I don't see how congress can let the big 3 fail and go into chapter 11 when a: chapter 11 has been resulting in chapter 7 for a lot of firms because they don't have access to the credit they need to get back on their feet and end up getting liquidated and b: all automakers are suffering from huge reductions in sales.  It's just that the import companies are healthier because they aren't burdened by legacy costs so they can absorb the losses better.  If the US had nationalized health care, for example, none of these guys would have to beg for a loan, so the gov't is in a sense implicit in their problems.  c: the banks, which created the credit crisis would have failed without government intervention - the automakers, who are victims of the credit crisis, get nothing?  Not even a loan?  Sheesh.  We bailed out Chrysler in 79 and got paid back at a profit and the company lasted another 29 years.

I think the automakers should demand that they DON'T have to pay back the money if congress fails to enact national health care legislation by March or whenever the loan would be due...

p.s. - don't ever fly in your corporate jet to the BAILOUT LOAN HEARINGS.  Obviously these guys aren't used to having to consider public opinion....