For once I actually agree with virtually everything you said, especially loans to people who should never have received them nor could afford them.

The unfortunate part about unions however, well imho anyway (and btw, I too was a union member Teamsters Local 805) is that what started out as a good thing in many cases got out of hand. It can be seen in many of the presrnt union contracts that are way out of hand.
Going back to a post that John Zoesch made is only one perfect example.
I have absolutely nothing against anyone making a fair days wage for a fair days work. I do however have something against people getting paid for doing nothing, driving up costs and then when management finds they can no longer compete and decides to look for less expensive alternatives crying about losing their jobs.
Right now with this automobile bailout (as noted by Leo up above,) unions are not willing to negotiate givebacks but would rather risk losing the whole enchilada.
It's no wonder jobs are going to other parts of the world. Look at foreign car companies building plants in the U.S.
Workers are getting comperable wages, companies are making a profit and none of those seem to be in need of a bailout. What then is wrong with this picture?