Automaker Stability?

GM and Chrysler got their early Christmas presents in the form of $17 bbbbillion! Both companies are expected and demanded to "get their house in order". Why did it take the White House to demand restructuring of these 2 huge auto makers? We all run our households and make financial decisions every day. I think that it works like this: (that's what my wife tells me anyway!) A certain amount of money comes into our household. There are bills to pay each month. If there are funds left over, that means we live on a pretty good budget and must be living in what our grandparents said was "within your means". If you were short at the end of the month you were living "beyond your means". Pretty simple, huh? This is a great country where honest, hard work is rewarded. Slough off or get complacent and things can get bad in a hurry. I can remember my Dad telling me that in the 1950's when someone bought a new car from his dealership, financing the purchase was never discussed. You just didn't buy a car unless you had the money! Today you can "charge" just about anything from gasoline to phone calls to a hot dog! The "gotta have it NOW" syndrome is a quick way to enter the "beyond your means" territory. I think that the auto makers just MIGHT be getting the message. This is truly their LAST CHANCE. I bet everyone at Chrysler and GM has 3/31/09 CIRCLED on their calender. Who'd a thought?