The capi di tutti di automibili Americani are having a little sit down today, to figure-out the best way to spend your tax money. GM CEO Rick Wagoner, Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli, Ford CEO Alan Mulally and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (who never met a union she didn’t like) and United Auto Workers President Ron Gettlefinger will meet to iron-out details of their federally-sponsored survival strategy. “I want you should know that our friends in Washington have been very kind,” Nardelli will pronounce. “I ask Mr. Wald and Mr. Vlasic of The New York Times to tell us the good news about the first 25 billion dollar payment, which, as you know could have been, shall we say, tied-up.” “The Energy Department usually takes more than a year to write rules;” the Timesmen report. “Congress gave it 60 days but it completed the work in about 30. The program, hurriedly passed by Congress as part of the budget for the fiscal year that began on Oct. 1, was given to the Energy Department because it is intended to finance the development of high-mileage car models or components for them.” “Notice the word ‘intended’.” [murmurs of assent] “There are still problems. Boys?” “Another complication is that before it can lend money, the Energy Department must conclude that the borrower has assets that exceed its liabilities, and is likely to be able to repay the principal and interest.” “Details, but important ones, I think you would agree. Our friend Ms. Pelosi is on the case and will report in due time. So… Next order of business. The next $25b. Our reporter friends will now leave the room. Ron?”
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Solidarity Forever!
(add a dose of UAW representation for Honda, Toyota, and Nissan plants in the US (via card check), and some import restrictions/tariffs and you have a pretty good summary of the plan)
So is this the from the same pool of money as the $700 billion bailout or are they utilizing new funds.
What I’m not 100% on is what the $700 billion can and cannot go to.
“But I didn’t know until this day that it was Hyundai all along”…
The question I have is what if they still can’t pay back these low-rate loans (where can I get that 4% rate?!)? I don’t find comfort in their assets, considering the Big 2.8’s liabilities, in part to the thugs at the UAW.
As a Jeep guy, I just bought a Honda. They deserve my money for always thinking ahead and building great cars. Frankly I can’t see why I’d ever buy a UAW built car ever again.
But I’m sure that Pelosi will pay back the UAW for all of their support!
Shaker,
Well done! I’ll add this: “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.”
Tex
Same money? New money? Anyone?
TexN:
Heh heh, a lot of great lines in the Godfather…
Has the management of these companies been lousy, certainly. However, how can you look at the fact that the UAW is the single largest common denominator and not think that it ought to be split up? I think everyone knows, but some are just bought off.