Modern Day Christian

              In the midst of a recession, the House of Representatives began the voting and refining process for the 15 billion dollar auto industry bailout. The industry has been collapsing due to poor management and the advent of the energy efficient car over SUVS and trucks. The issue of a bailout has been hotly debated and has become a focus point in recent weeks. The auto industry is eating through cash quicker than they can bring it in and without a bailout the "Big Three" will close their doors in a matter of months.
             Ok...so i totally sound like a news anchor wannabe but the issue of a bailout has been one of interest to me for several key reasons:

              Firstly, it strikes me how the two parties can't cooperate at all despite the fact that the backbone of America is crashing down over their ears. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) proposes that the bill be voted upon by the end of the week--Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said that his party wants to take a good, long look at the bill before it gets passed. Word is that the Republicans will try to block its progress...

               Secondly, I'm interested in a possible portion of this prospective bill that forces the "Big Three" to drop law suits they have with California and other states over excessive emission regulations. Im really rooting for this portion of the bill to pass--auto makers would be forced to be eco-friendly which is always good seeing as a healthy Earth means healthy humans. Also there's the little fact that Christians are supposed to be "good stewards" of the Earth and all that God has given them. Taking good care of the environment is a Christian's duty--but thats an argument for another day.

             Considering the scope of the story I can't help but notice the striking similarities that exist between this current situation and the parable of the Prodigal Son in the bible. The auto makers have wasted a lot of money with poor manufacturing and management decisions and now they're crawling back to the government asking for more money. The Feds are willing to grant the "Big Three" more money while the Republican Party watches with anger over what seems unfair...
          
            Now what exactly am I saying? Should we give a bailout? Should we not? I think from the Christian perspective a bailout is what needs to happen--that doesnt mean we have to be reckless though. There need to be clear regulations on the industry and their needs to be oversight in place--the oversight portion is actually being considered in the form of a "car czar". As someone who used to hate the idea of a bailout I'm starting to actually throw my support behind it.

            Whatever happens in all of this, times are most certainly going to get rougher... The church is in a position to help in ways that weren't possible before...

            The only question is whether or not we'll actually step up to the plate or let it all slide to the wayside...