The U.S. auto industry is facing an unprecedented financial crisis, and one thing is certain: No matter what the decision, bailout or not, the consequences will be significant and far-reaching.

The Big Three-GM, Ford and Chrysler-have pled their cases. They claim that without government intervention, in the form of a $25 billion bailout, they will not survive. General Motors claims that without much-needed bailout money, they will be bankrupt before the end of the year.

But after enduring a year of record bailouts and bankruptcies, Americans are fed up. At a time when many people are struggling just to make ends meet, it seems unfair that giant corporations, which are struggling financially due to their own greed and mismanagement, continue to receive a helping hand from the government. It begs the question: Should every corporation stand outside the door of the Fed with their hands open, expecting to be given bailout money-without regret-from the American people?

However, even more unfair are the ramifications of the auto industry’s potential failure. This is yet another no-win situation. If the auto industry is left to face the fate it has created, an estimated 2.5 million people will lose their jobs. Virtually no one will go unaffected. Additionally, completely exporting an entire industry is bad for consumer confidence at best and a threat to national security at worst.

The auto industry does not deserve a bailout. The Big Three have made their beds, and like everyone else, they should be forced to lie in them. The hardworking Americans who have helped keep the companies running for so long should not have to pay the price for years of greed and

mismanagement.

The best answer to this multifaceted problem might be to look at this as a bailout for 2.5 million hard-working Americans, instead of for three greedy companies. But one thing must be made clear-If a bailout is granted, leadership at these companies must change. Auto industry executives have spent enough time lining their pockets at the expense of consumers and taxpayers. That was obvious when they arrived at Senate hearings in their private jets. It is time for greedy leaders to step aside and let those who have the best interest of the company, its employees and its consumers in mind step up and take the reigns.

High-powered business executives need to stop believing they are entitled to excessive luxuries in life and start leading their companies with integrity-for themselves, their companies, their employees and their consumers. Americans have had enough of bailing out companies that have egregiously overspent and under-managed in the name of money.