I have never been one to chime in on someone's rant, but you, sir are misinformed. Let me point out a few things to you.
A. The buyout is NOT over a two year period, it is given in one lump sum.
B. There is no 1099, it is all on your REGULAR W-2( if you make 45,000 on the line and 100,000 on the buyout, this equals 145,000.
C. I happen to go to a tax professional every year(not a tax service) and if you claim the right amount of deductions, have a mortgage, tax writeoffs, etc., you WILL get more of the buyout money back in the form of taxes.
D. It is easy to target the government for a company's shortfalls, just like it is easy to drop your trousers and take a leak in the street. Ford and the UAW are realizing the dire straits this company is in, and they are working together(for a change) on turning this company to profitability again. Should we start pointing fingers? NO! We should all try to get this company back to the top.