Mr. Lopate: Yale economist Rober Shiller reminds us in the Nov. 10 issue of The New Yorker that, "'bailout' has no entry in the twenty-volume OED."

Using the term "bailout" for every proposed government/private transaction is inaccurate and, frankly, lazy journalism.

If it a loan guarantee, asset purchase, capital infusion or subsidy, just say so. Using a catch-all meaningless term does little to advance thoughtful debate.

what about turning the big 3 into
the medium 10?

Do we risk 3 million people out of work or force the Big 3 to change their business model? And will a bailout sustain the automakers for 5 months before they come begging again? I read some interesting perspective on this at a blog about the bailout: http://www.thebailoutblog.com