So much for the American dream

Forty years. That's how long I've been in the auto business. Over those years I've sold cars as a salesman, worked as a general manager, partnered in a dealership and finally invested and opened my own Jeep dealership 10 years ago.

Two of my sons worked with me building the business day by day, car by car. It was touch and go at first, but we persevered and kept our heads above water. A few years later an opportunity presented itself to invest in a Ford dealership. Things were once again touch and go, but we had faith in our family-owned businesses and our qualified sales and managerial staff. We were living the American dream.

Then the economy went south. Barely on its feet, the Ford dealership was unable to stand on its own against a tight economy and we closed its doors. Carrying the loss, we gathered ourselves and fought against the coming tide at the Jeep dealership, day by day, car by car.

Then the Big Three were given notice and told to come up with a plan that would allow them to remain solvent. Unable to receive the same government monies as the banks and Wall Street, they were forced trim their budgets. GM and Chrysler were forced to close 3,000 dealerships ... mine included.

The closing dealerships will not be reimbursed for the loss of their investments. Thousands of employees will lose their jobs and some, unable to find meaningful work, will lose their homes. My dealership alone will release 36 employees, including my two sons. Forced to file bankruptcy, I will watch, stunned, as my American dream crumbles before my eyes, taking with it my livelihood and my home. The American dream has turned into a nightmare.

Carl Myers

Extreme Jeep

McHenry