my personal opinion, the concept of a bailout makes some sense but congress has gone about it all wrong by sending money to just the top level. why not have the bailout pay for say, 10k in loans that each taxpayer owes (or money into their savings after that). paying off those loans would help the companies, which would end up helping all levels and the economy instead of just lining the pockets of the money rollers.
with the big 3, the executives screwed it all up for the longest time and need to be replaced. no other way to put it.