by:  Linda Law

   Previously when the first batch of Wall Street beggars came with their "tin cups" there was some chastizing about their arrival in company private planes, Luxury hotels and the above first class use of money.  Complete contradiction to the image of being "beggars with tin cups!".

   This week the Big Three or how ever many the list seems to climb... arrived in their "green" or "hybrid" cars, so as not to create additional hazing at the important senate meetings.  Although they all held out their "tin cups", it was done with more humbleness.... okay... this isn't funny!

   The more I thought about these CEO's, who are used to drawing multi-million dollar salaries, and having every first rate accomodation, as well as travel choices at their fingertips... well...I had to laugh....laugh hard!!  Can you just picture these guys with their $2000 suits, and $800 Ferragamo shoes, sitting behind the wheel of one of those little hybrid electric cars!!!!  Driving to the meeting.. having to stop every 40-50 miles to plug in to an electric outlet at a local 7-11 along the highway of hard luck.   While their econo vehicle (that they would never drive otherwise...) is charging, they go inside the store, pick up a Red Bull for the energy that it takes to drive and charge every hour, and also to pick up some snacks...like those 2 juicy hotdogs for 99 cents, and for $1.19 they can also get a bag of chips to go with the dogs, and....just maybe....a Twinkie.  

   Can you imagine if the mustard on those dogs drips onto their expensive white shirt and tie!  Oh well, they can go into the McDonalds next pit-stop and plug into something...there is bound to be a plug somewhere around there? Make use of the electricity needs, and while waiting...How about a double cheeseburger off the Dollar Menu, and a small fry with a tall Ice Tea for $1.00 ??  Oops, forgot... they can even get a box of those 2 apple pies for $1.00. 

  The purpose of this economic experience hopefully, is to come down to the level of those whose jobs are now in the balance due to their ineptness!!  Don't you know...they would not normally have had a hands on experience with their own product....and why they are not selling as well as those being made by other more solvent auto manufacturers.  Although I have mixed emotions about this "bailout"....I won't elaborate on why I agree or disagree... and I do fear what will happen to all these workers and the snowball effect that it will have all the way down the line....   It seems that this lesson in humility for these big CEO's is being targeted properly to some extent; altho, it seems that they are also being scrutenized to the max after Bush just "handed over" $700 billion to Wall Street and the bankers, who were the actual downfall to begin with!!! 

    Although this issue is far too complicated to go into in this article; my main purpose was the irony of it all.  Just envisioning these fat cats actually going to these hearings in their econo vehicles does bring a huge smile to my face!!!!

   Who knows.... perhaps you and I should get our own tin cups ready??  Nah...we don't count!!