Shelby believes, rather simply, that aside from the fact that the federal government should not become involved directly in the decision making of the private sector, money given to Detroit will be a colossal waste because the milquetoast nimrods running the companies and the militant dipsticks heading up the unions would never negotiate the solid footing necessary to remain viable.  I think Ron Gettelfinger's antics shortly after the bailout was approved indicate that Shelby was correct on the first point, and the fine details in whatever agreement is worked out between the government and the automakers will prove him correct on the second.