Everyone has taken a hit with the struggling economy. Gas prices skyrocketed, the housing market collapsed and the stock market’s fluctuated. But no one financial struggle has an entitlement to governmental restitution over another.

The Associated Press reported on Nov. 11 that the top three auto makers from Detroit are looking to Congress for a helping hand.

Ford Motor Company and Chrysler LLC are asking Congress for a staggering $25 billion bailout, claiming the loss of 3 million jobs could result if no action is taken.

“I think people who are making doomsday predictions are exaggerating,” said Carl Campbell, associate economics professor.

Campbell said helping the auto industry wouldn’t be a bad idea, but he also said financial help may not be good for the economy.

Congress is expected to take a look at the proposed plan the week of Dec. 1.

“The plan would help the auto industry stay afloat as well as save jobs,” Campbell said. “The negative side is it would raise the budget deficit in addition to creating expectations that other industries will expect a bailout if facing financial difficulties.”

CEOs and other top officials in the auto industry who made poor decisions are now depending on the American public. Allowing the auto companies to fail seems like an easy solution. But people should avoid being shortsighted. To say auto companies should fail would be cutting off the source of income for approximately 3 million Americans.

Instead of only asking for money, auto companies must become competitive. They must stop producing large gas guzzling vehicles while the public purchases smaller, fuel-efficient cars, which tend to be cheaper if foreign-made.

The line must be drawn here and now. Aiding companies with administrators who make the poor decisions instead of helping a majority of hardworking individuals is a mistake.

The American public hasn’t gone to the auto industry and begged for financial aid. The auto industry shouldn’t come begging to us.