The Futures Foundation

You've probably read that the US Senate had not reached an agreement for bailing out the automotive industry in the US.  The 'Big 3' auto makers, Ford, General Motors and Chrysler were keen for some additional support with GM claiming they wouldn't survive the new year without it.  The short termist and alarmist stock market panicked again off the back of the news of the 'non agreement'.

When an agreement wasn't reached, the media were quick to claim this was a 'failure', yet it might be a sign of the exact opposite for it could be the first sense that cooler heads are prevailing.  What if the lack of agreement is the first strong signal that the 'knee-jerk' reactions (arguably seen with the ridiculously constructed and ineffectual bank-bailout effort) is giving way to some serious and deeper thinking about what might be required to move forward positively?

The US Automotive giants have been asked for a plan - imagine that - rather than be given money with no strings attached, they have been asked by the US Senate to go away and THINK about what they intend to do to change they way they operate, such that they might actually have a chance at survival.  They have been asked to deliberately think about THEIR FUTURE and how they plan to engage with it.

The 'no deal' is perhaps the first sign of success at moving away from the financial melt down.  It won't be without pain and it is far better than perpetuating the blinkered and arguably hubris like approach to ongoing success that has placed the automakers in their current state of affairs.

Let's hope the Australian Goverment also asks for 'a plan' before doling out any taxpayer funds