Control of media content by corporate America is pervasive and certainly not limited to automakers. Big Pharma, Big Chemical, Big Tobacco, Big Defense Contractor, Big everybody has a stranglehold on the media. To single out the auto industry may provide an example of the problem, but it doesn’t address the core issue: corruption and greed of the media.

The media aren’t seduced or bullied into taking Detroit’s money. Instead, they are often demanding bribes. Some of the media are like petty little despots who demand tribute or payment for admittance to the corridors of media power. The automakers, who clearly are no strangers to the power of money, pay the price to get what they want.

I would even suggest that the American public should accept some share of the blame for this situation. Rampant, ignorant consumerism is simultaneously a cause and effect of advertising. And tapping into the “I need more stuff” mentality unites the briber and the bribed.

In short, there are no victims here, only victimizers.