Are TV bailouts next?

Almost weekly, there's another member of Congress floating the idea of a "bailout" (though they rarely use that word) of the most popular newspaper in their district. A new study from the Pew Research Center indicates more and more Americans think of television sets and other common household items, as a luxury and not a necessity. This could be, in part, because we are in recession and more people are forced to prioritize.

But I think the bigger issue is unrelated to the economy as it is right now. These items are becoming a luxury because they are being replaced by other items.

The need for a TV is far less today than it was even 5 years ago. Fans of TV shows can watch them online or on rented DVDs on computers. Other content on the internet provides a huge selection of diversions available so the near-monopoly that TV enjoyed on entertainment for decades is gone. I read more newspapers than anyone else I know -- but I am not a subscriber because I can read them all for free.

The Pew Research Center's information, if it's correct, will bring bad results for the makers of television sets. If those manufacturers don't find a new business model to keep up with today's technology, they will lose money in the coming years.

My hope is that we will learn from our experience with the G.M. and Chrysler car companies. I haven't heard a person yet who thinks Chrysler will survive, despite billions of dollars in "loans" from the federal government. And there aren't any serious people who think G.M. won't have to file bankruptcy, despite billions more in loans.

These companies produced more cars than drivers would consume. They paid more employees than they needed. They went broke, and it doesn't appear they'll come out of it easily.

Hopefully we're smart enough to see we can't save every industry. And hopefully we're wise enough to realize we shouldn't try.