DENVER/CHICAGO — Detroit automakers deserve as much as $50 billion in government-backed loans, General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz was reported as saying in Chicago on Thursday. Later, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama set a timetable of 10 years to 'finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East.'Obama's lengthy acceptance speech in Denver on Thursday night was noteworthy in terms of the attention it paid to American autoworkers and the Detroit Big 3.'For the sake of our economy, our security and the future of our planet, I will set a clear goal as president,' Obama said. 'In 10 years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East.'Obama said he will 'help our auto companies retool, so that the fuel-efficient cars of the future are built right here in America. I'll make it easier for the American people to afford these new cars.'But he did not give specifics on how that goal will be achieved.Detroit has come knocking on Washington's door for help in getting out of the hole. GM's Lutz ramped up that effort in Chicago, saying that Americans should not think of loan guarantees to automakers as a bailout because the government would only act as a co-signer on the loans.'I do think the American automobile business is deserving of government loan guarantees because the financial institutions in the U.S. are so stressed out right now,' he said.Detroit's automakers are pressuring Congress to act by the end of September so that the money can be available next year.What this means to you: There's lots of talk about helping out Detroit, but no action thus far. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent