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Bill to overturn dealer closings passes House vote

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Old Jul 17, 2009 | 10:55 AM
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Bill to overturn dealer closings passes House vote

http://www.leftlanenews.com/bill-to-...ouse-vote.html
Bill to overturn dealer closings passes House vote

A bill that seeks to overturn dealer closings at Chrysler and General Motors has passed the House and is now on its way to a Senate vote. The bill passed a House vote last night with a final tally of 219-208. Although the bill is now on to a Senate vote, it still faces heavy opposition, namely from the Obama administration.

If the bill is voted into law, Chrysler would have to reverse its decision to close 789 U.S. dealerships and GM would be forced to renew 1,300 franchise agreements recently earmarked for termination. Not surprisingly, both automakers oppose the measure.

“If Congress reverses this process, it flies in the face of a U.S. vehicle market that has declined 40 percent since 2007,” Chrysler Vice President Peter Grady said in a statement.
“Indeed, the U.S. dealer network was built to serve a market that once sold 16 million vehicles a year. Those days are gone.”

The Obama administration also opposes the bill as it will unravel bankruptcies at both automaker and billions in government funding. It remains to be seen if the bill has enough momentum to pass the Senate, but a vote is expected in the coming weeks.
Old Jul 17, 2009 | 11:14 AM
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As much as GM and Chrysler need to reduce dealers, if the closings were done without regard to bankruptcy laws, then I would support this bill (I don't know if they were or not). I think it's more important to ensure that established bankruptcy laws are followed in all cases, and can't be subverted by a presidental whim.

On the other hand, if the closings were done by the book, and this is just a case of congressmen trying go around the laws for sake of votes in their home riding, then this bill shouldn't pass.
Old Jul 17, 2009 | 11:18 AM
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Originally Posted by R377
On the other hand, if the closings were done by the book, and this is just a case of congressmen trying go around the laws for sake of votes in their home riding, then this bill shouldn't pass.
Thats exactly what it is. Its lead by a Senator from Ohio who had the most closings of all 50 states....atleast Chrysler dealers.
Old Jul 17, 2009 | 11:24 AM
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The closings were done by the book - but the book was rewritten right before the closings.

It's a double-edged sword...a catch-22. I despise gov't interference in private business, so my instinct is to oppose this bill without second thought. However, it was heavy gov't intervention that got all this going in the first place, so its a matter of "can two wrongs make a right in this case"?

They opened the can of worms....now those worms are crawling around in all kinds of cracks and crevices...
Old Jul 17, 2009 | 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Bob Cosby
The closings were done by the book - but the book was rewritten right before the closings.

It's a double-edged sword...a catch-22. I despise gov't interference in private business, so my instinct is to oppose this bill without second thought. However, it was heavy gov't intervention that got all this going in the first place, so its a matter of "can two wrongs make a right in this case"?

They opened the can of worms....now those worms are crawling around in all kinds of cracks and crevices...
I agree completely here. Closing all of these dealerships certainly won't help unemployment numbers (if certain people in DC even care about that number) but at the same time, here we have more Gov't dictation in "private" business. It will be interesting to see how things play out.
Old Jul 17, 2009 | 11:40 AM
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Won't go into law. If it passes the Senate, Obama will veto it. They don't have enough votes to override the veto.
Old Jul 17, 2009 | 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by rlchv70
Won't go into law. If it passes the Senate, Obama will veto it. They don't have enough votes to override the veto.
Good point.
Old Jul 17, 2009 | 03:05 PM
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Somebody already said it, but the rules were changed in the middle of the game so they could do this. This seems to be an ongoing theme with this administration though.

I don't necessarily think that having all of these dealerships was the right business thing to do, but I also don't think that the way that the bankruptcy laws that had existed in this country for almost 100 years were pissed on in the process is something that should be tolerated.

My leanings to following the rule of law are more powerful than my belief in what may or may not be the correct business model for the current automotive landscape.
Old Jul 17, 2009 | 03:17 PM
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I'd love to see my home town dealership re-authorized to sell and service Chevys but this bill is clearly just pandering to constitutes. If it does pass can someone tell me how exactly it will hurt GM. It doesn't cost them anything, the dealer pays for just about everything.

Originally Posted by El Duce
Somebody already said it, but the rules were changed in the middle of the game so they could do this. This seems to be an ongoing theme with this administration though.
you are such a tool, do you even read the articles, or just immediately post your anti Obama troll posts?

here is another = GM, Chrysler, White House officials try to block House bill reversing planned shutdowns

This is a bipartisan bill with a lot of Republican support.

Last edited by Z28x; Jul 17, 2009 at 03:31 PM.
Old Jul 17, 2009 | 03:18 PM
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From my understanding, the closings were done outside of bankruptcy. But they could have been done in bankruptcy as well.

I hope this won't get passed. This is vote pandering.
Old Jul 17, 2009 | 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by el duce
somebody already said it, but the rules were changed in the middle of the game so they could do this. This seems to be an ongoing theme with this administration though.

I don't necessarily think that having all of these dealerships was the right business thing to do, but i also don't think that the way that the bankruptcy laws that had existed in this country for almost 100 years were pissed on in the process is something that should be tolerated.

My leanings to following the rule of law are more powerful than my belief in what may or may not be the correct business model for the current automotive landscape.
3.6.3.
Old Jul 17, 2009 | 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Z28x
This is a bipartisan bill with a lot of Republican support.
Correct. I think what he is saying is that IF the dealerships are being closed as a result of playing fast and loose with established bankruptcy law, the sponsors of the bill are doing the right thing by effectively blocking it with this legislation. Rule of law before what's best for business.

Whether or not that is actually the case, I do not know. I'm sure there are gray, debatable areas somewhere in this.

Last edited by Z28Wilson; Jul 17, 2009 at 03:55 PM.
Old Jul 17, 2009 | 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Z28Wilson
Correct. I think what he is saying is that IF the dealerships are being closed as a result of playing fast and loose with established bankruptcy law, the sponsors of the bill are doing the right thing by effectively blocking it with this legislation. Rule of law before what's best for business.

Whether or not that is actually the case, I do not know. I'm sure there are gray, debatable areas somewhere in this.
No, he is just our newest Troll.
Old Jul 17, 2009 | 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Z28x
you are such a tool, do you even read the articles, or just immediately post your anti Obama troll posts?
Originally Posted by Z28x
No, he is just our newest Troll.
Wow, reading comprehension owns you yet again!

And you accusing someone of being a troll is completely laughable considering half the threads you make.



Originally Posted by Z28Wilson
I think what he is saying is that IF the dealerships are being closed as a result of playing fast and loose with established bankruptcy law, the sponsors of the bill are doing the right thing by effectively blocking it with this legislation. Rule of law before what's best for business.

Whether or not that is actually the case, I do not know. I'm sure there are gray, debatable areas somewhere in this.

And thank you. At least you're able to understand what is being written. This guy is simply looking for any angle on me since I embarrassed him in the "NK missile" thread and the "defense spending chart" thread.
Old Jul 17, 2009 | 04:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Z28x
No, he is just our newest Troll.
He's allowed to have an opinion (as long as he doesn't cross a line with the mods).

Neither you nor I nor (likely) anyone else here is a bankruptcy attorney. Quite frankly I don't have the time or the sanity to dive too deep into researching what laws were bent or broken, if any. From what I can gather, there were some gray areas, as I mentioned before. I'd think that often times there WILL be gray areas in such an unprecidented filing.



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