Rather than propping them up, the government should allow them to go into Chapter 11 protection, and restructure the company so it can be profitable again. United Airlines went through Chapter 11 and emerged from it, and are still in business.
GM is going to fail, but the government will undoubtedly guide it through bankruptcy and otherwise prevent it from being torn apart and sold off piecemeal. Chrysler well likely be left to its own devices if it can't conclude a deal with Fiat.
Who is the opposition party? The question is can the government afford to take over GM.
The health and welfare payments to the present and retired workers under present contracts is what is driving up the cost of bailout and the price of product.
Then Congress gets lifetime benefits and they seem to think that is OK also they get a lifetime salary for retirement for 1 term of work.
If GM does file Chapter 11 or 7 it will overwhelm the PGIC which will have to take over the retirement from GM