i don't think it was all that secret. i remember reading about it when it happened... and i wasn't even looking.

 

“We didn’t lose a dime, and in fact we made money on every one of them.”

This point always seems to get lost

 

GM repaid their "bail out" with TARP money, the govt gave them the money to pay back the govt. An to make that IPO viable they were given 45 billion in tax relief. So the first 45 billion gm makes they don't owe any tax on. I don't think it's bad to help save American companies an jobs, but enough with the ENRON accounting. Tell it like it is.

 

I do think that if GM had not taken the bailout, they would have reorganized, and come back on there own. I do remember when President Reagan increased the tarriff on foreign motorcycles to help Harley. Can't remember if he also gave them bail out money.

 

Most, if not all, farmers get government subsidies. I still gotta eat and I still gotta ride and the only motorcycles ive ever owned is Harley Davidson and Im not changing now...

 

Thanks Wild Bill, now I have to stip eating, damn farmers taking GOV.money.

In reality, your post brings up a good point, Gm, mopar, Harley are big corperations trying to survive.

 

I'm just wondering if HD has repaid the money or whether it's still a debt that's hanging over their head.

 

Chrysler was the first to get bail out money and was done under the Reagan administration. The Lee Iacoco came in and turned the company around. It is a tough call but we could possibly be looking at a complete collapse if key industries that have a strong contribution to our country's infrastructures begin failing.

 

Actually it's called "Liberal Accounting", and sadly pervasive these days....


Personally, I'm glad HD took what they needed to get them over the hump. Provided the taxpayer is completely reimbursed, unlike the now well publicized GM Jedi mind-f#@k, I don't have an issue with U.S. companies getting the TARP. I do, however, have a huge issue with foreign entities gaining access to U.S. taxpayer money to bolster their balance sheets overseas.

-Dusty

 

Nobody's perfect. A friend of mine bought an '06 sportster new. He made 2 payments & HD sent him the title! He tried several times to correct it over the phone & make payments, even sent the title back with his payment. They refused to take his money, or admit their oversight. Could you imagine??