The Cynic

Problematic GSE Bailout

Hmmm..., why protect bondholders and not stockholders?? Perhaps the anser depends on considering who the bondholders are and who the stockholders are. In the calculus of this decision, Paulson probably thought he could live with the possible hurt to the small banks and individual investors who have equity positions. But the large private institutions, central banks and foreign governments who have debt positions, well..., that's another matter.