While the CEO's of the big three automakers have agreed to accept a mere $1 a year salary and the UAW has agreed to delay billions in payments to keep the auto companies afloat, a new poll shows six out of ten Americans polled oppose a bailout for the big three. Sixty percent.

Sixty-one percent of those questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey out Wednesday are dead set against the federal government providing billions of dollars in assistance the the auto makers, with 36 percent favoring such a bailout.

The poll, conducted Monday and Tuesday, also indicates that a majority of Americans, 53 percent, don't think government assistance for the auto makers will help the U.S. economy.

I'm more than a little confused about how over fifty percent of people don't understand how helping the automakers will help the economy. Are they thinking that the economy somehow would bounce back if the auto companies died?

"Only 15 percent say that they would be immediately affected if the auto companies went bankrupt," CNN Polling Director Keating Holland said.

I can't believe only 15% believe that they would be affected by the bankruptcy of the automakers. These people need to open their eyes and stop being so self-centered. Yes, when the auto industry is hurting whole cities can be destroyed. When all those people lose their jobs, homes, default on loans and mortgages, etc...it affects us all because it affects the economy.

Some states are already asking for federal help to pay unemployment benefits. This will only get worse if the autoworkers are all suddenly unemployed.

GM is already warning that it will run out of the money it needs to operate later this month unless it gets assistance from the government.

But it isn't just car companies.

Currently, so many California children are seeking subsidized school meals that funds to supply free or discounted breakfasts and lunches will dry up before the end of this academic year.

"The unprecedented demand for school meals is yet another example of how the economic downturn is causing many families in California to turn to schools to feed their children and stretch their grocery dollars," O'Connell said. "More students than anticipated have consumed school meals this year, which means we will likely run out of state money to support the Free and Reduced-Priced Meals program this fiscal year."

A high school in California is selling ad space on tests to be able to afford to print the test for students.

Outside of schools and the car companies:

Private employers cut 250,000 jobs in November, an unexpectedly large number and the biggest in seven years, while the service sector, which powers most of the economy, posted its worst slump on record.

Some divorced couples are staying together simply because they cannot afford not to.

"It's the lesser of two evils. I think the financial stress of a foreclosure, which would probably also lead to a bankruptcy, would be worse."

With the recession and the collapse of the housing market, more and more couples who have broken up are continuing to live under the same roof, according to judges and divorce lawyers. Some are waiting for housing prices to rebound; some are trying to get back on their feet financially.

Unless you are incredibly independently wealthy, these economic downturns affect us all. And in the off chance it doesn't personally affect you, that isn't an excuse to not care. To that 15% polled who don't seem to care because they don't think it will personally affect them...I find your attitude pathetic and sad.

In times of strife, we need unity. Not more economic or class divisions. People need help. It probably does affect you, but if not, you should still care.