First a little back story:

When the TARP first passed money was given out to businesses in the financial sector according to how much the business said that it needed in order to bring itself back from the brink of ruin. That really didn't seem to help the overall economy that much and shortly thereafter President Obama was on Jay Leno's show discussing the need for another round of money to be sent to the businesses that were still having trouble. Then there came the "Bonus Scandal" and what came out of that was a decision to change the rules so that things would be clearer in the future.

Now contrast that with the experience of the auto manufacturers:

The money that they have been allotted is considerably smaller than what was set aside for the financial district and they have to submit a proposal detailing how they will use the money that they are requesting. It is not uncommon for the proposal to be denied sending the company back to the drawing board. Finally President Obama has requested that the CEO of GM resign... and he did!

What is the rationale for the stark differences in how much money is given out and how freely it is done? This strikes me as especially odd considering that the financial sector is responsible for the overall economic downturn that is damaging the auto manufacturers! I have thought that the bailouts and stimulus packages were a bad idea from the beginning but I am even more perplexed by how the government is implementing them!