He Who Has the Gold Makes the Rules, Or So He Thinks

As I wrote in my most recent post, "Killing Chrysler," bankruptcy might be the best thing for debt holders. While I generally don't care for bankruptcy, it does happen, and the rights of both parties should be respected by law. However, with President Teleprompter and his union goons in office, what should be and are vary greatly.

The Wall Street Journal reports indirectly, in a piece titled, "Chrysler Pushed Into Fiat's Arms" (May 1, 2009), that TARP-backed banks were pressured to encourage other debt holders to accept the government's deal. People who switched to Allstate saved an average of $396 per year. Quote Now!

What becomes clear, as the story reports:

"The administration had repeatedly said it has no plans to run Chrysler or dictate its business plans. ... The pact allows the government and UAW to reorganize the company's top management."

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Interesting, President Teleprompter wants to reward the UAW goons with control over the third largest automaker, and then tell them what cars to make. Sounds crazy? Also from the article:

"Moreover, the government said it would use the agreement with Fiat and Chrysler to encourage fuel-efficient cars."

Didn't it seem strange to anybody that the President of the United States was announcing the bankruptcy of a publicly traded company? Have you wondered why the federal government is getting its nose and your money into these businesses and not just letting them fail naturally, under existing bankruptcy law?

Clearly, this is about political power, and the socializing of the U.S economy. Consider how President Teleprompter speaks about the debt holders seeking enforcement of their contractual rights and relief from the courts:

They "decided to hold out for the prospect of an unjustified, taxpayer-funded bailout," Mr. Obama charged. Were that not enough demonization, Cogressman for Life, Rep. Dingell (D. MI) calls the debt holders, "...'rogue hedge fund' and 'vultures' and said in a statement that they 'will now be dealt with accordingly in court.'

Wow, name calling, threats of court? This is just business, right? Not really, as this is really just a push to control as much industry as possible. Guess what GM, you're next!

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In less than 100 days, the federal government now owns 85% of one of the world's top insurance companies (AIG), and has its claws in the top banks via TARP. GM is next, and after that, health care. If this isn't stirring just a bit of worry in your mind, it better!!

My sincerest hope is that when the debt holders get to court, they plead their case, and the judge pays the secured debt holders their due. Further, I hope the judge pays each aggrieved party all they are entitled to under the law, and leaves President Teleprompter's dreams of industrial domination in the dirt.

Killing Chrysler

Make sure to read the follow up article, "He Who Has the Gold Makes the Rules, or So He Thinks."

While it is clear to everyone that Chrysler, owned by Cerberus Capital Management and Daimler is heading head long into financial ruin, its future isn't as clear.

In an article in the Wall Street Journal (April 29, 2009) titled "Key Lenders Agree to Chrysler Debt Swap," if the proposed debt swap goes through, the UAW will end up owning 55% of Chrysler. This assumes that bank-debt holders, due $6.9 billion will take $2 billion in cash.

If the deal goes through, Fiat will then "...finalize an alliance that would meet U.S. requirements to release $6 billion in new bailout loans." Oh, and this all has to be done by 30 April or Chrysler goes into bankruptcy. Shop DriveTime First! Bad credit, no credit, no problem. Apply on-line.


On the surface, this looks like a bad deal for bank-debt holders. Why should they just take $.27 on the dollar? Why not fight it out in bankruptcy court, as they and secured bond holders are the first to be paid? Also, the large lenders who have agreed thus far, J.P. Morgan Chase and Citigroup, just need the cash, and fast.

Perhaps the bond and debt holders recognize that company majority-owned by a union is a disaster waiting to happen, and they just want to cut their losses. People who switched to Allstate saved an average of $396 per year. Quote Now!

Further, with interference from President Teleprompter and his "czar", Ron Bloom, who knows what Chrysler will look like?

Personally, I think Chrysler is on the verge of becoming another British Leyland. There is one benefit though, watching the UAW strike against itself. The irony would just be too much. Free Shipping on orders over $100

Another reason bank-debt and bond holders should take this to bankruptcy court is that citizens of the U.S., through its elected (poorly) representatives, are going to provide additional billions to Chrysler. You think union corruption at the local level is bad, give them $6 billion of your hard earned dollars and see what happens!

Although I am not in a position to know all of the risk analysis of the various bank-debt holders, it does seem to be quite a quandary. Do you accept $.27 on the dollar now, in cash, or do you risk it, hoping that you will get your monthly or quarterly bond payments?

Finally, what will a union, majority-owned company mean for the rest of the U.S. auto industry? Its end? Or will it mean, at least under President Teleprompter, an endless supply of tax payer money to the UAW. Hmmm, what do you think?? GM, you know you are next!