A Bailout by Any Other Name?

I love capitalism, or at least the theory of it. I really believe that a competitive market creates better products, for the most part. I worry about the indirect costs that aren't taken into account in unregulated capitalism. For instance, employers that pay their workers too little to eat properly, who then get sick and can't afford health care and end up needing public assistance. The company makes more money, but the community ends up contributing to their profit margin. But every system has flaws when it's implemented by human beings.

These recent bailouts have got me thinking. There's a lot of anti-socialism rhetoric out there, at least when it comes to feeding the hungry. But big business bail outs seem to be all the rage. We are talking about saving the auto industry. (Even though they've had over 30 years since the LAST oil crisis and didn't take that as a spur to increase production of fuel efficient vehicles.) I can understand the desire to avert massive layoffs. It's scary out there and we teeter on the edge of fear. I'm glad I'm not making those decisions because I doubt anyone really knows what's going to happen.

But let's have a non-profit bail out! All the grassroots, tiny organizations that struggle to meet their bills are going to be hit hard in this economic situation. And they never take private jets, anywhere. They recycle paper, use duct tape to hold equipment together, and have incredibly complicated ways of making things work, in order to save themselves money. 5% of what's been spent on all the big business could be used to bailout most of the smaller nonprofits in the country. Keeping the income steady for the employees will increase their ability to serve the under-served, who are likely to grow in this climate. And they will be able to continue to purchase things and keep the economy flowing in these tough times.

What do you think?