The auto industry and our governor are asking congress for $25 billion in loans to keep them from going under. I’ve read the governor’s case for making such an investment and it does seem compelling. Living in Michigan, with relatives that work for the car companies, I am deeply worried about the turn the economy might take if the big three are forced into bankruptcy. However, I haven’t heard what I need to in order to support such an investment.

First of all, the guys that have run these companies into the ground need to be gone. They’re infected with the short-term windfall virus. If they’re good and experienced at anything, it’s maximizing profits in the coming quarter. They’ve shown extremely poor performance when it comes to long-term viability, achieving energy independence and selling the American public on sustainable and conscientious modes of transportation. Unless they’re out of the picture, I am opposed to any handouts.

Secondly, I’ve heard many claims about the number of jobs that would be lost, the number of people that would be uninsured, and so on, if Ford/Chrysler/GM were to go under. This is indeed very worrisome and keeps me up at night. But surely, some of the operations would resurface somewhere. When companies go bankrupt, their assets don’t simply disappear. Much is absorbed by competitors or other industries. I haven’t heard a realistic analysis of what might occur on that front. Only the worst case scenario is presented. I’ve had more than my fill of fear-mongering from the current administration. If the governor, media and others can’t present a realistic analysis, I must withhold my support.

Finally, if I’m to support these loans, I want to know there’s a comprehensive plan in place that will do more than delay the big three’s ultimate demise. Why can’t the car companies treat the taxpayers and congress like investors? Give us an executive summary that tells us: who’s going to run the show and what their qualifications are; how operations are going to change to ensure long-term sustainability; how the big three will become competitive again with foreign automakers; and, what our return on investment will be and over what time-period. If they can’t do that, like any half-way competent banker, venture capitalist, angel investor or fund-manager, we should act wisely and direct our funds at programs that yield well-defined gains.

This morning I called my father, who has worked diligently on the Obama campaign, to share in his joy at the election results. We talked about some of the efforts he and my mom made over the years and he reminded me of a time when a cross was burned on our front yard in Detroit.  In the mid-60's my mother, Georgia Neubrecht, was dedicated to welcoming the black families that were moving into our neighborhood. There was strong opposition to an integrated community and whites were fleeing to the suburbs. My mother was determined to save Detroit, which she dearly loved and knew that if all the wealth fled it would have disastrous consequences. She talked to her neighbors, went to churches, PTA, League of Women Voter meetings and elsewhere, urging the community to welcome black citizens into the community. For this my parents were rewarded with a burning cross in our front yard.

The morning of this discovery, my father took down the cross and told my mother to pretend that nothing had happened. They didn’t tell my sister or me about it and my father told my mother that it would be best to forget about it and pretend it never happened. Keep it from us they did and I didn’t learn about the incident until I was 42 and we were planning my mother’s memorial service. However, my mother was not one to back down. My dad said that when he returned from work that day, he found that my mom had contacted all the local ministers. She had spoken with each, telling them about the event and imploring them to openly denounce such activities to their congregations.

Yesterday, we had a birthday party for Rita and Rose. It was their 6th and if my mother had lived to see these girls, she would have adored them. Her children and grandchildren were her biggest sources of pride and joy. However, I know that had she been living, if I had asked her to help with the party, she would have said “no way”. She would have been out their working on behalf of Obama until the polls closed without a minute to spare.

As a tireless fighter for civil rights and world peace, were she alive today, my mother would be reveling in yesterday’s victory. Throughout my life, I marveled at her ability to remain optimistic in the face of what sometimes seemed like overpowering bigotry and right-wing domination. This morning is proof to me that her efforts and the efforts of many others were not in vain. My mother was such an activist that I can’t imagine her afterlife being one of complacency. If she’s out there, she’s actively working to better some part of the universe. I imagine that she’s looked down on us this morning, smiled and briefly embraced the moment. One mission accomplished now on to other needed work. I think Obama has inspired that kind of attitude in many of us and with him at the helm, we’re up for the challenge.

A few nights ago, when I was tucking Rosie into bed, she gave me an idea for her birthday. She had seen a handheld video game on TV that comes with a little animal that resides inside the casement of the video game. She wanted me to look for it the next time I went shopping. I told her it would be helpful if I knew the name of the game and then I’d be able to look for it at the store. She said I should look for it on the Internet. I told her that I still needed to know the name. She said, “No Mom. Just go to a google search box and type in ‘video game that includes a stuffed animal’”.  Of course she was right but I was shocked that she knew exactly how to look for the item.

The next day, when she woke one of the first things she asked me was whether I or Andy had looked for the game on on the Internet.  I told her that we hadn't.  After kindergarten, she went to a friend's house and came home shortly before I had to meet Frankie at the end of his day. I ran over to the school and left Rita and Rose at home. When I returned, Rosie was at the computer looking at Google search results for “video game that comes with a stuffed animal”. She had typed that in all by herself!

A couple years ago when I started blogging and learning about things like Twitter, Youtube, MySpace and others, I told myself that those efforts would help me be a "mom-in-the-know"--that I'd be up on the way young people communicated and wouldn't be left in the dark while my kids forged their online identities.  Let's face it, I'm kidding myself.  By the time Rosie is 10, I expect she'll be way ahead of me.  Password protect my machine?  What a joke.  When she wants to do something, nothing can stop her--certainly not her mom's technological savvy.