Washington, Dec 16, 2008 -

The economic calamity that would result from a collapse of the Big 3 automakers is obvious, but many Americans are glad the U.S. Senate foiled a bailout plan.

They see a bailout as a reward for doing business badly.

The Senate voted down the $15 billion plan because the Union of Automobile Workers and senators could not agree on a timetable for wage reductions.

The UAW agreed to trimming wages, but refused to commit on any timetable. That sank the deal approved in the House.

Lots of people see nothing wrong with cutting back the wages of someone who makes $70 or $80 an hour and gets generous benefits. They also know that although the Big 3 CEOs chose a more modest form of travel to a second round of talks with Congress, they still have their mega-expensive private jets.

People who have lost jobs have a hard time sympathizing.

For sure, bankruptcy of Chrysler, Ford or General Motors - much less all three - would be devastating.

Still, many people agree with U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, 10th Congressional District, who voted against the bailout plan in the House.

"Before a single dollar is extracted from taxpayers, a concrete reorganization plan should be presented to the American public and debated by their representatives in Washington. Instead, we're told, 'trust us and vote yes,'" McHenry said.

He cited a report in The Wall Street Journal in which American auto officials talked in depth about shipping car manufacturing and the production of parts and accessories to China. This was well before the Big 3 came hats in hand to Congress begging for a big-bucks rescue.

"What exactly is the point of saving so-called American automakers if the outcome will be job creation in China?" McHenry asks.

He's not alone. Several foreign car brands are made in the United States with American labor. At least one of the Big 3 depends on China for many components, including engines.

It's a good bet that the White House will rescue the Big 3. The president can obligate the public with an executive order. It will prevent an economic cataclysm, but we think complete accountability must be part of the deal.

And McHenry's right that the deal should save American jobs and the American economy and not have the result of sweetening Chinese profits.