Here's a thought on how to rescue GM, Ford and Chrysler from their imminent failure, have the cash rich oil companies - who they have worked so closely with over the years to impede implementation of alternative fuel technologies - write the check.

I mean they have suppressed development of alternative fuel technologies, and played a key role in making sure the 3 billion gallon a week gasoline business continues to power their vehicles. This has profoundly contributed to the making of trillions of dollars for the oil companies. It seems only fitting that the key benefactors of their gas only policy, flush with record profits, pay the bill to keep them going.

The story of the well woven conspiracy to kill electric cars is well documented in Chris Paine's film "Who Killed The Electric Car". Chris is among a handful of folks who leased the EV1 from GM until it was confiscated in 2003. Chris subsequently bought a Toyota RAV4 EV, the first full production, all electric vehicle offered for sale. He still drives it today, which along with the success of the toyota Prius, pretty much debunks the rhetoric that electric batteries are not ready for mass production.

Check out the Who Killed The Electric Car web site for more information, and pay attention to the bailout proposals. I propose that if the taxpayers are going to fund any company's survival it should come with terms and conditions in the public interest. Like mandates for the production of electric vehicles and fair and profitable terms for return on investment with clear guidelines on the use of any profits.

And for all the capitalist purists out there, no sweat - let the oil companies or anyone else in the private sector bail em out. They made the calls and now they must pay the price.