There are reports that say that
because of the "the new deal" spending back in the first depression, it took our country seven years longer to get back on its feet, and then the only reason we ever did is because of the wars, and the money the production of ships and goods and other things needed for that time. America is no longer a producing country, we make very little in fact. Therefore we have nothing of value to dig us out of the spending hole our last few government eras have created for us. Our money is even becoming worthless since we no longer back it with gold for every bill printed (gold standard).
I think that, sure, the fall of these companies would hurt, a lot, but they are going bankrupt dispite the money thrown at them. It is only slowing it down and paying the people that screwed it up. As far as the housing industry goes, what they should have done is forced all the banks that made the bad loan decisions lower the interest rates of all current loans to 1-3%, sure they won't make tons of money on them, but they were the greedy ones that decided that even though they knew these people couldn't pay them, they would loan the money so they could open more branches, etc (you'd have to research to understand if you don't know).
The car industry wouldn't have even a penny to its name if it wasn't for the investors (people with 401ks like the teachers and firefighters that invested in GM) but Obama and his administration decided that the workers unions are the ones to get the money, and the people that have bet their entire retirement on GM are SOL? The Unions are half the problem with the downfall of the big companies tanking now anyway. I'm not saying all unions are bad, trade unions help a lot of people to not get taken advantage of, but the auto unions basically ran the companies. They ran them into the dirt. When you have the mentality of "us vs them" in a company every one loses.
I worked in a paint factory for 6 years. It was non union, but we were treated very fairly. If we worked hard and were productive, didn't cause waste, made the company money, then we got raises. one year some of the workers were careless, caused spills, wasted tools and money, cost the company money. We did not get a raise that year, and when people griped, I told them why.
Most everything comes down to the "entitlement/blame others attitude", including the sue happy people that you mentioned Philly. That is one of the major causes of the downfall of our country. When people came to this country a couple generations ago, they were so happy to have the opportunities that were available to them in America, that they worked hard, earned what they got, and appreciated anything they were given.
Now laziness and corruption are rewarded, hard working people get discouraged, finding they have no reson to work hard, and nothing to work for. Anything they earn will be given to people that don't make any effort to help themselves.
to z ~
Food control bill
http://www.ftcldf.org/news/news-15june2009.htm I don't know about the Amish, but they are being very vague, another law they can adjust to suit their needs. I'm sure they'll pass it without notice until they start trying to regulate things then, when there is an outcry they will adjust it. Just like the children's clothing and toys- lead law that was going to put hundreds of little people out of business.