Dear GM, this is what happens when you don't let the gov't take over:

[2+2]

As of Sept. 30, Ford’s total debt was $24.2 billion, but with future pension contributions and payments owed to a retiree health care fund, the company’s total financial obligations are about $35 billion.

taken from this article

GM's and Chrysler's debt: just about zero. It's going to be interesting to watch how this plays out between the US automakers.

Btw, "government takeover" in the thread title reminds me, Jon Stewart did a hilarious impersonation of Glenn Beck the other night.