Bail-outs and other nautical allusions

All this talk about 'bail-outs' is begging the real issue.
Bail-outs are a total waste of reserves if the hole in the boat is not being repaired. What is being done to right the ship of state and the correct the course of the economy?
The citizens of the US are simply expected to float billions in loans to the Big 3 and the Wall Street scoundrels - billions which are not in the Treasury - which are never meant to be paid back and for which no account will be demanded.
If hope for our economy is based on the magnanimity, honesty and fair-mindedness of corporate leaders, we are sunk. It would be better to scuttle this ship and let the rats drown.