Bloomberg reports that President Elect Barack Obama's transition team is taking a hard look at the possibility of a prepackaged bankruptcy for the Detroit's troubled automakers.
In a prepackaged filing, companies like General Motors (NYSE: GM) would head to the bankruptcy court with agreements already worked out with the major constituencies: workers, suppliers and lenders. Going in with a plan could cut down on some of the fear and uncertainty surrounding the filing and cut down on the time it would take for the company to work its way through the courts.
It's good to see that Obama is taking a sane, realistic approach to an auto industry bailout. There has been concern that the new administration would be too generous in the terms -- and stones will fly if a GM workout is done with anything other than a bankruptcy filing. Bloomberg adds that "the president-elect earlier urged Congress to approve as much as $50 billion to save automakers, using the model of Chrysler's bailout in 1979."
Right: because that one worked so well that they're coming back 30 years later -- billions in excess compensation later. It's true that the Chrysler loan was paid back quickly, but it allowed the company to buy time and not really confront any of the long-term problems that have proven to be its undoing.
Hopefully Obama will listen to his more conservative advisors and push for the bankruptcy option. It's the only one that makes sense.
Last updated: February 13, 2012: 09:31 AM
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-21-2008 @ 2:55PM
Pat said...
Mr. Wagoner of GM said there are millions of GM stockholders ( Funds (mutual & pension), widows, employees, retirees, and us common folks .
What happens to thier holdings in this Obama Prepackaged BK?
If they are worth zero, then once again the people who lived beyond their means ( home owners, credit card junkies, car loans,,,,,,) come out in a win win, had a great life and did not cost much !
So the lesson for the next generation will be : "LIVE IT UP, YOU DON"T HAVE TO PAY FOR YOUR MISTAKES "
11-21-2008 @ 3:08PM
David R. said...
That's a pretty ridiculous statement... "Live it up, you don't have to pay for your mistakes" sounds suspiciously like sour grapes.
Owners of GM stock should not expect a government bailout. "Us common folks" should not own GM stock if we need that money to retire and live comfortably. Stocks, all investments, can lose value and are an inherent risk. You take a risk, you could get hit.
If you can't handle the risk that your investment will become worthless, the stock is still worth money today, so be sure and sell.
11-21-2008 @ 3:31PM
Alfred Newman said...
Obviously Mr David R does not understand the concept of mutual funds or 401Ks. Hundreds, nay, thousands, nay millions of individuals have retirement packages tied to mutual funds or a combination thereof, not to mention individual stocks. Many of these mutual funds are invested 'across the board' including GM and the rest. Responsible retirement investing suggest that, as one gets older, they move money out of these investments into yes, perhaps less risky, investments but the younger among us are advised to invest in the future of our country and our companies. Then there are corporate bonds, a relatively low risk investment. Yes, there are GM corporate bonds. Investing is not an easy task and, yes, there is always some risk, but to not invest is simply ignorant. No, its not stupid to invest in the future. Its ignorant to say we should not.
11-21-2008 @ 4:55PM
sgentilejr said...
GM is in trouble because GMAC made mortgage loans...just as the banks did.
GM is also in trouble because they made auto loans. It is "WE the peopel" who did not repay their mortgage loans and auto loans to GM. So yes of course this is a federal government problem and it was caused by "WE the [people" who have not repaid the GMAC mortgage loans and their GM auto loans.
11-22-2008 @ 2:36AM
Will said...
With Obama killing off America so fast, and the planet, in all of our eyes and perceptions, and he hasn't even taken office yet, we are all fearing for Americas future and the future of the entire planet, more now than ever in human history. And it doesn't just begin in our futureless portfolios of change under Obama.
We are all feeling this way, except Obamas Democrat support team, Obamas internet trolls and the media. We are only beginning to historically pay for, and to be historically punished by, Obama, and he hasn't even truly begun his assault. There is nothing good about the future under Obama.
There is no future under Obama, and we all know this.
11-22-2008 @ 1:29PM
Jim said...
I am baffled by "will's" comment. How can we fault the unborn for our current condition? Perhaps Will meant 'the cancer of hate'.