Bailouts or socialism?

The bailouts are starting to raise quite a stir among the populace. Listening to NPR today, one of the callers was worried that he bailouts aren't fair across the board. Given the fact that the auto industry is getting different rules than the insurance giants like AIG, one must wonder if the government is poising to take over finance and industry.
With the insurance web, the help was attached with the allowance of bonuses that were promised before aid was given. Granted, the government required one of two choices, give it back or pay 90% taxes on the payouts. The auto industry was given orders to remove GM's CEO and merge with Fiat. It looks as if Chrysler is one its way out.
Now, here is my problem with the auto industry. First, the reason that the auto industry in this country is struggling is (and I hate saying this) the unions. I'm sorry, but tell me what person is truly worth 40-45 dollars an hour. Not that they don't fulfill a need, but one would think in the time of crisis within the industry, that the union members would be the first to take a paycut up to 50% to help keep themselves working and their company solvent.
I'm an ex steelworker. I have been union all my life (my father was AIW). But there comes a time when one must determine the difference between needs and wants.
I raise a family of seven on 9.48 an hour. I think that those working at GM, Ford, etc. can get by on 15-20 dollars an hour.
Second. The huge payouts, benefits, etc for the high ups (usually in excess of the millions) is ridiculous. We all agree to this.
Now, for the fear that the government is using this financial crisis to assume total control of all facets of our lives, maybe so. But what do we the eople do about it?Any of it? Nothing. Watching news of the G-20 summit in Europe today, I saw thousands march upon the area of the meeting, forcing their voices to be heard. Here we only have small demonstartins, if any, that don't amount to much. After WWI, th soldiers marched on Washington to get what was due them. In the 20's, women marched to gain the right to vote. In the 60's marches were formed to give all Americans the same civil liberties, end war, right of choice, women's lib. In the 80 marches were conducted too get research for aids, take back the streets from drugs. The 90's and early 2000's gave us the voice of the million man march, million dad march, marches against the war.
Here it is 2009, and we complain about the sour economy, we hash words about the new admin running our country, but what do we really do about it. Where are the marches, the pickets? Where is the spirit we had in the past? Where is the spirit we ahd over 200 years ago that led treasonous men to overthrow the crown? Where is that drive that gave black Americans and women the right to vote? Where is the just cause of the fight for the people that led to the government to shoot down WWI vets and students in Ohio?
The reason that government is allowed to mess with our constitutional rights is because good patriots arefew and far between. We hear groups like the NRA fight for the right to bear arms, but where is there voice on the other half of the nd ammendment? Why aren't they fighting for the right to form militias?
We sit around and rattle our sabers, but we fail to act.
I urge everyone to read two books by Thomas Paine, "Common Sense" and "The Rights of Man". To end, here is a quote by Thomas Paine.

The instant formal government is abolished, society begins to act. A general association takes place, and common interest produces common security. Thomas Paine