Big news from the Government Accountability Office, as reported by USA Today: The U.S. government's investment of more than $80 billion in the domestic auto industry -- which bought it almost 10 percent of Chrysler and 61 percent of GM -- is unlikely to be fully recouped.

In order for the government to get paid back in full, both companies would have to grow more substantially than can be expected, according to the report. Treasury officials have stated that they are considering both public offerings and private sales in order to get rid of the government's stake in the companies, but have been mum about details so as not to further affect profitability.

You have to wonder if the government ever really expected to get all of that investment back. After all, it wasn't as if the government was just out shopping for a good deal and came across GM and Chrysler; the move seemed more like a stopgap measure to halt the economy's free fall, save some jobs, and avert further panic. All things considered, it seems to have done all of those things (albeit with your tax money and mine).

What are your thoughts? Should the government be more worried about recouping that investment in full, or in making sure these automakers have a viable future before they pull out?