If you're reading this, chances are you hate the Canadian Auto Workers.

Unions rarely get much sympathy in our comments section. If the CAW were a Canadian city, it would be Toronto; if a city hit by a snowstorm, then Vancouver.

But in this case, the CAW is not fighting for higher wages or better benefits -- it's trying to save its existence by pushing for federal loans to the automotive sector.

According to the Centre for Spatial Economics, if the Detroit Three disappear it could ultimately cost Canada 582,000 jobs -- that's approaching the entire population of Winnipeg. If the companies survive, but cut production by 50 per cent, Canada would lose 296,000 jobs.

The entire country would feel that loss. It would put a sizable dent in our Gross National Product, not to mention a heavy strain on our ability to support the unemployed.

"I would like to stress that this challenge is not just about saving the auto industry," CAW president Ken Lewenza recently said. "This is about our overall economy, and our future as a trading nation."

But judging by the majority of our comments, Lewenza is having a difficult time winning over the Canadian public. Many of our readers feel that their tax money would be wasted in a bailout, by going into the pockets of auto workers who have not made enough concessions.

It's something other industries and union leaders may want to pay attention to as they hone their communications techniques for troubled times.

This week, "LPP" neatly summed up what many readers have written on our website: "If this isn't the mentality of entitlement or what! Over half the population of Canada works for less than $30 hour with no benefits to boot."

Or, as "Oil Country" wrote: "Let's say you make $25/hr, that's about 50K/yr, how many people out there out of work, who lost that $10/hr job, would jump at the opportunity, to start at even $15/hr?"

Lewenza recently said union members "could work for free for a year, and it might prolong the life of GM by a week." He puts direct labour costs at about seven per cent for the production of a vehicle, and has claimed wages in Japan and Germany are higher.

Other comments have targeted the education of auto workers, as if lacking a university degree should automatically doom you to low pay. "GP" wrote: "I have to say that auto workers generally have little post secondary education but demand University degree wages...on what planet is this sustainable. Sorry union members it's just reality catching up with you."

The Detroit Three have found themselves on the wrong side of history, focusing too heavily on gas guzzlers and a broken business model made worse by the global credit freeze. Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of Canadians depend on those companies for their livelihoods.

A few readers took aim at the management of GM. This is a company that, led by Rick Wagoner, spent millions of dollars lobbying the U.S. congress in 2007 to change legislation aimed at reducing the amount of oil used for fuel in cars. On the other side of the world, Japanese automakers continued to focus on low-mileage vehicles like the Prius, Civic Hybrid or Yaris.

It may be no coincidence that in 2007 Toyota finally caught up to GM, matching sales of more than nine million vehicles worldwide.

One reader, "emran," said the Detroit Three needs to follow the example of Toyota and focus on smaller cars -- steps the automakers have already taken. "I know a lot of people who would love a new car. My wife and I purchased used, because it's cheaper. The labour is not the problem, it's the retail price consumers are avoiding."

A few readers also hurled criticism at Wagoner, after he had been pushed out of GM by U.S. President Barack Obama for a fresh leader to oversee the company's restructuring. Wagoner did not receive a severance deal, but according to ABC News his retirement package -- including benefits -- was worth around $23 million.

"Did any of you CAW bashers see how much Wagoner is going to get for GM losing billions?" wrote "Barry tillsonburg." "$23 million... Now get your pen and paper out and do the math. How many workers could get paid out of that? And don't you people think $23 million could be better used to help GM?"

One thing is clear: whatever the source of GM's problems, or any of the Detroit Three, more is at stake here than the wages of CAW or a handful of executives. I'll give the final say to "Lorne," who wrote: "Although I do not want to see any stimulus provided to the manufacturers, the ripple effect that will occur if the car makers close the doors will be tremendous. Businesses that deal with these car makers will also have to close their doors, resulting in further job losses. It makes a person wonder when common sense will prevail by all involved, so that we can get ourselves out of this economic dilemma."