own private jet, folks.
In spite of the hostile treatment, apparently there's been a back-room deal cut for billions in US aid to head to Detroit's coffers soon. None of the details have been released but they should be leaking out soon.
Surprisingly, during the hearing the Big 3 repeatedly called the bailout a "bridge loan" but no one called it a bridge to nowhere, which many have argued it will be. We don't think so. Detroit needs the money, sure, but just paying last month's bills without changing the way the bills are generated isn't going to help the industry.
Meantime, there's no automatic relief here. Congress still has to pass a bill thru both houses and that won't be easy. Then the President has to sign off on it and that, too, won't be easy. It could easily take another month or two before it's done, and that is if it gets done at all.
So, don't count your dollar bills just yet, Detroit. There's still a lot of bricks to make before that bridge gets built, no matter where it's going.
Meanwhile, if you've got a lemon car or truck, you may want to try to settle up and get your money sooner rather than later --- just in case the bailout bails out and your lemon's manufacturer goes bust.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Known nationwide as a leading Lemon Law attorney, Ronald L. Burdge has represented literally thousands of consumers in "lemon" lawsuits and actively co-counsels and coaches other Consumer Law attorneys. From 2005 through 2018, attorney Ronald L. Burdge has been named as the only Lemon Law Ohio Super Lawyer by Law and Politics magazine and Thomson Reuters Corp., Professional Division. Burdge restricts his practice to Lemon Law and Consumer Law cases. The Ohio Super Lawyer results are published annually in the January issue of Cincinnati Magazine. Ronald L. Burdge was named Consumer Law Trial Lawyer of the Year 2004 by the National Association of Consumer Advocates, the nation's largest organization of consumer law private and government attorneys. "Your impact on the auto industry has been magnified many times over because of the trail you blazed for others," stated NACA's Executive Director, Will Ogburn. Burdge has represented thousands of consumers in Ohio, Kentucky and elsewhere since 1978 and is a frequent lecturer to national, state and local Bar Associations and Judicial organizations. Burdge is admitted to Ohio's state and federal courts, Kentucky's state courts, and Indiana's federal courts. Other court admissions are on a "pro hac" temporary, case by cases basis.