I assume that you are referring to GM. That bailout was by no means cheap, but it wasn't 80 billion, either. According to Wikipedia:
> In total $51 billion taxpayer money has gone in the GM bailout.[90] Until December 10, 2013, the U. S. Treasury recovered $39 billion from selling its GM stake. The final cost of the GM bailout cost the U. S. taxpayer $12 billion ... [1]
I don't believe this affects your argument really, but I think it's important to try to keep the facts straight, especially about a subject as contentious (and I'd argue, significant) as the GM bailout.
So $12 billion to save 1.2 million jobs and $34.9 billion in annual tax revenue? Seems like a no brainer.
"According to a study by the Center for Automotive Research the GM bailout saved 1.2 million jobs and preserved $34.9 billion in tax revenue.[91]"
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2013/12/09/governme...
> In total $51 billion taxpayer money has gone in the GM bailout.[90] Until December 10, 2013, the U. S. Treasury recovered $39 billion from selling its GM stake. The final cost of the GM bailout cost the U. S. taxpayer $12 billion ... [1]
I don't believe this affects your argument really, but I think it's important to try to keep the facts straight, especially about a subject as contentious (and I'd argue, significant) as the GM bailout.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_Chapter_11_reor...